Upper School PE Teacher Nate Becklo’s innovative “Chain of Command” system presents a platoon-like structure for physical education, with students taking on both leadership and team roles – and then assessing and reflecting on their progress. A bit of background: As a Marine, Corporal Nate Becklo served as a  Machine Gunner (0331) and did a combat tour in Afghanistan during Operation Red Wings in ‘04/’05.  Mr. Becklo knows more than most about team building, resilience and motivation.

 As a physical education teacher here at Whitby School, Mr. Becklo is channeling the power of boot camp into an effective way to help his 5^th- through 8^th-grade students lead, form alliances and inspire each other on the playing field and in the gym.

Every four weeks, each class holds elections to name an overall class “Guide” and leaders for its “Alpha” and “Bravo” teams. Each team names a scribe to record team data and a greeter to welcome visitors and explain skills their teammates are sharpening.

 “I thought, let me take the personal experience of being in the Marine Corps and apply it to the classroom,” said Becklo, a Massachusetts native who left college after 9/11 to join the service. “The school didn’t have anything like this before.  I wanted the kids to start taking ownership of the class.”

Under the Guides and Team Leaders are up to eight team members, who take questions and concerns up the clearly delineated chain for resolution. Along the way, they help each other understand game rules, master glossary terms – and enjoy playing sports.

 “This is completely class oriented,” said Becklo. “They’ve really grabbed the bull by the horns.”

 A “glow and grow” process is crucial to the mix. Students reflect on their strengths and challenges in each role and take the opportunity to refine their skills along the way. After the four weeks, students can run for re-election, strive for another role or stay on as solid team members.

Whitby Design teacher Phil Lohmeyer created large-scale, reusable diagrams so students known at a glance who to turn to for guidance. Having a class scribe and greeter is perfectly aligned with the International Baccalaureate school’s initiatives and principles, he said.

"Nate and I started putting the 'Chain of Command' poster concept together when focusing on differentiation in PE class, and 'Making Teacher Intent Visible,'” Lohmeyer said. “Nate wanted to implement an organization system that drew from specific student strengths.”  

 Becklo enjoys watching both natural leaders and students who shun the spotlight understand the qualities that make up their unique leadership styles.

 “It really gives them an opportunity to grow,” he said.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to use Mr. Becklo's "Chain of Command" digrams for your own PE classes!