This week in JK Physical Education, we played a fun new game called Thanksgiving tag. Of course since it is Thanksgiving everyone was hungry, turkeys and farmers. Well the turkeys had to go get the food, but watch out for the farmers who want to catch them for a Thanksgiving feast. Some turkeys were captured, but thankfully their turkey friends saved them so they could play again! We also worked on some tumbling skills on the big blue mat. The children love to do rocking horses, egg rolls, balances, and they are really good at making letter and number shapes with their bodies.
In first and second grade the big news is we started ice skating this week. Thanks to all the parents who came to help the children get their skates tied. The children had a super first day. Their skills are amazing! It will be fun to watch them develop over the next few weeks.
In third and fourth grade the children have been continuing to tumble on the big blue mat. I have been busy assessing them on rolling, handstands, cartwheels, and so much more. They are excited for after winter break when the rest of the equipment gets set up.
In fourth grade this week, I introduced a new activity that we will be doing in class called "Amazing Race: Wisconsin." The children were put into teams and they choose a team name and a team captain (who will serve for two weeks before they choose again). They will participate in physical and mental challenges to earn points to "travel" to different places throughout Wisconsin. I hope it will be a fun way to incorporate their Wisconsin studies into PE. The third graders will start an "Amazing Race: United States" once I get the fourth graders upI told the children it may take months for them to complete their journey; they looked worried, but I assured them it would be fun, exciting, and probably a little silly. Some wondered if they really had to go to all those places. I just love their minds!
It's a short week filled with more tumbling and skating. I hope you have a relaxing Thanksgiving! Stay active with your family.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A short week filled with fun!
This week in Junior Kindergarten PE we had so much fun. To start with, we played a JK favorite "Bowling for dollars." You may have seen the "money" come home in your child's school bag. The children take turns with a partner rolling a ball to knock down a bowling pin. If the children knock it down, they get earn a million dollars. WOW! All children were able to knock down several pins. Some of the children shared their money with their friends... so sweet. During the next class, they always ask to play again, but we'll do it later in the year. We'll end this week and start next week with tumbling and balancing on the big blue gymnastics mat. The children absolutely love to do gymnastics. After winter break we will take out the beams, bars, and vault... so many fun things to try!
In first grade PE, the children started tumbling on the big blue gymnastics mat. We have been focusing on pencil rolls, forward rolls, jumping and landing (on our feet of course), push-ups, and some other fun challenges. I have told the children they can practice at home if they ask mom and dad where a safe place would be. Some things they may want to show you are a turk stand (start sitting pretzel style, stand up without using your hands, pivot on balls of your feet and sit down pretzel style again... your other leg should be crossed in the front) and a frog stand (a hand balance where your knees rest on the back of your elbows... no head!). The children love to tell me how easy the tricks are for them. Skating starts Nov. 21. You should have received my email last week about the dates and times. We would love volunteers to tie skates right before class starts. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about skating.
In 2nd grade PE the children have been working on tumbling, specifically forward and backward rolls, handstands, and back-walkovers over the mailbox mat. We have also continued to work on cupstacking, a super hand-eye coordination activity. The children know how to do a 3-3-3 stack, and today they learned the 6 stack. The children want to know if they can use any cups to stack... of course they can, but they don't work as well as the "real" speed stacking cups, so some children have ordered their own sets. Orders are due Wednesday, Nov. 12, so if you desperately want a set, get your dollars to me by tomorrow. Skating starts Nov. 21. You should have received my email last week about the dates and times. We would love volunteers to tie skates right before class starts. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about skating.
In third grade PE we have been tumbling a little, juggling a little, and cup stacking a little. Right now our focus is juggling and cup stacking. The children have been working on a 3-3-3 stack and a 6 stack for cup stacking. This is an excellent activity to have in the car when you know you will be going somewhere you need to wait (doctor's office for example). Order forms for cups are bring sent home today... ahhhh! and due tomorrow... double ahhhhhh! The children have been juggling two scarves and some are now working on three.
In 4th grade PE we have been working very hard on juggling three things: scarves, balls, beanbags, deck rings. Some of the children are getting very skilled. They have been reporting to me that they have been juggling at home too. The 4th graders are also perfecting their cup stacking skills. They have learned the 3-3-3 and 6 stack. They have fun racing each other. Order forms for cups are bring sent home today... ahhhh! and due tomorrow... double ahhhhhh!
One other topic: Running and walking club. This club is completely optional for the first - 4thg graders. They do not need to sign up, just show up. They can come one time or every time. 1st and 2nd graders have their time on D days during recess. I take the children out to run/walk. We have run the cross country course and the track, but the children definitely prefer the cross country course. It seems to be a huge maze out in the middle of nowhere for them, but of course I am with them and know exactly where we are. I will be sad when our trails are closed due to snow... snowshoes anyone? The 3rd and 4th graders have running club with Mrs. Keily during recess on B days. Mrs. Keily records how many laps the children do. I do not record laps or distance for our younger friends. It has surprised both of us which children sometimes show up for running/walking club. Often we get children who do not seem to enjoy running during PE... they must be tricking us! On our run/walks, we always have fun conversations and see interesting things, especially on the cross country trails.
In first grade PE, the children started tumbling on the big blue gymnastics mat. We have been focusing on pencil rolls, forward rolls, jumping and landing (on our feet of course), push-ups, and some other fun challenges. I have told the children they can practice at home if they ask mom and dad where a safe place would be. Some things they may want to show you are a turk stand (start sitting pretzel style, stand up without using your hands, pivot on balls of your feet and sit down pretzel style again... your other leg should be crossed in the front) and a frog stand (a hand balance where your knees rest on the back of your elbows... no head!). The children love to tell me how easy the tricks are for them. Skating starts Nov. 21. You should have received my email last week about the dates and times. We would love volunteers to tie skates right before class starts. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about skating.
In 2nd grade PE the children have been working on tumbling, specifically forward and backward rolls, handstands, and back-walkovers over the mailbox mat. We have also continued to work on cupstacking, a super hand-eye coordination activity. The children know how to do a 3-3-3 stack, and today they learned the 6 stack. The children want to know if they can use any cups to stack... of course they can, but they don't work as well as the "real" speed stacking cups, so some children have ordered their own sets. Orders are due Wednesday, Nov. 12, so if you desperately want a set, get your dollars to me by tomorrow. Skating starts Nov. 21. You should have received my email last week about the dates and times. We would love volunteers to tie skates right before class starts. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about skating.
In third grade PE we have been tumbling a little, juggling a little, and cup stacking a little. Right now our focus is juggling and cup stacking. The children have been working on a 3-3-3 stack and a 6 stack for cup stacking. This is an excellent activity to have in the car when you know you will be going somewhere you need to wait (doctor's office for example). Order forms for cups are bring sent home today... ahhhh! and due tomorrow... double ahhhhhh! The children have been juggling two scarves and some are now working on three.
In 4th grade PE we have been working very hard on juggling three things: scarves, balls, beanbags, deck rings. Some of the children are getting very skilled. They have been reporting to me that they have been juggling at home too. The 4th graders are also perfecting their cup stacking skills. They have learned the 3-3-3 and 6 stack. They have fun racing each other. Order forms for cups are bring sent home today... ahhhh! and due tomorrow... double ahhhhhh!
One other topic: Running and walking club. This club is completely optional for the first - 4thg graders. They do not need to sign up, just show up. They can come one time or every time. 1st and 2nd graders have their time on D days during recess. I take the children out to run/walk. We have run the cross country course and the track, but the children definitely prefer the cross country course. It seems to be a huge maze out in the middle of nowhere for them, but of course I am with them and know exactly where we are. I will be sad when our trails are closed due to snow... snowshoes anyone? The 3rd and 4th graders have running club with Mrs. Keily during recess on B days. Mrs. Keily records how many laps the children do. I do not record laps or distance for our younger friends. It has surprised both of us which children sometimes show up for running/walking club. Often we get children who do not seem to enjoy running during PE... they must be tricking us! On our run/walks, we always have fun conversations and see interesting things, especially on the cross country trails.
Friday, November 7, 2008
So many fun and interesting things going on!
Sorry it has been so long since I have updated my blog... between my sick children, field trips, and my attendance at a professional conference, I have gotten a bit behind.
All 1st through 4th graders attended a field trip at the Childrens' Health Education Center. The programs are very fun and interactive. First grade attended "Bodies Alive." Second grade attended a digestive system program. Third grade attended a circulatory system program, and fourth grade attended "Energy Extreme." Check out their website for more info. http://www.bluekids.org/
First grade has been busy this week working on tumbling skills: rolling forward, backward, and sideways, and balancing on almost every body part. They love to tumble on the mats and do new stunts! Bridges, handstands, and rolls are all skills they can work on at home.... but I told them to ask mom and dad where a safe place would be before they flip onto your sofa.
Second grade has dabbled in tumbling and cup stacking this week. You may see an order form come home for ordering cups if your child wants a set (or maybe that would be a good holiday gift). In tumbling we are working on forward and backward rolls, handstands, and even back-walkovers over the mailbox mat.
In third grade the children will start juggling today and they have been cup stacking. We will continue both activities next week. The children can show you how they "toss, toss, catch, catch" with two scarves. Next week we will work on three scarves and then move onto beanbags and balls.
In fourth grade the children have been working on cup stacking and juggling in a cascading pattern. First we work with scarves and many can work their way up to beanbags, balls, and rings! It is very neat to watch them progress and when they get the pattern, there is a lot of excitement for that child. I have told the kids they can practice at home using the crinkly type of grocery bags... but don't use mom's scarves unless you ask first.
All 1st through 4th graders attended a field trip at the Childrens' Health Education Center. The programs are very fun and interactive. First grade attended "Bodies Alive." Second grade attended a digestive system program. Third grade attended a circulatory system program, and fourth grade attended "Energy Extreme." Check out their website for more info. http://www.bluekids.org/
First grade has been busy this week working on tumbling skills: rolling forward, backward, and sideways, and balancing on almost every body part. They love to tumble on the mats and do new stunts! Bridges, handstands, and rolls are all skills they can work on at home.... but I told them to ask mom and dad where a safe place would be before they flip onto your sofa.
Second grade has dabbled in tumbling and cup stacking this week. You may see an order form come home for ordering cups if your child wants a set (or maybe that would be a good holiday gift). In tumbling we are working on forward and backward rolls, handstands, and even back-walkovers over the mailbox mat.
In third grade the children will start juggling today and they have been cup stacking. We will continue both activities next week. The children can show you how they "toss, toss, catch, catch" with two scarves. Next week we will work on three scarves and then move onto beanbags and balls.
In fourth grade the children have been working on cup stacking and juggling in a cascading pattern. First we work with scarves and many can work their way up to beanbags, balls, and rings! It is very neat to watch them progress and when they get the pattern, there is a lot of excitement for that child. I have told the kids they can practice at home using the crinkly type of grocery bags... but don't use mom's scarves unless you ask first.
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