February Freeze

Is anyone else ready for spring? I sure am. I really enjoy taking the children outside when it is nice, and I have been thinking how nice that will be when we finally get a break from the cold and snow. We had a glimpse of warm temps this week which was nice.
Well, we have been stuck in the gyms, but of course we've been having lots of fun! The JK and PK children have been continuing their gymnastics units. The JK children are getting really skilled at walking across our big brown beam. Many have been choosing to walk across by themselves... so brave and focused! They are also working on pushing up to a front support on the bars. They like that I have been putting the bars up a few inches higher so they can challenge themselves. Most of the children can roll over the bar with a little help. And of course on the floor we have been rolling, jumping and landing, balancing, and so much more. We have many colorful sets of balance spots, and the children love to pretend they are crossing a river... but watch out for the alligators and sharks! In addition, we did some parachute this week to work specifically on the children's upper body strength. Of course they don't even know how hard they are working because it is so much fun. The children love to shake it, pop it, make mountains, and crawl on it and under it. But their all time favorite is to make a tent and "hide" from their classroom teachers at the end of class. We always seem to trick those classroom teachers, and you wouldn't believe how quiet the children can be inside those tents. I wish I had a permanent one at my house to keep my own children quiet sometimes.
The PK children got a chance to go across the "big brown beam" for the first time. Of course most of the children needed a hand, but no one was scared to try. We did an obstacle course this week where the children jumped, swung, bounced, ran, crawled, and so much more! We think this has to be one of the sweetest Pk classes we've ever had. I am a little biased though because one of the PK'ers lives at my house!
The first and second graders finished up their gymnastics unit. The first graders were assessed on walking across the big beam backwards and doing front support and roll over on the bars. The second graders were assessed on a short sequence on our big beam: mounting the beam, performing forward dips, turning to walk backwards, turning again to walk forward to the end of the beam, and dismounting. They also had to include a balance somewhere in their routine. The children really got into challenging themselves on the balances. Many children tried handstands, plank, and one foot balances with their eyes closed! In both first and second we also played some fun games on our big blue mat with the parachute and the big ball.
The third and fourth graders finished up their ice skating unit. We have been working on our skills during fun games and activities. I always enjoy watching the beginners progress throughout our unit. Some children can barely move along the ice when they start and now they are pushing and gliding a little. Amazing progress in only 9 days of skating. The fourth graders created their own routines, which turned out great. Many children chose to skate to music, which made their performances even more dramatic. Next week the third and fourth graders will be working on long jump and the PE Central Challenge (more info to come!).
Keep thinking warm thoughts and maybe the weather will cooperate!