This week was full of lots of fun and action! To start, I met with the PK children on Monday morning. We are working very hard on the word Freeze. When the teacher says "freeze," the children need to stop their feet, look at the teacher, and stay quiet so they can listen to directions. You might want to practice this game at home. We tried playing while we were sitting on the circle; we played the drums with our hands and feet until we heard freeze. Then we tried it while moving in different ways around the gym: walking, running, skipping, tiptoeing, etc. The next activity we tried was moving to music. We listened to two songs: "This is the Way We Do It" and " The Bop." The children listened to the words of the music and moved according to what was sung. They did absolutely awesome! Finally we had a few minutes to play with some hula hoops and squishy soccer balls.
The JK children had an exciting class this week. We went on a bear hunt in our gym. Of course we all agreed there are no real bears in our school, only teddy bears! Ha!
We went down the road, over the bridge, through the wheat field, up and down a tree, across the river, and into a dark cave. Then we took a picture of the bear and ran all the way back home, of course passing all of the scenery we saw on the way out. Finally, we slammed the door and locked it up! Whhhheeeewww! But don't worry, we weren't scared since it was only pretend! We also got a chance to work on some simple ball skills, and we will continue next week... watch for more! HEY, CHECK OUT THE PICTURES IN MY LINK TO THE RIGHT!!! ALL JK FUN!
In first grade and second grade this week, we began our throwing and catching unit. The skills we are working on are underhand and overhand throwing, and catching. The children played a game called flip-the-cup where they try to flip a dome cone over by underhand throwing a bean bag at it. They practice by themselves and then played against a partner. I also introduced the overhand throw and we included catching in several of our games. Practice throwing and catching at home to reinforce this lifetime skills.
The third and fourth graders finished up their volleyball unit this week. We played "real" volleyball and learned several of the rules including 3 hits per team, one hit per person, rotating, service position, and a few net rules. The children really showed their positive sportsmanship, and we all agreed it would be more enjoyable if we just played for fun instead of keeping score. We learned that in my classroom when we play competitive games, you are allowed to keep score if you choose, but the score has to stay in your own head and cannot come out of your mouth. Our next unit for these two grade levels is tennis. We will be working on the drop-hit, forehand, backhand, and the volley. The children are allowed to bring their own rackets, but we do have enough for everyone.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Summer is Here?
Well it was a steamy one down here in the gym, but the children don't mind too much. I think summer is finally here!
PK did not have PE this week, but our next F day is Monday so stay tuned!
In JK PE this week we learned how to take out, share, safely use, and properly return equipment. Next week we will go on a bear hunt even though the only bears that live in our school are teddy bears. Fun!
In first grade PE we continued to work on striking beach balls. The assessment is striking a beach ball to a wall, letting it bounce back to the floor, and then keep the pattern going: strike, wall bounce, floor bounce. We also practiced hitting the balls over the volleyball net just for fun. Next week we move on to throwing and catching.
The second graders are perfecting their underhand serves over the volleyball net, and I have to tell you that they are getting pretty good! I really think they think they are playing "real" volleyball which is so exciting. Next week we start throwing and catching.
The third graders were introduced to setting, and continued their work on passing and underhand serving. We learned a fun game called "Keep It Up" where the children use passes and sets to keep the ball from hitting the floor. On Wednesday next week we start tennis.
In fourth grade PE the children also played keep it up and started learning how to play an actual game of volleyball. They get very pumped up when there is an actual rally.... how fun! On Wednesday next week the 4th graders start tennis.
By next week all of the children in 1st through 4th grades will have practiced part of the homecoming fun run. Our course is changed this year because of the construction. The Fun Run is schedule for Wednesday, September 30 at 2:30. Watch your Friday Folder for more information.
Friday I am out of the building, and our in-house sub Laura Fischer is my sub.
PK did not have PE this week, but our next F day is Monday so stay tuned!
In JK PE this week we learned how to take out, share, safely use, and properly return equipment. Next week we will go on a bear hunt even though the only bears that live in our school are teddy bears. Fun!
In first grade PE we continued to work on striking beach balls. The assessment is striking a beach ball to a wall, letting it bounce back to the floor, and then keep the pattern going: strike, wall bounce, floor bounce. We also practiced hitting the balls over the volleyball net just for fun. Next week we move on to throwing and catching.
The second graders are perfecting their underhand serves over the volleyball net, and I have to tell you that they are getting pretty good! I really think they think they are playing "real" volleyball which is so exciting. Next week we start throwing and catching.
The third graders were introduced to setting, and continued their work on passing and underhand serving. We learned a fun game called "Keep It Up" where the children use passes and sets to keep the ball from hitting the floor. On Wednesday next week we start tennis.
In fourth grade PE the children also played keep it up and started learning how to play an actual game of volleyball. They get very pumped up when there is an actual rally.... how fun! On Wednesday next week the 4th graders start tennis.
By next week all of the children in 1st through 4th grades will have practiced part of the homecoming fun run. Our course is changed this year because of the construction. The Fun Run is schedule for Wednesday, September 30 at 2:30. Watch your Friday Folder for more information.
Friday I am out of the building, and our in-house sub Laura Fischer is my sub.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Where are your gym shoes, Mrs. Griffin?
Oh, I do love all of the funny things my students say! This morning the JK students could not get over the fact that I was not wearing my regular tennis shoes, but instead some sportier athletic style shoes. "Where are YOUR gym shoes, Mrs. Griffin?" I guess it has been sticking in their heads that in the gym we need to wear our sneakers so we are safe and of course, we run our fastest when we have our gym shoes on. No crocs, sandals, flip flops, or boots please!
This week in PK PE we met for the first time in the big gym. We learned about the special rules we have when we come to the gyms. I blew my whistle softly and told the kids when they heard it they should stop their feet and listen. Then we pretended to be choo-choo trains all over the train track (aka the floor lines) in the gym. Finally, we pretended that the lines were snakes and logs in a big garden. The children ran and leaped over them!
In JK PE this week we learned two fun songs: "The Way We Do It" and "Bop Til You Drop." The children listen to the word of the song and follow me as we shake, jiggle, march, bop, and do all sorts of movements. We also reviewed how to freeze and find our own space.
In 1st and 2nd grade PE this week the children learned how to play Stuck in the Mud Tag (always a favorite!), and we are beginning our striking unit. The first graders are practicing hitting a beach ball underhand to a wall, letting it bounce once, and then keeping the pattern going. The second graders are learning to underhand serve beach balls and light-weight trainer volleyballs over the net. Of course the children are so excited because they really feel like they are playing volleyball!
The 3rd and 4th graders are getting pretty close to playing "real volleyball." We covered the skills of passing, setting, and underhand serving. We talk about some of the basic rules of volleyball, and next week we will play some fun lead-up games. The 4th graders culminate their unit with playing a "real game."
Have an active weekend!
This week in PK PE we met for the first time in the big gym. We learned about the special rules we have when we come to the gyms. I blew my whistle softly and told the kids when they heard it they should stop their feet and listen. Then we pretended to be choo-choo trains all over the train track (aka the floor lines) in the gym. Finally, we pretended that the lines were snakes and logs in a big garden. The children ran and leaped over them!
In JK PE this week we learned two fun songs: "The Way We Do It" and "Bop Til You Drop." The children listen to the word of the song and follow me as we shake, jiggle, march, bop, and do all sorts of movements. We also reviewed how to freeze and find our own space.
In 1st and 2nd grade PE this week the children learned how to play Stuck in the Mud Tag (always a favorite!), and we are beginning our striking unit. The first graders are practicing hitting a beach ball underhand to a wall, letting it bounce once, and then keeping the pattern going. The second graders are learning to underhand serve beach balls and light-weight trainer volleyballs over the net. Of course the children are so excited because they really feel like they are playing volleyball!
The 3rd and 4th graders are getting pretty close to playing "real volleyball." We covered the skills of passing, setting, and underhand serving. We talk about some of the basic rules of volleyball, and next week we will play some fun lead-up games. The 4th graders culminate their unit with playing a "real game."
Have an active weekend!
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