Jump, Stack, and Juggle and watch out for Bears, Spiders, and Flies!

The first and second graders have been busy busy busy during the past two weeks. They were introduced to speed stacking, and are in the middle of a jump rope unit. What the heck is speed stacking? Well, it is using special lightweight plastic cups to improve hand-eye coordination, right brain - left brain functioning, ambidexterity, and quickness. BUT the kids don't worry about all that... they just have fun building certain formations and taking them down. There is a method to the madness, and the children are catching on quickly; they are learning the patterns and how to go faster and faster. The second graders have been given the opportunity to order speed stack through our PE department. But anyone could order a set or learn more about the sport at www.speedstacks.com. I just return from the state PE convention at the end of October and I attended two speed stacking sessions which were absolutely packed with high speed action. I have already used several of the new games I learned with the kids and I swear I could have had them running for two hours if we had the time. In addition, we are also doing our jump rope unit. The children are working in their own rope, jumping with two feet together, on one foot, jogging through the rope, and doing several other challenges. I encourage you to promote jumping rope with your children. It is such an easy and inexpensive activity to take with you on the go, and it is a wonderful cardiovascular activity that the children really enjoy.
The third and fourth graders have also been working on speed stacking. Most have done stacking before and are getting much better that me! Their little hands can move so fast. They love to race each other. We have also been hard at work perfecting their juggling skills. Most of the third graders can do two scarves with one hand, but not three scarves in two hands. Most of the fourth graders can also do scarves in one hand, and are quickly catching on to juggling 3 scarves. Every day, a few fourth graders say "OH! I got it!" and once they get it, there is no turning back. Of course I encourage them to practice at home, but I also remind them that the can't use mom's scarves unless they ask first. Cheap plastic grocery bags also work fairly well too.
Oh my little PK friends are really growing their listening skills. It is totally amazing how far they have come since their first time in the gym. Last week we went on a "bear hunt." Don't worry though, the only bears in school are teddy bears! And our pretend bear chased us all the way home, but we got in the house first and clammed the door AND locked it AND hid under our bed. WHEW! The children suggested the locking of the door and hiding under the bed, and I have to tell you that they totally cracked me up hiding under their little imaginary beds!
My JK friends have continued to be so awesome this year. They are really loving the activitues we have been doing. This week they learned how to play "spiders and flies." It's a fun tag game where the taggers are the spiders and they try to eat the flies (okay, we decided that we really couldn't eat each other, so we gently tag each other with two fingers instead). Ask you JK'er what the flies and the spiders say. Usually they get pretty close, but they make me giggle a bit when they add a few words here and there! See what they tell you! We also tried some hula hoop challenges this week. The biggest hit is trying to roll your hula hoop and then run and go through it while it is moving along.
This past weekend I attended a Masala Bhangra instructor training, and I hope to incorporate some of the things I learned into our upcoming dance units. Bhangra is a folk dance from the northern part of India. I am also certified to teach Zumba which is based on Latin music and moves, so you might see your child trying to salsa, cumbia, or merengue in the next few weeks (I hope!).
My new favorite quote: "Sweat every day"