How many steps?

This week in third grade we are doing several lessons with pedometers. The children are trying numerous activities and learning how many steps each activity takes. The children also guessed how many steps they should be getting every day, and how many adult needs. Turns out children between the ages of 6-12 need approximately 12,000-15,000 steps every day to be at a healthy activity level. Adults need 10,000. Hmmmmm... the children wondered why adults need less. And how come it takes less steps to run if you are faster? And why don't I get many steps when I do crunches and push-ups? Lots of theories to discuss!

Climb Away!

The JK children had a chance to climb on our climbing wall this week for the first time this year. It was awesome to see how strong and confident they were. Some children took a bit of time to figure out how to get up and get going, but once they make some progression in one direction, they seem to just "get it." Our climbing wall is actually a traversing wall which means they climb horizontally instead of vertically. The children have to keep their feet below a big red line so they are a safe distance off the ground. There is also a nice cushy mat for their landing. The children know that just like in gymnastics when we jump, we should try to land on our feet. I wish we had this piece of equipment when I was growing up...

Scooters!

The PK children tried scooters for the first time today in the gym. Before they went for a ride, we talked a lot about safety. We have a few really important rules: no standing on the scooters, stay away from your friends (so you don't get your little fingers run over), and no crashing. Everyone was very careful. The children enjoyed riding the scooters on their bottoms, knees, and bellies. They liked going forwards, backwards, and especially liked spinning in circles. We will have several more opportunities to use scooters in the gym this spring!

Speed Stack Battlestack!

First day trying a new piece of equipment: battlestacks! The 3rd and 4th graders are having a fun time racing each other using our speedstacks. If you get your stack done first, you get to pop the button and make your opponents cups go flying! The children don't even realize how much hand-eye coordination they are working on. FUN in the gym for sure!

Jumping Beans

This week and last week my students in 1st - 4th grade have been jumping, jumping, jumping... the rope that is. The first and second graders have been working on long rope. We have talked daily about how each group is a team and they need to work together as turners and jumpers to do their best and help the jumper get the most jumps in a row. The children have been getting very excited when someone jumps a big number. They know that they are a part of helping that jumper.
The third and fourth graders have been working on jumping an individual short rope. The third graders have a sheet with over 30 different jumps to try. Plus they have been coming up with some of their own stunts. Here is a sample of some of the jumps the children have come up with (the names are fun, and the jumps are so creative!):
hopscotch, bunny hop, disco jump, feet chainsaw, the spell jump, sonic speed, helicopter, spin jump, the whip, superstar jump, heat stroke jump, eyes closed, and sing a song. And that's only about half of what they have come up with!
The fourth graders are working on performing and perfecting stunts too, but they are combining them to make their own routine. The routine must contain at least 5 stunts, and it must be memorized. The children really love to do this. They work hard to make the routines challenging and fun. Many add their own flair with beginning and ending poses or stunts (like cartwheeling to pick up their rope off the ground, then jumping backwards). I enjoy watching their routines every time I do this unit; there are always new twists the children create.
The JK children are wrapping up their gymnastics unit, and now we are moving on to reviewing some of the skills we worked on at the beginning of the year like throwing and rolling a ball.
The PK children will have a few more class in the gymnastics gym. They have been learning to jump and land on their feet, balance on a variety of equipment, swing on the bars, roll down the incline mats, and lots more! We are still also working on our listening skills, specifically when the teacher says "Freeze" the children should be able to stop their bodies, look at the teacher, and listen to directions. Some children are really experts at this while others really seem to struggle with this. You could play this game at home with your child to reinforce this concept. Have your child walk, run, skip, or gallop around until you say freeze. See if they can stop right right away and listen to the next locomotor movement you tell them to try.
Hope you are enjoying our recent snowfalls. I know my own children have spent hours playing outside, so we are getting some use out of the winter precip!

Gymnastics and Skating

This week has been filled with a lot of excitement in Physical Education. The children in PK, JK, 1st, and 2nd grades have started their gymnastics unit. We are so fortunate to have a big blue mat, 2 balance beams, 3 single bars, a vault, and lots of other mats and pieces of equipment to help us balance, roll, tumble, jump, leap, and so much more.
The 3rd and 4th graders started skating this past Friday and will continue next week. We have been working on forward skating, backward skating, stopping, crossovers, and some other fun tricks like dips, jumping, turning. The 4th graders are especially excited because they get to make up their own routine to perform. Some choose to do their routine to music. The routines in the past years have been wonderful to watch, so I am excited to see what this year's fourth graders will come up with. Some of the children also have asked to do an additional routine with a friend. The children really work hard to memorize and perfect their skills.
Stay warm!

3rd and 4th Ice Skating Dates

The third and fourth graders will begin skating soon. The skating dates are January 21, 25, 27, 28, February 1, 2, and 4. Third grade has a field trip on January 28th so they will not skate that day. Please remember to send sharpened skates, long socks (to prevent blisters), helmet, gloves/mittens, snowpants or sweatpants (to go over your child's school pants). The class skating times are during their regular PE times: Murray 12:30 - 1:00, Feldner 1:00 - 1:30, DeTorre 1:30 - 2:00, and Konik 2:00 - 2:30.

Potpourri: Skate, Throw, Catch, Jump, Scoot

It's been a fun week on the ice and in the gym!
Let's start with JK! My 4 year old friends have been learning about the safety rules for riding on a scooter, then practicing riding them in a safe way. Our scooter rules include no standing on the scooters (our most important rule), stay away from others on scooters, and be very careful of your hand and fingers on the scooter. The children have been so careful, but have also had fun exploring ways to ride. We also played with jump ropes again, and I reminded the children that when I was 4 I couldn't jump yet either.... BUT with practice and practice, and more practice they will be "so totally awesome" by the time they are in SK. And they really are getting better. Some have even mentioned that they might ask Santa for a rope.... great stocking stuffer!!!
The first and second graders have been amazing on the ice. Everyone can skate forwards and backwards, and most can stop on a signal. Their progress and enthusiasm has been great. I added some dancing on the ice this year, and the children really seem to enjoy the challenge. Plus it really works their balance and keeps them moving in a fun way!
The third and fourth graders are finishing their throwing and catching unit this week. We have been working on our form through drills, games, and a self-assessment. I think the biggest hit was a new game called castle ball where the children need to work together to build 3 castles for their team using 6 hula hoops for each castle. Then they try to knock down the other team's caslte by throwing balls. If one of your castles falls down, you can set it back up, but hurry because if all three are down at once the game is over. So much excitement in the gym!
The third graders also went out today and we had a couple of contests using the wet snow that fell last night: tallest snowman and prettiest. The children worked very hard for about 25 minutes straight, pushing around that heavy snow. I think I wore them out, and they had a blast working together and divising strategies for "winning" the contests. No prizes, just for fun! And it was SOOOOOO much fun!
I am gearing up for our last week before break! I know the children will have lots of energy and I am excited to help them use it! Stay safe on your winter drives.

Juggling and Speed Stacking in 3rd and 4th grade

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"

JK Dancing

Fitness Testing Week

The first, second, third, and fourth graders started their fitness testing this week. The children are tested on pull-ups, curl-ups, sit and reach, shuttle run, and a long distance run. The children have practiced for these tests during the last month, sometimes practicing the actual test and sometimes doing activities that promote different aspects of physical fitness. The children really take these tests seriously and sometimes get nervous for them, but generally they are also excited and proud of their accomplishments too!

Next week the first and second graders will finish up their fitness tests and move onto our bowling unit. The third and fourth graders will also finish up their fitness testing and start their soccer unit.... I am hoping for some warmer weather so we can play outside a little bit. The fourth graders will also be starting a long health unit from the Children's Health Education Center. The unit focuses on drug use prevention and basic knowledge. It is a new computer based program which looks absolutely awesome. Some of the activities can even be played at home.... more to come!

The JK children finished up last week with a favorite activity: bowling for dollars. We practiced bowling, and then during the next class the children earned "money" when they knocled down the pin from their spot on the ground. We did talk about how the money is just pretend, but I already know of one little friend who told his mommy about the "real money" they got at school. Ha! Everyone got money and they have asked when we get to play again.... perhaps in a few weeks. We did review our rolling skills in stations this week. Remember to step with your opposite foot and keep the ball on the ground (it shouldn't bounce).

The PK children had a great class on Wednesday this week. We reviewed our songs "This is the Way We Do It" and " Bop 'Til You Drop." SOOOOOO much fun to dance with the children! Then the children learned to play "I See" where the teacher says "I See" and the children say "what do you see?". Then the teacher tells them something they can pretend to be like birds flying in the sky or trains on the tracks. What fun!

Have a super weekend everyone! Stay warm!

Student Highlight

Congrats to 4th grader Eli M., who completed her first 5k run this weekend. She even beat her dad! Here is what she had to say about it: "I was extremely tired, but I managed to sprint the last few seconds. It was a beautiful day for a run. I loved being outside for awhile. My dad and I loved it. It was fantastic."

Do you want to highlight your child's athletic accomplishment? Just send me a pic and have your child write about what happened.

A fun-filled week

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.

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.

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!

It's a Great Day at USM!

Hi to all University School parents, students, and teachers! I am so excited to start my 10th year at USM. My classes these first two weeks have gone well, and I am excited to work with all the children. Usually at the end of each week I will update my blog with the weekly happenings in my PE classes. I hope you will follow my blog and leave comments! Of course students might read this blog so make sure your comments are child-friendly. If you have a more serious concern, you can always feel free to email or call. The first week in all of my classes I covered the rules of PE class, and we played some simple games to get the children used to my style of teaching.
Some important things for parents to help me with...
1. Make sure your child has properly fitting sneakers to wear. For JK parents I would prefer shoes with no ties as it is often frustrating for the children when their shoes come untied and they have to miss out on the activity several times. No crocs or sandals please, please, please!

2. Ask your child what they did in PE each week. Try to have them SHOW you skills we have worked on, and explain what the important parts are.

3. Keep your children active on the weekends in something active. Build healthy habits at a young age so physical activity is a regular part of their life.

4. If your child is injured or sick to the point where they cannot participate, please send a note via paper or email, or leave me a voice message. It is helpful to know what your child can and cannot do for that day.

Next week in JK, we will be working on locomotor activities (skipping, running, galloping, sliding, etc.) and freezing (like a statue). The first through fourth graders will start their volleyball units. We will also continue to practice for our fitness testing in a about a month. Pull-ups, curl-ups, and the distance run have all been introduced. The PK children will have their first class in the gym where the children will learn the basic rules (and of course play some fun and easy games!).

Spring is here???

The first though fourth grades are getting as confused as we are about this Wisconsin weather. One day we can go out to run and play, and the next day there is snow on the ground. Thankfully today was a super morning for the children to go out and run.
The first and second graders have been working on their throwing and catching all week, with a special focus on catching. The children used their hands, a velcro gripper (worn on their non-dominant hand like a baseball glove), and cones to catch all types of balls.
The third and fourth graders had a busy week with team building, the start of our floor hockey unit, and health. The third graders finished labeling their skeletons in our second lesson on the skeletal system. Then they had fun trying to touch their carpals to their scapula, their tibia to their clavicle, and so on.
The fourth graders had their "big talk" this week for our human growth and development unit. We answered all of the great questions they wrote on note cards after our visit to the Children's Health Education Center. I led the girls group and the girls were absolutely wonderful, asking so many questions. They even asked questions after we told them it was time to return to their classrooms. We could have been there for many more hours if the day wasn't ending. I hope you continue the conversations at home with your children. Good reports from the boys group too, although not quite as many questions.
In JK this week we again worked on our good throwing form, especially stepping with the opposite foot. Another continuing focus is jumping a self-turned short jump rope. Some of the children have been able to get one or two in a row in combination with their rope turning. The Pk'er have also been trying to jump their own rope. We have new ropes this year for our extra little PK and JK buddies so they aren't trying to use a rope that is too long. We talk about how it is okay if you can't jump yet, but by the time they are in first grade they will be "so super awesome!"

Countdown to spring break

One more week of cold, then we'll get to spring right? Oh I hope when we return to school after spring break that we'll have some warm and dry weather so we can go outside!
This week the PK'ers had fun at stations. Our big blue mat was still out (but the rest of our gymnastics equipment is back in our equipment room) so one station was jumping and balancing on a variety of our fun mat toys. The children also went to a hula hoop station, a ball station, and a jump rope station. WHAT? Jump rope for three and four-year olds? Yes!!! The children are very ready to try this fun activity. We talked about how this might be the first time some of the children have ever tried to jump a rope, and that with lots of practice they will learn how to jump like the older children. Almost all of the children could turn the rope over their head either forwards or backwards. Some children could turn it and then jump (the teachers helped put the rope closer and flat so they could jump it), and a few children could turn the rope and jump it once in combination. I also teach JK and 1st grade and I can really tell, even by JK, which children have experimented with a jump rope. I encourage you to get your child a rope and let them practice. What a great inexpensive activity that you can take practically anywhere!
The JK'ers had a fun, fun, fun activity on Friday which we love to watch the children do every year: The Volcano Floor. Mrs. DeSchryver and I take out TONS of equipment and put it all over the floor. We tell the children when they enter the gym that last night a volcano erupted and there is hot lava all over the floor. Be careful not to burn your feet! The children will try to make it to the other side of the hot lava by stepping on all of the equipment (or the rocks that didn't get covered by lava). The children absolutely love going back and forth, carefully balancing on the rocks and avoiding the lava. This is an activity the children could do easily at home with a few boxes, pieces of paper, etc. Some children had to double check that the floor really wouldn't burn their feet... "Are you just kidding, Mrs. Griffin?"
The first graders worked on many things this week. We started our soccer unit with our focus being on dribbling. But we may have to wait until after spring break to continue this fun activity. In keeping with the International Fair theme, on Tuesday the children joined with Mrs. Keily's class and we played 3 games from 3 different countries. It was fun to see how the children made the connection that they play many similar games that children from around the world play. Wednesday we also did a fun activity called a tabloid. The children are divided into teams and they have fun and sometimes silly challenges to do... but watch out, when the music stops, you have to hustle and get your team in a quiet straight line so you can say your score nice and loud. The second graders also started soccer and participated in the tabloid activity. What a fun morning!
The fourth graders continued their health unit focusing on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. This week we began our discussion on how to be a "Cool Refuser: How to Say No while keeping your friends and maintaining your dignity." Tuesday we talked about peer pressure and how it can be both negative and positive. We talked about how peer pressure is around us (even as adults) all the time and it influences almost every decision we make, good and bad. The children must have brought up the story about the girl who died recently in Whitefish Bay at least 5 times. They are very connected to the news, and we talked about how, as they get older, they will start hearing and reading more about things that happen to people who are involved in drug use. We talked about how poor choices can have long lasting effects on your life or the life of someone else. We talked about how sometimes people who we still want to be friends with can try to influence us to do things we know are wrong. We can use our positive peer pressure to encourage them to do the right thing. We talked about using our feelings and knowledge to help us make the best decisions; I was so amazed at the maturity and wisdom from the children. This is a great age to talk about your family values to your kids because they are mature enough to understand, and they still want to honor your values and do what is right. I really hope they can carry this information with them through middle school, high school, and beyond. The more they hear about what you believe, the more it sticks with them. I have taught health in middle and high school, and I can really tell which families have had these types of discussions with their children. Those kids know exactly where they stand and they know they have their family to back them up when a tough decision has to be made. If you don't know where to start, you can ask them what they learned in health with Mrs. Griffin this week, and I bet they will have lots of stories to share!
The third and fourth graders played a fun game this week called four goal soccer. Everyone is playing soccer, but instead of two goals there are four and you can try to score on any other team. If you score, you get to take a bowling pin back to your net. This game really gets the children huffing and puffing...lots of action, and lots of fun! On Friday the children will do their first tabloid. Read above for a description of a tabloid. The third and fourth graders are so focused and active!
I remind all of my students to stay active over break. Many of the children have ideas of how they can stay active: swimming, running, Wii Fit, biking, and so much more! I hope you encourage your children to exercise daily. I know many families are going to warm places where you can spend a lot of time outside which really lends itself to being active and healthy. I hope if you are traveling, you are safe and well. I look forward to warmer weather once we return!

February Finish

In PK this week the children once again got to play in the auxiliary gym for our gymnastics unit. The children did an obstacle course including tunnels, animals spots to jump on, stepping stones, the vault, beams, bars, and much more. We also played our favorite PK game, "I See" and the children are getting more and more imaginative with their movements. They are also improving on their locomotor movements such as skipping, galloping, jumping, hopping, and sliding. Ask your children to show you these things at home. Skipping is a skill that develops right and left brain coordination and can actually improve reading skills.
This week in JK Physical Education the children worked at three stations: the beams, bars, and the big blue mat. I encouraged the children to try walking on our lower blue beam backwards by themselves. Many children were excited about that new challenge. Some children even tried walking backwards on our higher brown beam with a hand. Wow! Many children are getting really good at rolling over a low bar. They also like to hang sideways and climb along the bar. On the floor we continue to work on balancing, rolling, and locomotor movements.
This week in 1st and second grade we started basketball. The skill I focus on the most is dribbling. Ask your child what they need to do to dribble with correct form. The children love to try dribbling tricks like the yo-yo dribble, dribbling under the legs, dribbling really low, dribbling with one finger at a time, and so many more! If you have a ball at home, ask the children to show you some of the tricks they have learned.
The third and fourth graders are working on two units: gymnastics and the PE Central Challenge. PE Central is a website that I use as a resource for my PE curriculum. The site sponsors a challenge that Jane Keily and I have done for many years with our 3rd and 4th graders. There are 6 challenges that the children can attempt to complete to earn a pin from PE Central. Visit pecentral.com to see the challenges!
The third graders have started an exciting project in class. Hopefully your child have brought home his or her Flat Stanley Fitness Adventure. Your child will be taking his or her own Flat Person Fitness Adventure. Your child's Flat Person, 6 stamps, and address of the person they are sending their Flat Person to are due Wednesday, March 4. Your child should have brought the complete directions home on Monday. If you have any questions, please give me a jingle at school.
In addition to the above units the fourth graders have started a health unit dealing with alcohol and other drugs. The focuses of the unit are having a basic understanding of the harmful effects of illegal drug use, and resisting peer pressure. The children took a short "quiz" to see what they know about drug use. We went through the answers and talked about many reasons why drug use can be harmful to our bodies and our minds. We do not get into specifics about each and every drug, although I do explain how alcohol and tobacco can be harmful our bodies. I have encouraged the children to talk to you if they have any questions or concerns. We have spent two days going over the 12 questions quiz and I bet we could spend 4 more days if I let the children talk as much as they want to. The children have so many questions, stories, and examples! The fourth graders agreed that they are at a good age to start learning about this topic because as they get a little older they might encounter situations where they will need to know facts about drugs, and they will need to have practiced saying no so they are not put on the spot. In my next lesson with the children they will be learning how to "say no" while keeping their friends and maintaining their dignity. They will role play how to say no to a number of situations where they might feel pressured to do something they know is wrong. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call or email. Many times children will not understand certain topics regarding drug use, and when they ask a question at home, it might come across in an unusual way. Plus, many children have questions about things they have seen on television or things other children have brought up in class. Rest assured I steer the topics towards ideas and concepts the children can comprehend. I hope you will share your family values regarding drug use with your child.