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!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
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.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
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"
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"
Monday, October 12, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
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!
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!
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