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.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
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!
Friday, October 2, 2009
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.
Do you want to highlight your child's athletic accomplishment? Just send me a pic and have your child write about what happened.
Monday, September 21, 2009
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
