Kindergarten, First, and Second grades have been very busy with games and activities designed to promote cardiovascular fitness and upper body strength.  Push Up technique has been taught.  Many of these students are able to complete two to five push ups with correct technique. Kindergarten, First, and Second grade students are also beginning to learn and practice basic ball handling skills.  Kindergarten, First, and Second grade students will soon begin to practice skills that will be used in the P.E./Music program which will be held in May.
Students in Grades Three through Eight have been busy taking health related physical fitness tests. The results of these tests will be sent to parents in May. The results will show parents whether their student is in the "healthy fitness zone" in each of the four areas tested.  Areas include Cardiovascular endurance, upper body strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.

All students in Physical Education Classes have been very active each day in class. Kindergarten and First Grade classes have been working hard on underhand throwing and catching technique. They have been catching objects that are "self tossed," as well as objects that are "partner tossed." They have played games involving underhand throwing, such as "Knock the Pumpkins off the Fence."  Kindergarten and First Grade Students have also continued to practice motor skills such as galloping, skipping, jogging, and running. These motor skills have been included in games and activities such as "Stop and Go,"  "Alligators in the River,"  and "Crows and Cranes."

Second and Third grade students have been working hard on "Overhand Throwing" technique. They have played games incorporating the "Overhand Throw." Some of the games including the "Overhand Throw" include "Castles,"  "Move the Mountain,"  and  "Knock the Pumpkins off the Fence."  Second and Third grade students are also busy finishing the "Curl Up Test," which is the last of the "Health Related Physical Fitness Testing" battery.

Parents who have students in Grades 2-8 will be receiving a "Fitness Gram Report" that will allow parents to see if their child is in the "healthy fitness zone" in the areas of cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, and body mass index.

 

Students in Grades K thru 3 have been practicing the locomotor skills of galloping, running, jogging, and skipping. Many of these skills have been incorporated into fun games that the children enjoy playing, and give the students plenty of exercise.  Grades 2 and 3 also have continued Physical Fitness Testing.

Students in Grades 4 and 5 have been working on very basic volleyball skills and rules during PE class. Grade 4 has been playing "Catch Volleyball" which involves the skill of serving and a few other basic rules of volleyball. Grade 5 has also been playing "Catch Volleyball" and a simiilar type volleyball game which involves some passing/bumping skills. Students in Grades 4 and 5 have also continued Physical Fitness Testing.

Middle School Students have been playing Volleyball and a game called "Almost Anything Goes Volleyball" during PE classes.  "Almost Anything Goes Volleyball" heavily stresses the skill of passing/bumping a volleyball, and has other rules which allow even those students with limited volleyball experience the opportunity to practice passing/bumping a volleyball and have success during the game.  Students in Middle School have also continued Physical Fitness Testing.

 

Kindergarten and First Grade students have been very busy during P.E. classes.  They have learned the class rules, and also have been playing games and performing activities that have simple rules.  These students have been working hard on the skill of "Skipping."  Some of the games they have played include "Stop and Go Skipping,"  "Crows and Cranes,"  and "Alligators in the River."  The importance of playing by rules of games and activites has been heavily stressed. It is good to see that most of the students in Kindergarten and First Grade are able to skip quite well. You might want to have your student show you how well they skip. If they seem to be having a problem skipping you may want to work with them at home on this skill. I will also continue to work with students on skipping during PE classes.

 

Health Related Physical Fitness testing is beginning in 2nd through 8th grades.  The test used is called Fitness Gram.  Fitness Gram is a complete battery of health-related fitness items that are scored using criterion-referenced standards.  These standards are age and gender specific and are established based on how fit children need to be for good health. This test is designed to assess cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition.  A Fitness Gram report that summarizes each child's performance on each component of the test will be sent home to parents of each child when testing has been completed.  This report may help parents understand their child's needs and help the child plan a program of physical activity.

All students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade will be bringing home letters on Friday, August 24th.  These letters will explain P.E. Rules that have been covered in P.E. classes.  If you would take a couple of minutes to review these rules with your student it would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Students in Middle School will soon be given Physical Education Information that is to be reviewed at home by each student's parents. There will be a page for the parents to complete.  Please have your student return the parent completed portion of this information to me by the date indicated on the parent completed portion. This will be considered an assignment for your student.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Mr Hiebert

 

Hope everyone had a great summer with plenty of exercise!!!