October was another fabulous month weather wise. We were able to remain outside to enjoy the warmth. We will continue to be outside as much as possible in the coming weeks. Families are reminded that although the weather can be mild at this time of year, the days are much cooler than in September. Mornings are particularly chilly and students need to ensure they are dressed for the temperature. It is always easier to take off a layer of clothing than to have nothing to put on and then shiver for the entire class.
We continued to play various cooperative games. As the year progresses, students will be expected to use these skills related to cooperation – positive language, active listening, compromise, etc. – in many games situations. While we always need to use cooperative skills, the intense focus on specific cooperative learning moves more in to developing physical literacy skills that include fundamental movement skills, decision making, developing a sense of game play (including strategy), and fundamental fitness proficiencies.
Specifically, Grade 5 and 6 students learned how to play the “human version” of Harry Potter’s Quidditch. Grades 1 – 6 were involved in Word Scrabble that connected classroom vocabulary in a relay type game; and Kindergarten continued to work on body and space awareness through our hula hoop cars, Fairy Godmother Tag and many other active games.
Every Friday for next couple of months will be Fitness Fridays. It will be a time in which students will be engaged in activities specifically targeting balance, flexibility, and strength. In addition, we want to challenge our cardiovascular health by increasing and maintaining a higher heart rate – after all, our heart is a muscle and it needs exercise too!
Word Scrabble
When possible and when it makes sense, cross-curricular connections are made between Physical Education and student learning. Language learning and understanding words is fundamental to our ability to communicate effectively with others. Learning to make words or “spell” can easily be infused within the PE context. While students are physically active, they build teamwork skills and practice their spelling at the same time.
Students worked in relay format to create a variety of words. The type of words students were asked to form were often given parameters, such as 3, 4 and 5 letter words, or the word must be connected to other curricular subjects.
Challenge: One at a time, run to the basket and pull out a tennis ball and return it to the hula hoop for your team. Continue in relay format to retrieve as many tennis balls as you need to create a word. Start by trying to make a three letter word, then try a four letter word, and if you are adventurous, try to create a 5 letter word.
Curricular Connections: Create a word from vocabulary from a particular inquiry in your classroom (eg. grade 2, bee study; grade 4, light and shadow study, etc)
We continued to play various cooperative games. As the year progresses, students will be expected to use these skills related to cooperation – positive language, active listening, compromise, etc. – in many games situations. While we always need to use cooperative skills, the intense focus on specific cooperative learning moves more in to developing physical literacy skills that include fundamental movement skills, decision making, developing a sense of game play (including strategy), and fundamental fitness proficiencies.
Specifically, Grade 5 and 6 students learned how to play the “human version” of Harry Potter’s Quidditch. Grades 1 – 6 were involved in Word Scrabble that connected classroom vocabulary in a relay type game; and Kindergarten continued to work on body and space awareness through our hula hoop cars, Fairy Godmother Tag and many other active games.
Every Friday for next couple of months will be Fitness Fridays. It will be a time in which students will be engaged in activities specifically targeting balance, flexibility, and strength. In addition, we want to challenge our cardiovascular health by increasing and maintaining a higher heart rate – after all, our heart is a muscle and it needs exercise too!
Word Scrabble
When possible and when it makes sense, cross-curricular connections are made between Physical Education and student learning. Language learning and understanding words is fundamental to our ability to communicate effectively with others. Learning to make words or “spell” can easily be infused within the PE context. While students are physically active, they build teamwork skills and practice their spelling at the same time.
Students worked in relay format to create a variety of words. The type of words students were asked to form were often given parameters, such as 3, 4 and 5 letter words, or the word must be connected to other curricular subjects.
Challenge: One at a time, run to the basket and pull out a tennis ball and return it to the hula hoop for your team. Continue in relay format to retrieve as many tennis balls as you need to create a word. Start by trying to make a three letter word, then try a four letter word, and if you are adventurous, try to create a 5 letter word.
Curricular Connections: Create a word from vocabulary from a particular inquiry in your classroom (eg. grade 2, bee study; grade 4, light and shadow study, etc)