here is what's happening in Phy ed
Today is April 14, 2017
We had a really wonderful volleyball session. All of the classes worked hard and we played a modified version of a game. Our new pickleball net worked great for the unit. (as-is for the youngest kids, and set up upon chairs for the older ones). I feel like we learned some good pre-volleyball skills and the kids enjoyed it!
We had a few days when we could not be indoors. These were crazy windy days in March. We tried playing parachute games, flying kites, and using flying toys. (which were "dollar store" quality and lived about as long as you'd expect.)
As the weather warmed throughout the month of March we took advantage of the sunny days to play kickball, spud, tag, frisbee toss, and other outdoor games. These games are great when the kids need to run.
Tennis is in full swing. ;) Thanks to the Sieben family for providing our school with a set of tennis rackets so that each student can have one to use. We have had our share of tennis balls go onto the school roof, but thankfully Mr. Strommen had a few to lend us. The children are doing a fabulous job at hitting the balls and we have had some good volleys, with and without the net. Great skill building.
February 23, 2017
The weather made the transition from gymnastics to dance rather painless. We took advantage of the warmth and had class outside both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday found us using the old time record player and some albums that have been around for years. We did the hokey pokey, tried some imaginative adventures using the album: We All Live Together, in which the kids pretended they were a tree blowing in the wind, a deep sea diver, a rock and roll star, a roller skater, and so on. They all did a great job! After dancing, there was time for a game of kickball, or fun with the parachute for some of the classes.
On Wednesday, since we had a record breaking sunny 56degree day, tried whiffle ball. Everyone took a turn at hitting and fielding a ball from the T. Then we played a game of T-ball-whiffle ball. Ask your child for the details. It was such a treat being outdoors in shirtsleeves. Everyone was positive and happy.
The nice weather brings to mind spring when it would be nice to do a unit on softball. I would love for the 4,5,6 grades to have gloves. The weather will play a big role in when we will do the unit, but you can start thinking about getting one anytime. I have seen an interest in that a few kids have been playing catch at recess. I would like to encourage that.
2-2-2017
We just finished our floor hockey and ice skating unit. Although we only got onto the ice 3 times, they were really fun days for ice skating. This is a wonderful tradition and I am happy to have so many children get out on skates.
A big thank you to the Casalenda family. Tony was with us everyday to help shovel off the snow, tie skates, and show the kids how it is done. He also made a generous donation of about 10 pairs of ice skates for the littlest skaters who did not come with skates of their own. Jessical, too, was on hand to help out and baby Frankie was a trooper through it all.
As the pictures show, we had a great time on the ice, but we also enjoyed playing floor hockey indoors after our rinks turned to slush. The children all improved their skills and learned a lot about teamwork.
We will now move into the gymnastics unit. The children get very excited and enthusiastic when they see the mats and the balance beam in the gym. We will talk about safety and the basics. Some students have had lessons and they are typically very willing to demonstrate moves. Posted around the gym are pictures of gymnastic poses and skills that the children can attempt. Obviously, without all the equipment, they can only envision themselves doing some of the maneuvers, but it may pique their interest in the sport.
We just finished our floor hockey and ice skating unit. Although we only got onto the ice 3 times, they were really fun days for ice skating. This is a wonderful tradition and I am happy to have so many children get out on skates.
A big thank you to the Casalenda family. Tony was with us everyday to help shovel off the snow, tie skates, and show the kids how it is done. He also made a generous donation of about 10 pairs of ice skates for the littlest skaters who did not come with skates of their own. Jessical, too, was on hand to help out and baby Frankie was a trooper through it all.
As the pictures show, we had a great time on the ice, but we also enjoyed playing floor hockey indoors after our rinks turned to slush. The children all improved their skills and learned a lot about teamwork.
We will now move into the gymnastics unit. The children get very excited and enthusiastic when they see the mats and the balance beam in the gym. We will talk about safety and the basics. Some students have had lessons and they are typically very willing to demonstrate moves. Posted around the gym are pictures of gymnastic poses and skills that the children can attempt. Obviously, without all the equipment, they can only envision themselves doing some of the maneuvers, but it may pique their interest in the sport.
making signs for catholic schools week:
The dog and cat were a huge help!
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what's happening in Phy ed: |
I met this pooch one day when I stopped at the hardware store. Love at first sight.
Tips that work:
The 1. Use First...Then statements. (example: "First finish your drawing and then trace the letters."
2. Give choices....no matter if both are something that he has to do. Ex: "Do you want to use a yellow pencil or a blue pencil? Do you want to draw or trace first?"
You are getting out of the tub. Do you want to use the red towel or the blue towel? You are coming to the table to eat. Do you want to drink milk or water?
3. Tell him what to do (not what not to do) Ex: "walk" not, "don't run" or "gentle touch" not, "no hitting". Say: "Please, use and inside voice." instead of, "Stop Yelling!"
4. Use few words, not long sentences or repeating yourself. Ex: "Color the boy." vs. "What color should you make the boy that is playing with his cat in the picture?" If it is a longer direction, repeat only the main words. (example: "sit on chair") "Come inside", instead of "Come inside for dinner, and be sure to wash your hands, and don't forget to put your bike in the garage."
5. Keep your voice and demeanor calm. Limit talking and repeating yourself when he is stressed.
The 1. Use First...Then statements. (example: "First finish your drawing and then trace the letters."
2. Give choices....no matter if both are something that he has to do. Ex: "Do you want to use a yellow pencil or a blue pencil? Do you want to draw or trace first?"
You are getting out of the tub. Do you want to use the red towel or the blue towel? You are coming to the table to eat. Do you want to drink milk or water?
3. Tell him what to do (not what not to do) Ex: "walk" not, "don't run" or "gentle touch" not, "no hitting". Say: "Please, use and inside voice." instead of, "Stop Yelling!"
4. Use few words, not long sentences or repeating yourself. Ex: "Color the boy." vs. "What color should you make the boy that is playing with his cat in the picture?" If it is a longer direction, repeat only the main words. (example: "sit on chair") "Come inside", instead of "Come inside for dinner, and be sure to wash your hands, and don't forget to put your bike in the garage."
5. Keep your voice and demeanor calm. Limit talking and repeating yourself when he is stressed.
The Back to Top
More tips that work:
Don't get into power struggles...there is no winner.
Be consistent....don't let your child get away with something one time and the next time say no.
Pick your battles...not everything is worth "arguing" about.
Limit talking and repeating yourself, especially if your child is stressed.
Don't get into power struggles...there is no winner.
Be consistent....don't let your child get away with something one time and the next time say no.
Pick your battles...not everything is worth "arguing" about.
Limit talking and repeating yourself, especially if your child is stressed.
Ways to support early learning:
- Children learn a lot by imitating you. Be a great role model, and make sure your child sees you reading and writing every day.
- Read books together every day, both storybooks and books that give information about topics (like trucks or animals).
- Help your child find ways to describe how two objects are the same or different. Encourage your child to use words like small, medium, and large to describe the size of objects. "Is the basketball larger or smaller than the football?"
- Help your child learn to count. Play games that involve counting, using familiar objects that you come across every day. "How many plates do you need to set the table? How many stairs are there in the house?"
How cute is this?