Update: First Few Weeks of P.E.
It has been an exciting start to the new school year! With this being my second year here at
Blanchard, there are many students in my classes that I had last school
year. I love teaching all grades, as I
get the chance to see the students grow and change from year to year. One
benefit of having students from last year is that they are aware of my
expectations for class! There are many
things that I look for and consider important in P.E., but they all fall under
a few general guidelines. I expect
students to: Be respectful (of themselves, peers, and staff), be safe, try
their best, and have fun! I always
stress the importance of remembering that everyone has different skills/talents/abilities. Our focus is on students improving their own
individual fitness levels.
During the first few P.E. classes I like to plan activities
that allow me to get to know the students that I haven’t had before. I also like to plan team-building games so
that we can discuss the importance of teamwork.
I tell each class that they are a team, and to have a fun and exciting
year of P.E. we all need to work together.
It is fun to hear students talk about the teams that they watch and root
for, and how important teamwork is in accomplishing their goals.
This year, I have introduced a new warm-up to students in
grades 3-6. When we have class in the
gymnasium, we will spend 8-10 minutes warming up with “The PE Central Challenge”. The challenge is designed to encourage students
to practice a variety of motor skills, many of which are contained in our professions
national standards (NASPE, 1995). The
challenge is not intended to be a one-time test, but rather an ongoing series
of challenges that students can practice and improve upon. We will be practicing our six challenges through
the month of November.
Our list of challenges can be found here: http://www.pecchallenge.org/challenges/challengelist.html
The challenge requirements have been modified based on grade
level.
Grades 3-6 are currently in their Frisbee unit. We take the time to practice holding,
throwing, and catching the Frisbee. We
practice throwing and catching while on the run, defense, and target
practice. At the end of our unit,
students in grades 4-6 will play ultimate Frisbee games. In grade 3, we focus on the basics of
ultimate Frisbee, and we play games with modified rules.
In grades K-2 we are focusing on the importance of safe
self-space. This is especially important
when we are all moving throughout warm-ups and during any game play. We are also working on our overhand and
underhand throwing skills. We have spent
time practicing our throwing and catching with partners, and our games have
been centered on these skills as well.
I look forward to meeting with parents that will be attending open-house night next Tuesday!
