An update from the PE & Health Department: After making it through the Fall with no gym,
we were finally able to enjoy PE activities and games on our new gym floor! We worked on
Soccer skills both inside and out, culminating in one of our favorite team games - Hoop House Soccer. Students work as teams to build structures using six hula hoops. After exploring various ways of
moving through each "house", we combine groups to make two teams. Each team tries to knock the
other's houses down aiming soccer nerf balls. We worked on accurate kicking and goal-keeping skills,
along with cooperative re-building of our houses. This unit was followed by Floor Hockey. We learned
about the differences and similarities of various kinds of hockey. After practicing our skills, we
had exciting class games. As part of our warm-up sessions, we practiced the Pacer Challenge.
This is a multi-stage aerobic capacity test that involves jogging back and forth in the gym to a
cadence. All classes have now been scored and students responded well to the challenge!
This leads us to our "Happy Heart" Unit. Students become red blood cells carrying oxygen
and carbon dioxide through a huge "body" performing exercises at each station. We
discuss ways to keep our hearts healthy.
Grade 4 students have become First Aiders in our Health classes. Mrs. Goss and I have filmed
them acting out responses to emergencies. Look for the results at the upcoming Science/Technology Night.
And - be sure to check out our Family Fitness Night on February 23, 6:30-8pm. Lots of family fun,
fitness, and nutrition facts to get 2012 off to a healthy start.
Thanks for all your support!