Lower School Physical Education

Objectives:

A.                  Satisfy biological needs for movement.

B.                 Maintain and increase strength, endurance, balance, agility and flexibility.

C.                 Follow directions, share and cooperate within a group.

D.                 Develop healthy attitudes during competitive activities.

E.                 Develop leadership responsibilities.

F.                  Enjoy team and self-testing activities.

G.                 Develop large muscle groups.

H.                 Develop hand/eye and foot/eye coordination.

I.                     Develop life-long appreciation of physical activity and physical fitness.

J.                   Provide the basic fundamentals of human movement:

1.                  What the body is capable of doing through movement of various muscle groups.

2.                  How the body moves in space and the amount of space needed for the body to move.

3.                  How the body moves with control at varying degrees of speed, and force, and in different directions.

Methods:

A.                  Traditional approach: explanation, demonstration and drills.

B.                 Individual, partner, and small group practice.

C.                 Guided exploration of movement.

D.                 Lead-up activities and analysis of team situations.

E.                 Self-testing activities.

F.                  Physical fitness evaluation.

Content:

A.                  Locomotor Skills

B.                 Movement Exploration with bean bag, hoops, scooters

C.                 Lead-up Activities

D.                 Small Games

E.                 Soccer

F.                  Field Hockey

G.                 Lacrosse basics

H.                 Flag Football

I.                     Physical Fitness

J.                   Volleyball/Newcomb

K.                 Gymnastics

L.                  Basketball

M.                 Jump Rope Skills

N.                 Square, Aerobic and Modern Dance

O.                Manipulative skills with variety of racquets

P.                 Field Day

Q.                Softball, T-ball, Whiffleball and Kickball

R.                 Challenge Obstacle Courses

S.                 Parachute Activities

Grading:

A.                  Sportsmanship

B.                 Attitude and Effort

C.                 Skill Level and Improvement

D.                 Physical Fitness

    Hats
Mrs. Clark

     We started the year just walking around the large gym noticing the exit signs and all things that are new to them.  We have practiced rolling, pushing and kicking the ball.  Another day we used the hula-hoops.   We are now using the scooters, which they seem to enjoy.  The Hats have learned how to stretch their muscles and "freeze" when they hear the whistle. They have climbed the rope, and played with the scoops.

  Junior Kindergarten
Mrs. Clark

Junior Kindergarten has been very busy this first marking period.  Each child was given a place to stand so I could learn their names and talk to them before each class.  We start each class with some exercise to warm up our muscles.  I always play listening games with them daily to reinforce the listening skills they are developing in the classroom.  Then we practice locomotor skill.  We have done running, hopping and galloping.  Next we will learn skipping.  We are presently using the scooters. They really enjoy making a school bus or riding a Hershey park ride. We have also used the hula-hoops, climbed the rope, played jump the birdie, and used the jump ropes.

 Kindergarten
Mrs. Clark

   I started the year putting the children into squads. This enabled them to enter the gym in an orderly fashion instead of just running around once they entered.  Each class we begin with some warm up activities to loosen the muscles.  Then we do some running.  We have also reviewed basic movement skills such as running, skipping, hopping, galloping, and jumping.  We progress to some cooperative games to improve on sportsmanship and listening skills.  A favorite game is Old scary witch.  I was actually able to play a beginning game of hockey with them this early in the year. We have also climbed the climbing wall and ropes, played with scooters, hula-hoops and balls. Their throwing and catching skills are getting much better.  

Grade 1
Ms. Serino

The First Quarter has been an introduction to a variety of low-organized games, which need few basic rules. The first quarter classes are designed to introduce the understanding of general space, and to develop an awareness of the child’s body through movement. The focus on movement is designed to create a safe environment as you move in personal space and general space during the activities.
Students were introduced to a variety of movements that have included: Walking, Hopping, Running, Galloping, Skipping, Leaping and Jumping.  The various movements allowed the students to enhance their cardiovascular endurance, coordination and agility skills.
We have participated in many cooperative learning activities such as:  Mother May I, Simon(“Serino”)Says, Jump the Witch, Parachute Activities, Red light/Green light, Statue tag, and Spud( a class favorite), to name a few.  Low- organized games are incorporated to introduce the concept of being part of a team and to work cooperatively within a group, while exercising good sportsmanship skills.   The activities include: Zoo-ball, freeze games, Pass the Trash and Bombardment. During the October Festival Day we enjoyed playing Jump the Witch and running to the pumpkin patch to do the various exercises.
Calisthenics are an important part of our daily routine each morning, designed to maintain and increase strength, endurance, balance, agility and flexibility.  Each student leads his/her group for six consecutive cycle days throughout the year.

Grade 2
Mr. Martin

The second grade physical education program consists of a wide variety of activities that focus on physical social and emotional growth.  Basic movement that includes locomotor skills, gross motor skill and formal exercise are incorporated into each class.  As each child progresses the tasks becomes more challenging.  Low organized games were introduced to help encourage the enjoyment of physical activity and to reinforce skill previously taught.  The desire to compete and the concept of fair play are vital to all students.  Classes are monitored closely to ensure cooperation and sportsmanship.  The 2nd grade also participated in a social dance unit.  All students enjoyed the Twist and the Macarena.

Grade 3
Ms. Serino
 

      The first quarter has been an introduction to a variety of low-organized games, which need few basic rules. The first quarter classes are designed to introduce the understanding of general space, and to develop an awareness of the child’s body through movement. The focus on movement is designed to create a safe environment as move in personal space and general space during the activities.
Students were introduced to a variety of movements that have included: Walking, Hopping, Running, Galloping, Skipping, Leaping and Jumping.  The various movements allow each student to enhance his/her cardiovascular endurance, coordination and agility skills.
We have participated in many cooperative learning activities such as:  Mother May I, Simon(“Serino”)Says, Jump the Shot, Parachute Activities, Red light/Green light, Statue tag, and Spud(a class favorite), to name a few.  Low- organized games are incorporated to introduce the concept of being part of a team and to work cooperatively within a group, while exercising good sportsmanship skills.   The activities include: Zoo-ball, Freeze games, Pass the Trash and Bombardment. At the end of October we enjoyed playing Jump the Witch and running to the pumpkin patch to do the various exercises.
The emphasis on our team sport activities focuses on developing the fundamental skills of the sport, and to enhance the knowledge of the rules and strategies during game play.  We adapt our games to promote the involvement of all the students and to create a safe environment for the participants.
Calisthenics are an important part of our daily routine each morning, designed to maintain and increase strength, endurance, balance, agility and flexibility.  Each student leads his/her group for six consecutive cycle days throughout the year.

Grade 4
Mr. Martin
 

The Fourth grade P.E. Class spent the first quarter working on team sport activities.  The transition from self-testing skills to team sports can be frustrating and humorous.  To help class members understand these concepts a unit in soccer was introduced.  As basic skills improved team play was introduced at its most elementary level.  Students were confronted with such problems as how to get open, why should you be for apart or where should you be in relationship to the ball.  All participants were given the opportunity to play all position several times.  As the year moves along the idea of team play and strategy will be reinforced in other activities.  The 4th grade also experienced a wide variety of competitive games and a unit in social dance.  The Macarena and the Beach Boys were at the top of the charts.