Hello parents! First off, I would like to give a huge thank you to all the parents and students who came out and supported my first annual family holiday hike! It was such a cool experience to be able to get to know more of you as well as take part in a family fitness activity. If you weren't able to make it, don't worry! In March, I will be planning a family kickball game one day after school. Stay tuned in the next newsletter for more details on this event. If you have any questions about anything or would like to volunteer one day out at PE, please feel free to email me at aleavins@lcusd.net. Also, please take a look at my website for more information.
What We Did: Dec-Jan
December and January were full of fun activities for students. In grades 2nd-6th, students participated in basketball, frisbee and kickball. In grades 2nd-3rd, the basketball unit was focused around basic skills that students need to learn at a young age. Dribbling, shooting, passing, teamwork and communication were all-important parts of this unit. For frisbee, students learned how to properly catch and throw a frisbee. Students played various games that taught them these different skills while emphasizing having fun. At this age, throwing and catching a frisbee is challenging for students which is why a lot of focus was on the basics of throwing and catching. Students also participated in kickball which they all love. Kickball is a great game for these younger students that works on their kicking skills as well as teamwork and sportsmanship.
In grades 4-6, the basic fundamental skills were still an area of focus however, these skills were worked on in game activities. For basketball, students played in a 3 on 3 half court basketball tournament. In frisbee, students played in a game called “frisbee soccer” which is identical to ultimate frisbee. The students really enjoy this game, and it teaches them teamwork, cooperation, sportsmanship and spacing. In kickball, no new skills were learned, but it's always nice to let students enjoy a fun game that keeps them active.
In first grade, students participated in frisbee, kickball and circuit games. Frisbee in first grade is all the basics. How to hold a frisbee, how to position the body to throw, how to align your shoulder with the target, etc. At this age, students are also developing their hand-eye coordination wich can make it tough for some to catch a frisbee (Rubber frisbees were used so students wouldn't get hurt.) In kickball, students are able to further develop their emerging kicking skills while also learning about teamwork and sportsmanship. In the circuit, students play handball, tetherball, hop-scotch and jump-rope. All of these activities are great to help develop students coordination while participating in activities they enjoy.
Whats Next?
- Lacrosse
- Tennis
- Tennis Baseball
- Training for the California Fitness Testing for 5th graders. 5th graders have to complete a mile run, push-up test, sit-up test, as well as a flexibility test.
Important Information
Parents- Please refer to my website for a more in-depth explanation of the different units we are covering in class. The section labeled “This month in PE” will continue to be updated every month. My website will also provide you with more information about classroom expectations and other useful information. Please remind your kids that with the upcoming expected colder weather, it will be very beneficial to wear a sweatshirt or jacket when we our outside at PE. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have at aleavins@lcusd.net. Let’s have a great month.
Why Children Need Physical Education
http://www.veanea.org/home/1000.htm
Physical education is an integral part of the total education of every child in kindergarten through high school. Quality physical education programs are needed to increase the physical competence, health-related fitness, self-responsibility and enjoyment of physical activity for all students so that they can be physically active for a lifetime. Physical education programs can only provide these benefits if they are well-planned and well-implemented. Here’s what quality physical education programs can do for students, according to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education:
Improved physical fitness: Improves children's muscular strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, body composition and cardiovascular endurance.
Skill development: Develops motor skills, which allow for safe, successful and satisfying participation in physical activities.
Regular, healthful physical activity: Provides a wide-range of developmentally appropriate activities for all children.
Support of other subject areas: Reinforces knowledge learned across the curriculum.Serves as a lab for application of content in science, math and social studies.
Self-discipline: Facilitates development of student responsibility for health and fitness.
Improved judgment: Quality physical education can influence moral development. Students have the opportunity to assume leadership, cooperate with others, question actions and regulations, and accept responsibility for their own behavior.
Stress reduction: Physical activity becomes an outlet for releasing tension and anxiety, and facilitates emotional stability and resilience.
Strengthened peer relationships: Physical education can be a major force in helping children socialize with others successfully and provides opportunities to learn positive people skills. Especially during late childhood and adolescence, being able to participate in dances, games and sports is an important part of peer culture.
Improved self-confidence and self-esteem: Physical education instills a stronger sense of self-worth in children based on their mastery of skills and concepts in physical activity. They can become more confident, assertive, independent and self-controlled.
Experience setting goals: Gives children the opportunity to set and strive for personal, achievable goals.
10 Easy Exercises You Can Actually Do With Your Kids
1. PlankingPut your elbows on the floor, raise up on the tips of your toes, and keep your back straight and your abs tight in a line. Hold that position as long as you can. 30 seconds is pretty good if your kids can hold it that long.2. SquatsPut your feet a shoulders’ width apart and do deep knee bends as if you’re sitting down on an invisible box. Put your arms out. Make sure your knees don’t extend past your toes.3. Push-upsKeep your abs tight and your back straight; you can do this with a straight or bent knee.4. CrunchesSit-ups, but not all the way from floor to knee. Just curl your chest toward your knees. (These are called “curl-ups” at school.)5. LungesTake a step. Touch your back knee to the floor, and make sure your front knee doesn’t extend past the toes.6. Side leg raisesKeep your legs straight as you abduct out to the side. 7. BurpeesThese are pretty tough for me as well, and a whole sequence of them will really get your heart racing. Squat, then put your hands to the ground. Kick your legs straight back behind you, landing on your toes. Then do a push-up, bring your legs back underneath you, and jump straight up off the floor. That’s one burpee.8. Mountain ClimbersStart in a push-up position, then alternate bringing one foot at a time forward toward your armpit and then extend it back out. It almost looks like a stationary bear crawl.9. Butterfly KicksLie on your back. Keeping your abs tight, raise your feet just barely off the floor and flutter-kick them. 10. V-upsThis one’s like a sit-up, but in the shape of a V. Lie back, extend your arms out above your head on the floor, then lift your legs and raise your torso and hands until you make a V. Reach toward your feet, then back down again.
Yours in Health,
-Mr. Leavins
Website Link
http://paradisecanyonpe.weebly.com
