In August, we learn PE expectations and routines such as coming in quietly, participating in a warm up, learning games, and lining up. We also played games to learn about the Lynx Cave, review the Zones of Regulation, and the Conflict Corner in the gym.
In September we review various locomotor skills such as skipping, galloping, hopping, etc. and practice problem solving and working together in teams. We work on spatial awareness and keeping ourselves and others safe in PE during cooperative games. We are continued to build our movement vocabulary by reviewing exercises such as burpees, squats, planks, and push ups.
During October, we focused on throwing and catching as well as strengthening our push up form. We played a variety of games that required students to aim at a target or throw to a teammate. We worked on plank holds, core work, isolated arm work, and push ups to prepare for our push up assessment. We also took our pre-test scores for the pacer test, a cardiovascular endurance test.
In November, 4th and 5th graders were tested on their ability to do a push up as part of their Fitnessgram testing for PSD. We learned how to recognize the correct form, built strength with plank holds, plank taps, plank walks, and plank shifts, and completed a post test for push ups this month.
We also finally got to use our amazing rock wall funded by PTO. After installation, it quickly came back down to get an updated paint job. Students learned about climbing safety, taking turns, and practiced climbing the wall and ropes.
During January, we continued working on how to take turns in various games and apply sportsmanship and problem solving. We worked together in partners and small groups and practiced playing 4 square. We also sprinkled in a little bit of dribbling and shooting basketballs.
In February, we will be starting our big gymnastics unit. Students will learn basic gymnastic positions and vocabulary such as planks, hollow body holds, arch, tuck, pike, etc. They will have opportunities to practicethese positions on the floor, sometimes in the air (jumping on to mats and off spring boards), and while hanging from a bar. Students will learn how to lift and hold thier own body weight and how that applies to other sports and activities. The rock wall and the ropes will be incorporated again into this unit.