Fall 2013 Fitness Testing

Students in Grades 3rd through 8th are completing their Fall Fitnessgram fitness testing.  We are testing students on cardiovascular fitness (PACER Test), upper body strength (push-ups), abdominal strength (curl-ups) and flexibility (sit & reach).  We are looking at the overall numbers to see how our school matches up against the national standards.  When we have these results I will be posting them - so stay tuned.  

Classfit Kids

We went to conference last week and came back with some excellent ideas.

Classfit Kids was one of my favorites.  Jay & Pete Driscoll are the creators of Classfit kids and presented to a large group of PE teachers.  The program is a 4 minute workout utilizing a form of interval training called Tabata.  Set to music, this program provides students the opportunity to perform movements for a time period of 20 vigorous seconds, followed by 10 seconds of rest for eight intervals.  

I'm excited to bring this program back to our school and share it with others.  It would be a perfect way for classroom teachers to take a movement break with their students right their in the classroom.    These movement breaks can reenergize students and make them better prepared to learn.

Link to Classfit Kids Website:   http://classfitkids.com/

YouTube Video of a Classfit Workout

Fitness Stations

Our students love the fitness station unit.

In small groups, students travel from one challenge to the next, working on different aspects of fitness for 3 minutes at a time.  We have stations which directly challenge balance, upper and lower body strength/power, core strength, flexibility, agility, speed, coordination, etc.

Some of the students favorite stations include; the traverse climbing wall, the climbing rope, the swinging rope, pogo sticks, slack line, indo board, bongo board and cuckoo cars.  Click on the picture to see more of our kids on action.

X-Country Running & Walking

Students in kindergarten through 6th grade have been working hard to complete 1, 2, sometimes 3 miles during their PE classes.  Students are instructed on appropriate pacing, breathing, form and mind set to improve or maintain course times and, as always, healthy fitness levels.  Students earn a little plastic foot for each mile accomplished and will often display them on their shoelaces or on a necklace.  Click on the picture to see more.

7th & 8th Grade Physical Education

Our 7th & 8th graders are now attending physical education every day for 6 week blocks.  They will receive 3 of these 6 week blocks spread throughout the school year.  Students were given choices of units or activities to participate in.  My students, for this session, have been participating in cooperative games, x-country running/walking, flag football & ultimate frisbee.  Click on the picture to see more.

A New School Year Has Begun

So excited to be back at school.  In physical education class we are currently working on team building activities and cooperative games.  It's a great way to start the year.  Students get the opportunity to play a critical role in a group.  Many of the activities require students to complete a challenging task that can be rewarding and exhilarating.  Teamwork, communication, trust and perseverance are the major focus during the challenges and discussions that follow.  Click on the picture to see more of our students in action.