Physical Education News From Mr. I.

March has certainly been one of our busier months in P.E. filled with many different lessons, activities and units! I am so happy with how students have progressed through the month with learning and applying so many skills into their development.

Students in grades k-2 celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with two fun St. Patrick’s Day themed activities: Leprechaun Tag and Lucky Charms. These both utilized many movement concepts and skills like chasing, fleeing, dodging, invasion, teamwork , and cardiovascular endurance. Students had such a fun time!

In addition, our k-2 friends also spent a class using the parachute. Parachute is always a favorite for many of our students and it teaches the importance of teamwork and cooperation, as well as lower and upper body strength with a whole lot of fun! We were able to enjoy many different parachute activities this week!

3-5 students spent two rotations practicing their striking skill while learning and participating in our Pickleball Unit. Pickleball is such an exciting and new game for our students! We learned and reviewed the rules and how to use the equipment properly. Students then did a variety of lead up activities and skill progression activities before getting a chance to play 1 vs 1 or 2 vs 2. Students did so well and had a lot of fun!

This week, all students in grades K-5 enjoyed scooters! Scooters are a great way to develop body awareness, movement patterns, and cardiovascular endurance, while also increasing strength in the lower body, upper body, and core muscles. Not to mention, they are so fun and versatile! Students first got an opportunity to practice the many different ways to ride a scooter along with how to stay safe while doing so. Afterwards, students progressed to a scooter game called “Scooter Zone Ball” which showcased many of their scooter skills.

As we approach April, there are so many fun and exciting lessons, units, and activities planned that students will thoroughly enjoy. I am looking forward to informing you of all the fun we are having and all the skills we are learning!

It's hard to believe that we are over the halfway point in the school year and are at February Break. Our students' energy, enthusiasm and engagement levels have been high during the last several rotations in P.E. Students have made great progress with our skill progression while being productive and having a lot of fun!

In mid January all students in grades k-5 participated in our floor hockey unit which lasted two rotations. Floor hockey is part of our long-handed striking unit. During our first rotation we focused on skill building; all grades reviewed and practiced how to properly hold a floor hockey stick, how to stick handle/control an object, how to pass, and how to shoot. Students got to practice these skills in a variety of warm-up/instant activities, skill stations and group/partner play that were appropriate for their age/grade. During our second class we put all these skills together in some “game like” activities. Grades k-2 played a class game called “6 Goal Hockey'' while students in grades 3-5 participated in three different small sided hockey games- our small sided games ensured that all students were working on their skills and there was no downtime. I was so proud of the effort students put forward in this unit.

The last two rotations leading up to break were dedicated to our gymnastic and balance skills:

Our k-2 friends practiced and progressed through a variety of animal walks/crawls, rolls down our gymnastic mats and balance/coordination. During grades k-2 second class of gymnastics, students were involved in many different gymnastic skill stations which consisted of: vaulting, balance beam, and rolling down our ramps, and animals walk/crawls. I really enjoyed seeing many of our students gain confidence in themselves as they went through the different stations.

Our 3-5 friends also got a chance to experience some gymnastic and balancing activities. In their first class, students worked with a partner or small group at a gymnastic mat and went through a variety of gymnastics skills and balancing acts that were projected on the screen. This gave students a lot of time to progress, build confidence and have fun! During grades 3-5 second class students had a “Choice Gymnastics” day where they could explore and choose many different stations such as balance beam, forward and backward rolling, wall handstands, partner/group balancing tricks, and open mat time. It was hard to get students to come off the mats once P.E. was over because of the amount of fun they were all having!

After break, we will be getting right back to it with a variety of activities and skills such as: jump-rope, handball, throwing, catching, striking and teamwork/cooperation. I am excited to update you with all the progress we are making in the next newsletter! Wishing you all a wonderful February Break and thank you all for your support!

It has been quite an exciting and active start to 2024 in P.E.! It has been so nice to welcome back students into the gym after break and we wasted no time with getting plenty of skills and movement activities into our day.

We are in the process of wrapping up our basketball unit for grades k-5 and this unit has certainly brought a lot of excitement accompanied by some important skills.

Students in grades k-2 are certainly having fun learning all the important skills needed in basketball. Students in grades k-2 participated in a variety of ball skill warm-up activities and videos where they familiarized themselves with how to handle and control a basketball. Shortly after our warm ups, k-2 students participated in some skill stations which focused on dribbling, passing and shooting. Once we learned and practiced our skills, k-2 students participated in a variety of basketball class and group activities where they were able to practice their skills in a fun way.

Students in grades 3-5 also spent time building upon some important ball skills needed in basketball. All students participated in stations that helped them with dribbling, shooting and passing. Students in grades 3-5 also got to expand upon these skills in other class and group basketball related activities where I was able to identify their progression- students had a lot of fun and did so well!

We will transition after this week to floor hockey for the next two rotations where we will utilize long-handed implements in a variety of skillful ways.

Finally, next month students will be participating in our gymnastic unit, which is a favorite for many.

I will have updates on how great these two units went in my next newsletter as well as a few other fun class activities and games mixed in to keep all students engaged and moving.

I am so pleased with the start of 2024, and I know it's going to be a great year! I can’t wait to continue to work with all students to build skills and to keep them active and healthy!

It's hard to believe that we are already halfway through December and fast approaching Winter Break. Students' enthusiasm is certainly high this time of year and we are taking full advantage of all that extra energy and excitement in P.E. with plenty of movement, skill-development and a whole lot of fun! We have been quite busy over the several weeks in P.E.

Students in grades k-2 have been hard at work learning the proper cues for “striking”. Striking can be done with either a short or long-handed piece of equipment or even just your hand. Our k-2 friends experimented with different striking equipment, such as our lollipop racket in some different warm-up and skill development activities before they were able to progress to some fun full-class activities. We will revisit striking lots throughout the year!

Students in grades 3-5 also participated in some striking fun and skill development. Students practiced striking for accuracy.

Students in grades 3-5 also got a chance to utilize their teamwork, evasion, cooperation and fleeing skills all while moving safely around the gym with a class favorite game called, “Capture The Ball”. Students showed great skill development during play and also displayed good sportsmanship.

Over the last few rotations, all students in grades k-5 have been learning and playing in some exciting winter/holiday-themed lessons and activities! Some highlights from these include: Tree Trimmers, The Great Light Fight, Do Wanna Build a Snowman?, Feed The Reindeer, and a school favorite- “The Great Sleigh Rides” which will take place next week! All lessons promote a variety of important movement skills and concepts while having fun!

On a separate note, I want to thank all that helped make our Elm Street School Turkey Trot a success back in November! Students were able to spend some time outside running and walking laps around our Turkey Trot course while also donating to the Walpole Food Pantry that will assist the community during the holidays.

After we return from break, students will be engaged in basketball and hockey skills, as well as gymnastics! I will have plenty to update you on in my next newsletter surrounding these activities as well as others!

I would like to wish you and your family happy holidays and a great New Year! I am looking forward to 2024 and seeing students succeed while learning new skills, staying healthy and being active! Give me a follow in Twitter @MrIadarola_PE