#17

K, 1st and 2nd used parachutes celebrated Christmas with games and activities using the Parachute. Students reviewed levels (high, low, etc) and speed (fast, slow etc) while manipulating the parachute. A favorite activity among students was Santa's igloo. Students finished class learning about the 7 continents while everyone had a chance to ride Santa's sleigh visiting each continent to drop off presents.

4th, 5th and 6th participated in the last class for hockey this week. Some classes warmed up with 1 on 1 Hockey while others participated in Ground Attack. This lead into playing two simultaneous games of either Pin Hockey and Regular Floor Hockey. Students had a chance to compare the differences in each game and vote on which they liked better. Class ended with a 5-10 minute period of Your Choice where students were able to select the activity they wanted to participate in. Other classes ended with Snowball Alley to celebrate the first snowfall of the season.

7th and 8th grades completed their Floor Hockey Unit playing 4 simultaneous games of Pin Hockey and Regular Floor Hockey. To warm up, students worked on offensive and defensive skills in 1 on 1 hockey. Classes ended with a Your Choice option with some classes also participating in Snowball Alley, celebrating the first snowfall of the season.

#15

Kindergarteners were introduced to activities requiring scooter use. Scooter safety was compared to driving a car on the road. (I will keep the parent's driving stories shared by their dear young ones to myself. i.e. Sometimes when my Dad drives he will...) Students strengthened their leg, arm and abdominal muscles in relay races through out class.

1st, 2nd and 3rd graders were taught a version of Scooter Hockey, which half the class played together while the other half of the class participated in Revolving Door for the first time. We had many success stories with running through a long rope this week. This helps to prepare students with the rhythm of jumping into a long rope along with reducing the anxiety many students face about getting hit by the jump rope.

4th through 8th grade warmed up with Revolving Door. This game is a great way to add rhythmic activities to a lesson in a fun and challenging manner. The rest of time was spent in Scooter Hockey. With two games going on simultaneously, students were instructed to officiate themselves, taking responsibility for actions and encouraging honest, cooperative decision-making.

#14- Recreational Games/ Grandparent's Day

This week all classes participated in Recreational game including Tetherball, Ladder Golf, Corn Hole, Hole-in-One miniature golf, Magnetic Rocket Toss, Four Square and Ping Pong. K-3 participated in modified versions of these games that fit their learning level ability. Grandparent's Day is a great opportunity to see the value in physical activity for life. Participating in regular physical activity helps to increase quality of life and the length of one's life. Many of 7-1's Grandparent's showed this to be true as they participating with their grandchild.

#13

K-2nd grades played Fitness Skillastics. This physically active board game was created to make fitness and calisthenics fun rather than punishment. (Why are so many students and athletes punished by running laps? Running should be fun!) Fitness Skillastics features 26 fitness exercises, all approved by leading fitness experts, covering all four of the fitness components - flexibility, cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, muscle strength and muscle endurance.

3rd, 4th and 5th grades warmed up with Jake the Snake, a rope jumping game that helps students learn the timing of individual and long rope jumping better. Students then practiced their double jumps, speed jumps and "X" crossing skills along with jumping an individual length jump rope with a partner. Classes finished with learning how to jump into a long rope. Groups seeking more of a challenge went on to play Cat and Mouse, a jump rope tag game.

6th, 7th and 8th grades started with a muscular strength/ endurance (MS/E) activity called Push Up Pull focusing on building upper body strength in push up position. Heart Rate and the Physical Activity Pyramid were introduced and were the primary focus of the lesson. Students compared their resting heart rate and target heart rate through out activities (Crackabout, Partner Dodge and/or Turkey Toss) using their carotid pulse. We looked at the Physical Activity Pyramid, learning about the 

FITT Principle and how it is applied to activity. [F- Frequency (# days/ week); I-Intensity (Easy/Moderate/Vigorous)  ; T- Time (# Minutes)  ; T- Type (Cardiovascular Endurance- Aerobic; Anaerobic; Muscular Strength/ Endurance; Flexibility; etc.]

Next week's lesson- Just Kidding

Week #12

K warmed up with Monster from Mars tag, developing listening skills and increasing heart rate. We transitioned into Native American Hand Wrestling to work on balance, deceiving a partner and muscular strength/endurance (we did this last week but with only half of Ms. Mann/Robbins class). To conclude the lesson, we played Rock Paper Scissors Tag and discussed how this can help solve playground problems (conflict resolution).

1st and 2nd grades played Partner Scarf Tag (CV) to begin moving at the beginning of class. We worked on juggling (skill) with either 1, 2 or 3 scarfs, attempted Circle Toss, where the whole class moves in a circle catching the scarf tossed to the right of them. Eventually each student travels the whole circle and returns to where they started (some classes got it, others still need practice). Class ended with Rock Paper Scissors Tag.

3rd, 4th and 5th grade learned to play a creative version of kickball called Never Out Kickball. This is a great game to play during the cold months of winter. Since batters never get out, they always have something to do. Instead of standing around freezing during winter recess, students were encouraged to substitute this game to increase activity therefore increasing body temperature. With our theme of creating games, we discussed the Baltimore Sun news article about the University of Maryland's Quidditch league. We played a round of Native American Hand Wresling for the first time and finished class looking at another news article on the Honus Wagner card the School Sisters of Notre Dame auctioned off for $262,900.

6th, 7th and 8th grades finished up their round robin football tournament this week. All classes participated in three 9-minute flag football games with a championship game at the end of class. The class concluded with a discussion on the Honus Wagner article from the Baltimore Sun. "What things in your life are valuable to you and are they worth it?"

      

Week #11

K, 1st and 2nd grades are participating in Football Week. Class started with an instant activity "Native American Wrestling (ME/MS)" where we work on muscular strength, endurance, balance, and deception. Afterward, students learned where to place their dominant hand on a football, throw a spiral, and catch a football correctly in 1-2-3 football. We finished the class with an all class game that encourages students to run the football past the defenders to score a touchdown in Flag Football Tag.

3rd grade also participated in activities that focused around football. Student's reviewed how to grip the football, throw a spiral and different hand positions to catch the football. We learned these skills and positions while playing 1-2-3 football and ultimate football in teams.


4th, 5th finished up their football unit playing a modified version of Flag Football. The complexity of football rules were broken down throughout the games inorder to increase activity participation while learning about the game of football. Most of the classes ended with an all class game of Flag Football tag, focusing on agility, speed and deception.

6th, 7th and 8th grades began our two day flag football tournament which will end next week (weather permitting). Time was given for each team to come up with offensive plays before  the game began. Many teams had fun creating and naming offensive plays and running them successfully against the defense. Rules of football are being explained and broken down between plays to encourage as much game time as possible and to help students to see how the rules fit into game situations. The top two teams will compete in the championship game while the other teams battle it out for 3rd and 4th place (time/weather permitting).

  

Class #10

K: Snuck through the big kids "lair" on the second floor of the school using "quiet feet" and descended down the stairs using alternating feet. Once over in the gym, we participated in a cardiovascular endurance game Zombie Tag. To finish our Halloween theme, we used our listening skills in Monster from Mars.


1st, 2nd & 3rd grade got the opportunity to warm up playing Zombie Flag Tag (CV). Then, they practiced accuracy in overhand and underhand throws along with quick footwork to guard their "ghost." We listened to the original theme music while we played the game Ghost Busters. The lesson ended with listening skills playing Monster from Mars. Third grade learned about the importance of a wider base of support and center of gravity in Native American Wrestling (MS/ME).

4th, 5th, and 6th grades started outside practicing passing and receiving skills. They, then put those skills into a lead up game called Football 21. A take off of the basketball game, 21 where each teams attempts to accumulate points by completing a pass against defense in one of the three zones worth 1, 3, or 7 points. Applying more football type rules to the lesson, we ended with the game Four Downs. We ended the lesson by going inside to use quick feet and throwing accuracy in Ghost Busters, our Halloween game.

7th and 8th grades also started outside practicing passing and receiving skills. They, then moved into Football 21, a football version of the basketball game, 21 where each teams attempts to accumulate points by completing a pass against defense in one of the three zones. Building onto the rules of football, the lesson ended with the game, Four Downs

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Welcome to St. Mark's P.E.

In physical education, students will learn to develop and maintain physical fitness, understand the benefits of regular participation in physical activity, learn and practice good sportsmanship, and come to an understanding that physical activity provides the opportunity for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and communication.