Burr Elementary Physical Education
Burr students have been practicing using their noodles to prepare for Field Day. Students will not only have to use their cognitive noodles but also pool noodles to complete a variety of tasks. Some of the strategies they will use will involve teamwork, hustle and encouragement. The videos show students practicing some of the patterns they will use during the day. The first video is a teamwork activity where students must work together to transport as many noodle slices as they can without dropping them. In the second video you can see students negotiating a variety of obstacles while hustling and encouraging their teammates. Looking forward to next Friday. Please, ask your student about their day.
Spring is in the air, which means Field Day is on the horizon. Field Day will be Friday, May 31st with a Wednesday, June 5th rain date. Students will be required to use their noodles this year, as all the events will involve actively using pool noodles in some way. If you wish to volunteer to help out on Field Day please contact me at tbergantino@rsd17.org. Thank you.
Students enjoyed practicing keeping their hearts healthy. The American Heart Association estimates that they saved almost a hundred lives through their efforts. Thanks to all and have a great break.
In two weeks students will put their heart health to the test during our Kid’s Heart Challenge event during class on April 9th,11th &12th. We will be focused on keeping our hearts healthy by remembering to drink water instead of sugary drinks and eating fruits and veggies instead of foods high in sodium. We also played a game that will remind us not to start using tobacco or e-cigarettes. Finally students worked in teams to practice long-rope jumping. This really got our hearts and our teamwork pumping. Please, ask your child about their class.
The teamwork in the gym was striking to behold. In the first video you will notice student teams engaged in a mixture of non traditional and traditional exercises. This month stusdent teams have created their own exercise circuits. Teams were given a target area of the body and they had to create a repeatable pattern that would exercise that area of the body. This particular class invented Starlifts (full body/cardio). Energy Core(middle body), Leg Kickers(lower body), and Upper Bridges(upper body). The second video shows a fourth grade class using striking patterns to achieve a goal they set for themselves. Please, ask your child about their class.
Students used striking patterns this week to practice teamwork. Younger grades did partner work and then applied their striking patterns during a game called hand soccer. Upper grades worked on positioning and teamwork during a game called Blob Sttike. Students at all levels impressed me with their ability to work together. Please, ask them about their class.
Students explored the value of teamwork this week by participating in a modified Iditarod. The students realized how much easier it is to reach their objective when they work as a team. Students also discussed the importance being a safe teammate and how that makes the team better. Please, ask your child about their class.
As a culminating activity this week students are applying their basketball skills in a game called Trophies(video). Students need to access the patterns they practiced in a dynamic environment. This will become one of our anchor games for the rest of the year. Please, ask you child about their class.
Students’ dribbling, shooting and passing skills are developing. More importantly, students’ ability to work together as a team is strong. This week we applied our skills in a variety of ways. Fourth grade played a version of full court basketball. Middle grades played a game called Give and Go(video) and Kindergarten played a dribbling version of Mr. Fox. Please, ask them about their class.
Students continued to develop their basketball related patterns this week. Students practiced dribbling and shooting patterns in hopes of further developing them and making them permanent. The first video is a dribbling game in which students must dynamically maneuver through shard space, while dribbling a basketball at different levels. They were tasked with delivering Valentines to other teams while maintaining control of the ball. Upper grade students had their choice of applying their shooting patterns in either Knockout or Make-It-Take-It.
Lower grades worked on dribbling and shooting patterns in a less dynamic setting. Please, ask your child about their class.
Lower grades worked on dribbling and shooting patterns in a less dynamic setting. Please, ask your child about their class.
Students will be working with basketball related patterns over the next few weeks. Staying in an athletic position and controlling the ball are important to a mature dribbling pattern. You can see the development from Kindergarten to fourth grade in the videos. Please, ask your child about their class.
Students were able to enjoy adjusting their kicking and throwing patterns with footballs. In the video you can see the students using a kicking pattern to play Field Goal Frenzy. The second video shows students using throwing, catching and defense patterns to play Footseball. All students are ready for the Super Bowl. Please, ask your child about their class.
The beginning of a new year is a great time to set goals. Over the next few weeks students will be working on setting short term and long term fitness goals. We will use the PACER in all grades to apply our short and long term goals. It has been about 15 weeks since our last PACER. This is a great time for students to assess any changes to their aerobic capacity over that time and plan for their future fitness. Please, ask them about their class.
This week students worked really hard so they could get next week off. We enjoyed eachother's company while employing the strategies, motor patterns and sportsmanship we have practiced this school year. Have a restful break and please ask you child about their class.
Students may need to ask for bigger hats for holidays as their brains may not fit in their old ones any more. Students did a great job of further developing their patterns in a varitey of ways. You can see teamwork, hustle and encouragement on display in the video. Please, ask them about their class.
Students have continued to use their bodies to teach their brains. We have been focusing on building creative structures that will engage our "Specials" hemisphere of our brain. Students worked individually and in groups to create and duplicate a variety of intricate structures. We also worked with some timed stacking patterns which allowed students to gauge their progress and further develop their non-dominant hand. Please, ask them about their class.
This week students focused on building their brains. We took a look inside the human brain and discussed its functions and responsibilities. Students will be building their bodies and brains by performing exercises in which they need to move trans-laterally and cross the midline of their bodies. Students will also continue to work to build muscle-memory and bi-lateral integration. Students understand that their brains learn through patterning they will use stacking cups to perform a varitey of patterns. See if you can detect any patterns in the video. Students will be more excited the next time their brain feels confused because they know that is part of learning. Please, ask them about their class.
Students got a Thanksgiving Day treat this week. They were able to impress our turkeys with their muscular endurance, exercise skills and creativity (video). Older grades explored nutrition labels and all students reflected on the importance of powering our bodies with healthy foods. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
We are further developing a variety of skills in the gym this week. You can see in the video Kindergarteners practicing catching, throwing, balancing and jumping. We also worked on strengthening our core and exhibiting the character traits of good teammates. Please, ask them about their class.
We are getting a spooktackular workout in the gym this week. Students are putting their skill patterns to the test during activity relays and games like Ghost Hunter (high target) and Pumpkin Patch (low target). We have to work off all that candy somehow. Please, ask your child about their class.
Students are just kicking it this week. We have been modifying our kicking patterns. Older grades focused on striking the ball with their feet while on a skooter, while playing scooter soccer. Younger grades had to focus while modifying their patterns to kick smaller balls during a game called Goalies. Each class exhibited teamwork, hustle and encouragement while playing the games. Please, ask them about their class.
Students are working on a variety of patterns during P.E. this week. Station work this week required students to balance, toss, jump, catch, strike and use fine motor skills as well. In the pictures you can see students using teamwork. The video captures a Kindergarter developing her rope jumping skills. Notice she distinguishes between her swing of the rope and her jump over it. Please, ask you child about their class.
Encouragement is a pattern that is becoming permanent in the gym. Students at all levels played team games this week. Students know that if they practice being a good teammate and working hard they will encourage their classmates. The games we played reinforced those patterns as well as striking with their feet. Please, ask them about their class.
This week students are working on controlling a manipulative with their feet. Younger students are exploring how to tap and kick a ball with differnt parts of their feet. Older students are working on controlling a ball with their feet while changing directions and speeds. Students had the opportunity to be good partners and teammates this week as well. Even though their target may change (self, partner, goal) they know if the they practice the pattern they will be more successful. Please, ask them about their class.
Weak=Strong. This week students are exploring the concept of making their bodies weak so they will become stronger. We discussed how at the end of a workout we feel weaker than when we started. The above photos are of some students performing some exercise patterns and taking the PACER this week. The PACER is an endurance run designed to make us find the point at which we become tired and weak. Students are now on the lookout for the strength that comes from making our heart. lungs, and muscles work that hard. Please, ask them about their class.
This is a picture of National Physical Education Standards printed on the wall of the gym. They are prominently displayed because these 5 overarching concepts set the purpose for everything we do in the gym. At the beginning of each class we discuss the standards and skills we will be focusing on for the day. The goal of these National Physical Education Standards are to develop us into physically literate individuals who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity.
The first few weeks will have focused on Standard 1 which focuses on motor skills and movement patterns. The patterns and skills taught and practiced in class are ones that are utilized in the games played out at recess. Students have worked on kicking, striking, dodging, and throwing so they can feel more confident when joining one of the many games of GaGa, kickball, or four square played outside.
We will also work on teamwork Below is a video of Kindergarten sharing space and working together. We are having a fantastic start to the new year. Please, ask your child about their class.
The first few weeks will have focused on Standard 1 which focuses on motor skills and movement patterns. The patterns and skills taught and practiced in class are ones that are utilized in the games played out at recess. Students have worked on kicking, striking, dodging, and throwing so they can feel more confident when joining one of the many games of GaGa, kickball, or four square played outside.
We will also work on teamwork Below is a video of Kindergarten sharing space and working together. We are having a fantastic start to the new year. Please, ask your child about their class.
June 5, 2018
What an amazing Field Day we had. I believe the fun was with us that day and the students did a great job of using teamwork, hustle and encouragement to be the best Cougar Cubs they could be. I personally want to thank the teachers and staff for being so flexible due to the weather, the PTO for the fantastic skating assembly and the students for making sure everything was safe and fun. Special thanks go out to Danielle Tabaka, Brian Conte, Steven Wrinn, Lisa Hollman, Maggie Nablo, Laura Melanson,Veronica and Anthony Pizzorusso, Kathryn Bratzner, Karen Therrien, Tiffany McCauley, Karyn Felder, Alli Behnke, Dave Saraceno, Jenn and Sal LoGuidice, Dan Moriarty, Kara and Greg Sanderson, Jenessa Cretella, Ella and Paul Demaio, Rob Harlow, Mark Peryga, Jamie Sciacia, Lisa Van Zilen, Adrianna Schull, Denise Lamountad, Jennifer Favolora and Ed Miller for all their help in making the day possible. Can't wait until next Field Day.
What an amazing Field Day we had. I believe the fun was with us that day and the students did a great job of using teamwork, hustle and encouragement to be the best Cougar Cubs they could be. I personally want to thank the teachers and staff for being so flexible due to the weather, the PTO for the fantastic skating assembly and the students for making sure everything was safe and fun. Special thanks go out to Danielle Tabaka, Brian Conte, Steven Wrinn, Lisa Hollman, Maggie Nablo, Laura Melanson,Veronica and Anthony Pizzorusso, Kathryn Bratzner, Karen Therrien, Tiffany McCauley, Karyn Felder, Alli Behnke, Dave Saraceno, Jenn and Sal LoGuidice, Dan Moriarty, Kara and Greg Sanderson, Jenessa Cretella, Ella and Paul Demaio, Rob Harlow, Mark Peryga, Jamie Sciacia, Lisa Van Zilen, Adrianna Schull, Denise Lamountad, Jennifer Favolora and Ed Miller for all their help in making the day possible. Can't wait until next Field Day.
May 24, 2018
May The Fun Be With Us next Friday for Field Day. We continue to practice our patterns and our teamwork, hustle, and encouragement. Below is a video of 4th grade practicing for the Limbo contest on Field Day. Notice the body control, balance, and varying strategies the students employ to meet their goal of getting under the bar without touching it. Great work by all!!!
May The Fun Be With Us next Friday for Field Day. We continue to practice our patterns and our teamwork, hustle, and encouragement. Below is a video of 4th grade practicing for the Limbo contest on Field Day. Notice the body control, balance, and varying strategies the students employ to meet their goal of getting under the bar without touching it. Great work by all!!!
May 15, 2018
The Cougar Cubs are continuing to prepare for Field Day this week. We have been working together as a team in a variety of ways. We learned and played a game called Destroy the Deathstar. Dancing is also a way we can be a team and stay fit. Below is a video of one of the songs we have been busting moves to. See if you can do it with your child.
The Cougar Cubs are continuing to prepare for Field Day this week. We have been working together as a team in a variety of ways. We learned and played a game called Destroy the Deathstar. Dancing is also a way we can be a team and stay fit. Below is a video of one of the songs we have been busting moves to. See if you can do it with your child.
May 2, 2018
This week students are exercising their bodies as well as their technology skills. The video shows some third grade students getting some encouraging exercise messages from the fourth graders. Fourth grade teams created repeatable exercise patterns and demonstrated them on video. Classes this week used the ipads learn, execut and enjoy the exercises they were taught. We also began practicing some new Field Day games that we will use during our May The Fun Be With You field day. Please, ask you child about their class.
This week students are exercising their bodies as well as their technology skills. The video shows some third grade students getting some encouraging exercise messages from the fourth graders. Fourth grade teams created repeatable exercise patterns and demonstrated them on video. Classes this week used the ipads learn, execut and enjoy the exercises they were taught. We also began practicing some new Field Day games that we will use during our May The Fun Be With You field day. Please, ask you child about their class.