Mile Run Testing!!

The weather has been GORGEOUS GORGEOUS, when it hasn't been snowing, hailing, or sleeting!!  So, we have been doing mile run testing, weather permitting, of course.  My goal is to have each class in grades 2-5 have two mile run tests this spring.  Depending on the weather, special events, field trips, assemblies, etc. -- some classes may only have one chance at the mile for the spring. Regardless of 1 or 2 trials, I'll record their best score in the FitnessGram, and reports will go home in June.   Grades K & 1 will complete a half-mile run "test".  Unfortunately, FitnessGram doesn't have a space for a half mile test on their reports.  Completing this activity is a cardiovascular fitness activity, and prepares students very well for the mile run test.  The cardiovascular fitness test for grades K-1 will be the PACER test.  See the FitnessGram website for more information, or contact me for more information.  

Students are encouraged to pace themselves, start slow to let their bodies warm up, AND to save their final bursts of energy for the last part of their mile.  If needed, they are definitely allowed to walk - I share with all students that when running, I often take "walk breaks" during my run.  Taking a little walk break lets me catch my breath for a moment, and have energy to jog more over the course of my run.  After students finish their mile run/jog/walk, they continue walking/jogging/running the track until we do a final cool-down stretch before transitioning back into the building.

A class takes off along the "sidewalk track" for the mile.  See the Fitness Testing post for more information.  

Sky Tri Triathlon

I recently completed my third sprint triathlon, the Sky Tri.  The event raised money for the Skyline swimming program, and took place at Skyline High School Sunday, April 21.

I LOVE doing triathlons -- I don't come close to winning my age group, let alone the whole race -- but I really enjoy the challenge.  My sister-in-law also did the race - her first triathlon!!  It was an amazing experience, and I have talked with some classes about the experience.  I trained for about 8 weeks, with a good fitness base before starting swim, bike, and run training for the race.

Check out these links for ways to find triathlons or other events.  There are kids' triathlons, too, with age-adjusted distances for each event.

Tri Kids Tri:  Right here in Ann Arbor!!

TriFind:  Look for Triathlons by state, distance, beginner, women's only, and more.

Kids TriFind:  A section of TriFind for kids' triathlons!!

Chelsea Kids Triathlon!  Check this out!

TriNewbies Training Programs:  I used this training program (almost exactly) for my first triathlon in 2004, and then had to make many more adjustments to it for my summer 2012 race.  For the Sky Tri, I did my own training (roughly:  one "brick" workout per week, one day off, and the rest of the days spread between running, biking, and swimming).

Below are some pictures from the Sky Tri!  It was a great event, and was managed by Epic Races.  Epic is a former Haisley parent's business!!  (Tri Kids Tri is also an Epic Races' event!)  It's a small world, indeed.  The race was incredibly well organized and I would highly recommend any of their events!

My kids decorating my shoes....duck tape to help block the chilly wind!!  

That's me with the green/black helmet - putting my bike back after swimming and biking.  Ready to run!  

Finish!!!!!  Right into my oldest daughter's arms!  

Best cheering squad ever - my niece, nephew, and my kids!  

We did it!  

Sit and Reach testing and Curl-Ups

Sit & Reach Testing
We use a metal box with a slider to measure how far students can stretch.  Students set up their body straight in front of the box, feet flat on the box.  Then, one knee up, and students reach three times with both hands.  They have to keep their straight leg straight while reaching.  Then, they switch:  other knee up, other leg straight.  This method of testing (with one knee up, then switch) is designed to a) protect students' back and b) identify flexibility differences between legs.  

Curl-Ups Test

Curl-ups, rather than full sit-ups, are used to measure abdominal muscle strength and endurance.  A measuring strip is used on the mat.  This measuring strip helps students know how far they need to curl up, and is an attempt to make the curl-up more uniform for all students testing.  I use tape on the mats to mark out the measuring strip distance (for grades 3-5, the measuring strip is wider than for grades K-2).  As students curl-up using their abdominal muscles, they feel with their fingers along the measuring strip.  When they reach the other edge of the tape with their fingers, they can lower themselves back down.  There is also an audio track that plays during this test, setting the pace for the curl-ups.  If students fall behind the pace, or break form, they are allowed one warning.  Another break in form or another pace warning ends their test.  

Students completing the curl-up test.  A scoring partner watches for form, pace, and writes down the testing student's score.  Six students test at once, so I can also watch student form and pace.  

Fitness Testing!!

We are beginning our Spring round of fitness testing.  This is important to have an end-of-year marker for students' fitness levels, and we hope to improve our scores from the fall round of testing.  For most tests, I record the best score into the FitnessGram report your student will receive home with their final June report card.  

Testing includes: 
Curl-ups (Abdominal endurance)
Flexed Arm Hang (Upper body strength and endurance)
Half Mile (K-1) and Mile Run Test (2-5) (Cardiovascular endurance)
Trunk Lift (Core strength and flexibility)
Sit and Reach (Hamstring flexibility)
Height and Weight measurement (Body Mass Index)

For kindergarten students, this spring round of testing is their first, and the goal for kindergarten "testing" is experiencing the tests for the first time.  

For all classes, procedures and rules are reviewed and the test is demonstrated before testing.  Individual improvement and reaching the "Healthy Fitness Zone" is emphasized, as opposed to emphasizing being the best scoring student in the class or grade level.  

For more FitnessGram testing information, please see the FitnessGram Parent website, or contact me if you have any questions or concerns about your child's participation in our fitness testing.  

Mile Run "Bubble Sheets", pre-labeled with names and Fall Mile Run Scores for students.   Pre-labeling them saves time, and allows students to see their own previous score individually.
Students are encouraged to try to beat their previous score.
Thank goodness for binder clips!!  

"Bubble Sheets" for mile run.  Students carry their own (half sheet of paper).  Each lap, I mark in the "bubble".  At their 6th lap, I note the time and keep their sheet to record their time in each student's FitnessGram record.  3rd graders, 4th graders, 5th graders, and spring 2nd graders participate in this test.  Spring 2nd graders participate to prepare for the fall 3rd grade mile run test.  

"Bubble Sheets" for half mile run.  Same procedure as the mile run.  Kindergarteners, 1st graders, and Fall 2nd graders participate in a timed half mile.  The goal of a timed half mile is to prepare students for a full mile.  

More posts to come with pictures of fitness testing!!!!