Week of 3/28: Ultimate and Centers

This week:
Upper Elementary:  Ultimate Frisbee!!  We will simply call our game "Ultimate", since 3rd and 4th graders play with a foam ball.  Fifth graders play with a frisbee.  We use simplified rules for all grades.

Ultimate Rules

1. Start play with a "throwoff" - similar to a kickoff.  A team starts with the frisbee or ball in their endzone.  They throw it toward the other team, who are also in their endzone.  Play begins from wherever the opposite team gets the ball.  
2. Score if your team completes a pass in defense's end zone
3. Dropped/incomplete pass --> turnover
4. No physical contact on defense, and must be 1:1 defense (no double/triple teaming) - depending on the class and how the game was going, defending the person with the ball/frisbee may or may not have been allowed.
5. No steps with frisbee or ball -- only pivot/pass when holding ball/frisbee

Classes are divided into four teams, and each team wears matching colored jerseys.  Two teams play 2-4 minutes at a time (depending on the length of the class - longer class = longer playing time), then we rotate.  Waiting teams stand along the side and watch the game, paying attention and standing up for safety.  We switch up who plays against who, and each class period, new teams are formed.  Students really enjoyed this game -- it's fun to see their competitive spirit!!

During this activity, we are working on many outcomes, based on the SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards.  Some targeted outcomes include:

• underhand/overhand throw
• passing with hands
• catching
• space awareness:  awareness of and practice with moving to open space
• strategies and tactics:  basic offense/defense concepts
• personal responsibility
• accepting feedback
• working with others
• following rules
• safety

Fifth graders starting the game with a "throwoff"

 

Lower Elementary:  Centers!  This week, continuing center-based work.  Centers included: 

1.  Dice fitness:  Roll a die, do the matching exercise.  (Same as last week's center!)
2. Bowling:  Throw (underhand or overhand) the jack to knock over the bowling pins.  
3. Hula hoop:  choose one hoop.  New this week, students choose between a smaller hoop or larger hoop. 
4. Underhand toss:  Toss the fish into his/her "pond" (tape target on the floor).  
5. Jump rope:  Practice starting with the rope behind you, swing rope over your head, step or jump (feet together!) over the rope.  

During these center activities, we are working on many outcomes, based on the SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards.  Some targeted outcomes include: 

• jumping and landing
• dance
• underhand throw, overhand throw
• jumping rope
• space awareness
• speed, direction, and force
• personal responsibility
• accepting feedback
• working with others
• following rules
• safety

Weeks of 2/22 - 3/21!! Wow!!

We have been very busy in PE in the past month!!  First, some announcements and information:  

1.  PE report cards:  PE reports went to all students in lower elementary (young fives through second grade).  FitnessGram fitness testing reports will be sent home in June for grades 3-5.  I was involved in a committee of PE teachers who worked to revise the PE report card.  I appreciate all feedback on the report card (format, length, information included, etc.)!!  Please let me know if you have thoughts or suggestions on our PE report cards.

2.  Jump Rope for Heart wrap-up:  Haisley's Jump Rope for Heart event occurred during regularly schedule PE classes in February, and we raised over $4,000 for the American Heart Association!  Bravo, Haisley!  We helped many people with special hearts with our efforts, and learned how to take care of our own hearts, too!  Our efforts also earned Haisley a $300 US Games (PE supply vendor) gift certificate, which purchased new scooters and scooter storage poles.

Upper elementary students enjoyed more time with long jump ropes, and lower elementary students participated in more center-based activities, including more time with rope shapes (see attached pictures!).

3.  Thank you, Haisley PTO!!   PTO classroom grant funds purchased new coated foam frisbees, and 24" hula hoops.  These smaller hoops are SO FUN (and so much easier for younger students to manage than our larger hoops)!!  We used the frisbees and hula hoops this week, and loved them!!  Thank you PTO!!

And now, the pictures!!  Here are some snapshots of what we've been up to in the past month!

First grade: rope shapes

These first graders have heart. :)  

Cutting and pasting our germs craftivity booklet during first grade health.  

Cutting and pasting our germs craftivity booklet during first grade health.  

First graders:  it takes heart to be a hero!  <3

These creative first graders made a portrait of me with their ropes on the floor.  Notice my ponytail!  =)  

Learning about muscles and bones during first grade health.  

Driving hula hoop "cars" around on the "roads" (lines on the floor).  

Upper elementary students work on long jump rope skills:  turning the rope and jumping.  

Upper el: long ropes

Upper el: long ropes

Lower el:  dice warm up.  Roll the die, do the exercise that matches.  

Lower el dice warm-up

Lower el dice warm-up

Frisbees!  Thank you PTO!  

Upper el dice warm-up

Lower el centers:  dice (same as warm-up, but each student had their own die) and bowling

Lower el centers:  hula hoop, bean bag toss, and toss/catch the giant jack

Upper el: frisbee toss through the hoop

Upper el:  Ultimate Frisbee pass/catch practice

Upper el:  toss through the hoop

Upper el:  toss/catch practice with partner - forehand and backhand throwing

Upper el:  Toss through a hoop

Dice Exercise warm-up:  purchased from TeachersPayTeachers.  Click here to view.