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

Rick's Run for Kids!!!

Looking for a family fitness event?  This weekend, October 24, there is a family friendly 5K event at Gallup Park.  The event is Rick's Run for Kids, and it to honor the late Rick Dekeon.  Rick was a fellow AAPS PE teacher and an incredible role model, teacher, and colleague.  His life's work was inspiring physical activity and health for all.  My family and I will be there, as well as Ms. Scarnecchia and her daughter Sophia, along with hundreds of other participants.  Join us this Saturday for this family fitness activity!

New Warm-Up

I recently observed a warm-up in another PE class and thought we would give it a try!  Here's a picture of fourth grade students participating here at Haisley.  I am introducing this warm-up to students this week.

Gym setup:  Four cones near one endline, different colors.  A corresponding set of four cones (matching colors) near the other endline.  Students divide into approximately even groups, behind the cones at one end of the gym.

Activity:  Students move, one at a time, to the other cone using the specified skill (run, skip, gallop, slide-step, high knees, back kicks, etc.).  Once they reach the other cone, they walk around the edges back to their group's start cone.  Students wait until the person before them reaches the half court line before starting.  It's not a race, and with built-in walking breaks, allows students to self-pace appropriately for their cardiovascular fitness level.

We usually do warm-up activities for five minutes or less.  Often the length of one song is perfect, and the addition of music helps increase energy.  =)

Jump Rope!

This week, students will be learning a new warm-up routine, and then starting a jump rope unit.  We begin with basics:  how to measure a jump rope and find the right length for you, basic jumps (single and double bounce jumps), and then go through some basic and advanced jump rope tricks for those who are ready.

Earlier in the school year, K-2 students experienced some movement exploration lessons with jump ropes.  For those lessons, ropes were on the floor and not used for traditional rope jumping.  For these lessons, we are focusing on the skill of jumping over the rope in a rhythmic, consistent pattern.  Students who have mastered basic jumping skills will then work on more advanced jumping skills.

Some of our jump rope tricks/skills include:

• Straddles (side, front, double)
• X
• Rocker
• Boxer
• Skier
• Bells
• Skier-bell combo
• Twister
• Peek-a-boo
• Heel to heel
• Toe to toe
• Heel-to-toe
• Front leg kicks

Jumping rope is an excellent cardiovascular fitness activity.  The Jump Rope Institute has some excellent resources related to jumping rope.  

2014 Detroit Turkey Trot

Why not start Thanksgiving morning super early with a little 6.2 mile run around downtown Detroit?  It was a beautiful morning for a run!!  

Fitness continued!!

As we finish up fitness testing, we have continued to do fitness activities.  For one of our fitness activities, students go around the track and after each lap, stop to do a specific exercise.  This helps students keep track of how many laps they have done, and integrates some of the exercises and stretches we have learned throughout the year.  

Before starting any fitness activity, we discuss why fitness activities are important.  We use the term cardiovascular fitness for *heart health*.  We do activities to make our hearts beat faster, because that makes our hearts stronger and more healthy.  We also are doing these activities to prepare for the Haisley Hustle Walk-A-Thon, Friday, May 17!!  

Exercises with pictures for lower elementary students.  

Bright shoes! 

Exercises for upper elementary students.  

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.  

3-5: Jump Rope Intro and Centers

Grades 3-5 are starting our jump rope unit.  We begin with the basics:  how to measure a jump rope.  Ask your student to show you how we measure to have the appropriate rope for each student's height.  We also review basic jumping techniques:  single jumps, double jumps (double bounce), and focusing on wrist movement (versus swinging arms) to keep the rope going.  Older students also choose between a beaded jump rope and a speed rope.

Basic jump rope tricks begin with different leg movements - starting with jumping on one foot.  Other tricks include ski jumps with the jump rope (two feet together, jump side to side), and other variations where just the feet move.  More advanced tricks include cross-overs (where the rope is crossed, and the student jumps through the loop created by crossing), and even 180 degree turns while jumping.

To practice some basic jumping skills, we rotate through jump rope centers.  Center descriptions are below.  With all classes, students have diverse ability levels.  If students are working on basic rhythm and rope movement, they work on those basic skills while others may be working on more advanced skills.  Students are intentionally grouped with others of different ability levels, and encouraged to help each other with skills.  A supportive environment is always what we strive for.

Students take turns turning long ropes and jumping. They can use different jump rope rhymes. Some are posted on the gym wall (see additional photos below).  Jump rope rhymes are from the book Anna Banana by Joanna Cole.  The book is full of jump rope rhymes, and the Haisley media center has it.  Check it out!