What have we been doing in PE? Finally...my first post!

 Hello!  Welcome to the wonderful world of Keystone Physical Education.  I apologize that it has taken me so long to get my blog up and running, but I suppose it's better late than never.

I have to apologize for the delay, but I have finally entered the world of blogging!  My ultimate goal as the physical education teacher at Keystone Elementary is to get our kids active by exploring their physical abilities while working cooperatively with others.  Another big goal that am beginning to achieve as an educator is to share all of the things we do in PE with parents, community members, and colleagues.  So welcome to my blog!

This is my first year of teaching PE at the elementary level and it is great.  This, however, is not my first year in the BC District.  The last seven years I taught at high school working with 9-12 grade students in PE and Health.  To say that this year has brought many changes would be an understatement.  While I do miss working with teenagers, I really enjoy working our K-3 students as well and they keep me on my toes.

We have had a busy year in the gym.  With this being my first year of teaching elementary physical education I have earned a lot about myself and the students.  It has been awesome seeing the excitement on their faces when they remember that it's a 'PE Day.'

Kindergarten and First Grade started the year learning about and practicing locomotor movements.  Ask them to show you how they skip, gallop, or jog.  We also spent some time with moving through general space safely.  Then we began a manipulative unit where we have been working with scarves, bean bags, and balls to name a few.  We have also bee working on our color site words by spelling them and sounding them out.

Second and Third Grade students began by reviewing locomotor movements and then moved into manipulating a variety of objects.  We worked on our tossing and catching with varying games and activities.  A few days have been spent with fitness testing.  Students performed the shuttle run and sit up test.  We will get to the jump rope and flexibility tests as well.  During our latest unit, we focused on juggling.  As the students are not yet professional jugglers, we have set a good foundation so if you see them practicing continue to encourage their progress.

As with the K-1 students, we have included some activities which are aimed at helping improve their literacy and math scores.  From time to time we include some spelling terms and math equations so that they may continue to make deeper connections to their classroom material as well.

Please look for more frequent posts.  I intend to stay more connected with you all through this blog.

Below are some photos from the 2nd and 3rd Grade Fitness Circuit we did one day incorporating some of their spelling words and math skills.