This Week's Agenda

We will work on movement games in our abbreviated week.
I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY START TO 2012!

This Week's Agenda

December is Safe Toys and Gift Month and the National Hand Washing Awareness Week (4-10).
8^th Grade—will work on a movement game along with jump ropes.  We will continue to talk about reaching our quarter 4 President’s testing goals.

7^th Grade—homework will be due December 13 (was given out December 7).  We will work on movement activities.

6th Grade—the General Music class will have homework due Friday (December 16—given out December 12) and the Band Choir class has homework due Monday (December 12 and will also have homework handed out December 16 that will be due next week).  We will also work on a fitness circuit.

4th and 5th Grades—we have been working on different kinds of jumping rope in class and we will continue to work on them.  We will work on partner fitness stations to build on our fitness.  We will also play a movement game.

2/3 Split (Elliot) and 3rd Grade—will continue to work on jump rope with one leg at a time and relay races to build teamwork aspects of Physical Education.

2nd Grade (Norman)—will continue to do some activities with the scooters.

Kindergarten and 1st Grade—will work on throwing and catching a tennis ball underhand.  Both groups have been working on dominant hands, but we will start working on non-dominant hands as well.  Our focus is improving hand-eye coordination and learning about teamwork.  We will also learn a new tag game.

Preschool will continue to work on stretches, single person races, and team races. Our focus is on paying attention to the best our ability and showing the best effort we can along with teamwork.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

This Week's Agenda

December is Safe Toys and Gift Month and the National Hand Washing Awareness Week (4-10).
As it is getting colder, if students would like to wear sweatpants, they may as long as they are a solid color (dark color) over the top of their Holy Spirit gym shorts. Students may also wear a Holy Spirit sweatshirt over the top of their Holy Spirit gym shirt. The normal gym uniform, regardless of sweatpants and sweatshirts, is to be worn each and every class.

8^th Grade—will be given a homework assignment on Monday December 5 that is due Friday December 9 at the start of class.  We will continue to work on partner fitness circuits where one partner is competing against another.  Each station will be timed and our focus will be competing, but also building our cardiovascular endurance, while working on skill development with each station.

7^th Grade—will be given a homework assignment on Wednesday December 7 (we will have Unified Arts Wednesday instead of Thursday to observe the December 8^th Holy Day—Feast of the Immaculate Conception) and the assignment is due Tuesday November 13.  We will continue to work on partner fitness circuits where one partner is competing against another.  Each station will be timed and our focus will be competing, but also building our cardiovascular endurance, while working on skill development with each station.

6th Grade—the Band/Choir class will be given a homework assignment on Tuesday December 6 that is due Monday December 12 (the General Music class has already completed it).    We will start to work on partner fitness circuits where one partner is competing against another.  Each station will be timed and our focus will be competing, but also building our cardiovascular endurance, while working on skill development with each station.

4th and 5th Grades—we have been working on different kinds of jumping rope in class and we will continue to work on them.  We will start to work on partner fitness stations to build on our fitness movements to music.  We will also play a tag game as well.

2/3 Split (Elliot) and 3rd Grade—will continue to work on jump rope with one leg at a time and relay races to build teamwork aspects of Physical Education.

2nd Grade (Norman)—will continue to do some activities with the scooters. We learned last week how to use the scooters properly (safety).

Kindergarten and 1st Grade—will work on throwing and catching a tennis ball underhand. Kindergarten has been working already in this area and first grade will start this week. Our focus is improving hand-eye coordination and learning about teamwork.  We will also learn a new tag game.

Preschool will continue to work on stretches, single person races, and team races. Our focus is on paying attention to the best our ability and showing the best effort we can along with teamwork.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

This Week's Agenda

November is American Diabetes Month, COPD Awareness Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, National Healthy Skin Month, National Hospice Palliative Care Month, National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, Prematurity Awareness Month, Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (6-12), Get Smart About Antibiotics Week (14-20), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Awareness Week (20-26), Great American Smokeout (17), Prematurity Awareness Day (17), and National Survivors of Suicide Day (19).

As it is getting colder, if students would like to wear sweatpants, they may as long as they are a solid color (dark color) over the top of their Holy Spirit gym shorts.  Students may also wear a Holy Spirit sweatshirt over the top of their Holy Spirit gym shirt.  The normal gym uniform, regardless of sweatpants and sweatshirts, is to be worn each and every class.

7^th and 8^th Grades—will work on partner fitness circuits where one partner is competing against another.  Each station will be timed and our focus will be competing, but also building our cardiovascular endurance, while working on skill development with each station.

6^th Grade—will work with the jump ropes and relay races to build teamwork aspects of Physical Education.

4^th and 5^th Grades—will work on jump rope with one leg at a time and fitness movements (incorporating both walking and jogging to music) to improve pacing.

2/3 Split (Elliot) and 3^rd Grade—will work on jump rope with one leg at a time and relay races to build teamwork aspects of Physical Education.

2^nd Grade (Norman)—will do some activities with the scooters.  We will learn how to use the scooters properly (safety) and enjoy some games with them.

Kindergarten and 1^st Grade—will work on throwing and catching a tennis ball underhand.  Kindergarten has been working already in this area and first grade will start this week.  Our focus is improving hand-eye coordination and learning about teamwork.

Preschool will continue to work on stretches, single person races, and team races.  Our focus is on paying attention to the best our ability and showing the best effort we can along with teamwork.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING AND SAFE TRAVELS!

This Week's Agenda

November is American Diabetes Month, COPD Awareness Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, National Healthy Skin Month, National Hospice Palliative Care Month, National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, Prematurity Awareness Month, Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (6-12), Get Smart About Antibiotics Week (14-20), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Awareness Week (20-26), Great American Smokeout (17), Prematurity Awareness Day (17), and National Survivors of Suicide Day (19).

As it is getting colder, if students would like to wear sweatpants, they may as long as they are a solid color (dark color) over the top of their Holy Spirit gym shorts.  Students may also wear a Holy Spirit sweatshirt over the top of their Holy Spirit gym shirt.  The normal gym uniform, regardless of sweatpants and sweatshirts, is to be worn each and every class.

We will have full days of school both Monday and Tuesday.  The only change in the calendar is Tuesday November 22 will be a Mass day, so we will not have Middle School Unified Arts on the 22^nd.  However, the 6-General Music class does have homework that is due by the 22^nd (brainstorm two ideas for each President’s testing event (8 events, so 16 ideas total) that can be used over the next 6-7 months to reach their fourth quarter President’s testing goal).  Students in 6-G.M. may turn in their homework prior to the 22^nd if it is done early.

We will play a Thanksgiving game with grades 2-5.

First grade will continue to work on jump ropes and learn a new movement game.

Kindergarten will continue to work on jump ropes along with underhand throwing and catching with tennis balls.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING AND SAFE TRAVELS!

This Week's Agenda

November is American Diabetes Month, COPD Awareness Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, National Healthy Skin Month, National Hospice Palliative Care Month, National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, Prematurity Awareness Month, Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (6-12), Get Smart About Antibiotics Week (14-20), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Awareness Week (20-26), Great American Smokeout (17), Prematurity Awareness Day (17), and National Survivors of Suicide Day (19).

As it is getting colder, if students would like to wear sweatpants, they may as long as they are a solid color (dark color) over the top of their Holy Spirit gym shorts.  Students may also wear a Holy Spirit sweatshirt over the top of their Holy Spirit gym shirt.  The normal gym uniform, regardless of sweatpants and sweatshirts, is to be worn each and every class.

We will not be in the gym on Monday or Tuesday (November 14 or 15) due to a giant map that will be used by Social Studies teachers.  If it is not raining, we will be outside for class (please make sure students are dressed accordingly).  If it is raining, we will do some activities in the classrooms.

8^th Grade—Homework is to brainstorm two ideas for each President’s testing event (8 events, so 16 ideas total) that can be used over the next 6-7 months to reach their fourth quarter President’s testing goal.  The homework is due Tuesday November 15.

7^th Grade— Homework is to brainstorm two ideas for each President’s testing event (8 events, so 16 ideas total) that can be used over the next 6-7 months to reach their fourth quarter President’s testing goal.  The homework for 7-General Music is due Monday November 14.  I will be giving out 7-Band/Choir homework on Monday November 14 and it will be due Friday November 18.

6^th Grade— Homework is to brainstorm two ideas for each President’s testing event (8 events, so 16 ideas total) that can be used over the next 6-7 months to reach their fourth quarter President’s testing goal.  The homework for 6-General Music is due Tuesday November 22 (we will not meet for class on the 22^nd because of Mass).  The 6-Band/Choir class is creating one realistic goal for each President’s testing event (8 goals—1 per test) and that will be due Thursday November 17).

I will only see 4-E and 4/5-G once each this week because of the 4/5 field trip to the symphony on Thursday (November 17).  We will be updating our activity sheets, working with jump ropes, and playing movement games with grades 4 and 5.

Third grade (Elliot and Ray) has been working on comparing and contrasting different games that we have played in class.  This type of vocabulary is used during class to help prepare students with vocabulary found on the ISTEP.  We will work with the jump ropes and play movement games.

First grade and second grade will continue to work with the jump ropes, play a movement game, and will continue to work in teams with relay races.

 Kindergarten will continue to work on jump ropes, but graduate from throwing and catching underhand with a volleyball to a tennis ball.  Students did a very good job throwing and catching with the volleyballs.

Preschool will continue to work on basic stretches, races, and Red Light/Green Light.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

This Week's Agenda

November is American Diabetes Month, COPD Awareness Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, National Healthy Skin Month, National Hospice Palliative Care Month, National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, Prematurity Awareness Month, Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (6-12), Get Smart About Antibiotics Week (14-20), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Awareness Week (20-26), Great American Smokeout (17), Prematurity Awareness Day (17), and National Survivors of Suicide Day (19).
As it is getting colder, if students would like to wear sweatpants they may as long as they are a solid color (dark color) over the top of their Holy Spirit gym shorts.  Students may also wear a Holy Spirit sweatshirt over the top of their Holy Spirit gym shirt.

The middle school has written a goal for each President’s testing event (8 goals—1 per test) in their journals that are realistic, but will also push each student.  Our next step in the process is brainstorming how we will reach that goal over the next 6-7 months (this will be homework heading into next week).  Ultimately, we will put an action plan together in journals and we will journal our results of those action plans.  Sixth grade will be finishing up their testing and will start this process that the seventh and eighth grades have begun.  We will also work on some movement activities during class as well.

Fourth and fifth grades will continue filling out our activity sheets during class, work with jump ropes, play some movement games, and work on relay races—using teamwork skills.

Third grade (Elliot and Ray) has been working on comparing and contrasting different games that we have played in class.  This type of vocabulary is used during class to help prepare students with vocabulary found on the ISTEP.  We will work with the jump ropes and play movement games.

First grade and second grade will continue to work with the jump ropes, play a movement game, and learn how to work in teams with relay races.

Kindergarten will continue to work on jump ropes, but will start to learn how to throw and catch.  We will initially work on throwing underhand and catching a ball the proper way.

Preschool will work on basic stretches, races, and Red Light/Green Light.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

This Week's Agenda

October is Eye Injury Prevention Month, Home Eye Safety Month, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Stop America’s Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Today Month, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, Mental Illness Awareness Week (2-8), Drive Safely to Work Week (3-7), Child Health Day (3), Walk to School Day (5), World Mental Health Day (10), World Food Day (16), Red Ribbon Week (23-31), and National Drug Facts Week (October 31-November 6).

8^th Grade—We will be updating our activity sheets, continuing to work on President’s testing goals, working on jump rope, and playing some movement games.  The eighth grade will be going on a field trip on Friday and will miss PE class.  However, there are four seventh graders in the 8/7-General Music class that will meet at normal class time on Friday

7^th Grade—We will be updating our activity sheets, continuing to work on President’s testing goals, working on jump rope, and playing some movement games

6^th Grade—We will be updating our activity sheets and continuing to work on President’s testing (we are almost finished)

4^th and 5^th Grade—We will be updating our activity sheets, working on jump rope, and working on movement games

3^rd Grade (including Elliot)—We will work on jump rope and a movement game

Kindergarten, 1^st Grade, 2^nd Grade (Norman)—We are transitioning from the balance beam to jump rope.  We will go over step by step how to do it and play a tag game that involves balance

Preschool—We will work on basic stretches, races, and Red Light/Green Light

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

Have A GREAT FALL BREAK and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

This Week's Agenda

October is Eye Injury Prevention Month, Home Eye Safety Month, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Stop America’s Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Today Month, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, Mental Illness Awareness Week (2-8), Drive Safely to Work Week (3-7), Child Health Day (3), Walk to School Day (5), World Mental Health Day (10), World Food Day (16), Red Ribbon Week (23-31), and National Drug Facts Week (October 31-November 6).

We will have an abbreviated schedule this week.  Monday will be a full day of school, with Tuesday and Wednesday as noon dismissals.

Monday October 24^th

6^th Grade—Sit and reach, pushups, and other make-ups for President’s testing

2^nd Grade (Norman)—Finish backwards down and back on balance beam

5^th Grade (McMahon)—Turn in activity sheets, talk about President’s testing, freeze tag

1^st Grade (O’Neal)—Finish forward down and backwards back on balance beam

Kindergarten (Hill)—Finish forward down and backwards back on balance beam

Tuesday October 25^th

7^th Grade—Finish pushups and other make-ups for President’s testing

4^th Grade (Eastman)—Work on jump rope and play a Halloween game

Wednesday October 26^th

2^nd Grade (Norman)—Work on jump rope and play PacMan Tag (focus is on balance)

5^th Grade (McMahon)—Work on jump rope and play a Halloween game

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

This Week's Agenda

October is Eye Injury Prevention Month, Home Eye Safety Month, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Stop America’s Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Today Month, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, Mental Illness Awareness Week (2-8), Drive Safely to Work Week (3-7), Child Health Day (3), Walk to School Day (5), World Mental Health Day (10), World Food Day (16), Red Ribbon Week (23-31), and National Drug Facts Week (October 31-November 6).

We are wrapping up with President’s testing with middle school this week (third, fourth, and fifth grades have completed the testing).  We will be talking about goals for the fourth quarter testing—realistic goals, but also how do we get to where we are now to where we want to go in the fourth quarter.

The Fall Program (20^th), put on by Mrs. Simms, will have rehearsal practices on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week (17^th, 18^th, and 19^th).  The practices will take place between 10:00 and 11:20 and because of this, it will affect PE class time for grades 4 and 5.  I will see Mrs. Eastman’s classes on Thursday and Mrs. Glenn’s class on Thursday and Friday, at normal times.  I will not see Mrs. McMahon’s class this week.

We are also participating in a program called Get Active Get Fit in kindergarten-eighth grade.  Students will fill out an activity sheet that lists what activities and the length of the activities.  The program will run through November 26.  The goal is to have each student active for a minimum of 20 minutes daily.

Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade will finish their work with the balance beam.  We will continue to incorporate balance into jump rope work in class along with tag games that involve balance and coordination.

Preschool will continue to work on being active during class.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

This Week's Agenda

October is Eye Injury Prevention Month, Home Eye Safety Month, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Stop America’s Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Today Month, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, Mental Illness Awareness Week (2-8), Drive Safely to Work Week (3-7), Child Health Day (3), Walk to School Day (5), World Mental Health Day (10), World Food Day (16), Red Ribbon Week (23-31), and National Drug Facts Week (October 31-November 6).

We are nearly finished with President’s testing (third grade through eighth grade)—a series of Physical Education tests that gauge muscular strength, muscular endurance, speed and quickness, and flexibility among others.  The tests include pull-ups, curl-ups, flex arm hang, shuttle run, pushups, sit and reach, mile run (half mile for third grade including Mrs. Elliot’s class), and I have added an additional test and that is the pole climb on the playground.  Returning students will be told their results of last year and the idea is they show improvement from their fourth quarter results as they perform the tests in the first quarter this year. 

The Fall Program, put on by Mrs. Simms, will have rehearsal practices starting on Wednesday October 12.  The practices will take place between 10:00 and 11:20 and because of this, it will affect PE class time for grades 4 and 5.  I will see Mrs. McMahon and Mrs. Eastman’s classes on Monday and Tuesday respectively and those are the only two classes I will see this week for grades 4 and 5.

We will be participating in this on Wednesday: "Let's Jump" is the motto behind National Geographic Kids' Guinness World Record attempt for the most people doing jumping jacks during a 24-hour period, and staff are asked to spread the word. NGK and first lady Michelle Obama will lead the event with hundreds of Washington-area children on the White House lawn at 3 p.m. Oct. 11, but anyone, anywhere can participate in breaking the current record of 20,000 people by completing one minute of jumping jacks between 3 p.m. EST Oct. 11 and 3 p.m. Oct. 12.

We are also participating in a program called Get Active Get Fit in kindergarten-eighth grade.  Students will be receiving a pedometer, courtesy of a grant through the Anthem Foundation.  Parents may need to help the students set up information on the pedometer (instructions are in each box).  Students will fill out an activity sheet that lists what activities and the length of the activities.  The program will run through November 26.  The goal is to have each student active for a minimum of 20 minutes daily.

Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade will continue working with the balance beam.  We have started going backwards over the balance beam with our eyes looking forward (our most challenging feat yet).

Preschool has started working on daily procedures in the gym.  We have also been working on simple games such as Simon Says.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

This Week's Agenda

October is Eye Injury Prevention Month, Home Eye Safety Month, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Stop America’s Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Today Month, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, Mental Illness Awareness Week (2-8), Drive Safely to Work Week (3-7), Child Health Day (3), Walk to School Day (5), World Mental Health Day (10), World Food Day (16), Red Ribbon Week (23-31), and National Drug Facts Week (October 31-November 6).

We have been working on a new stretching routine in our PE classes that involve dynamic stretching rather than static stretching.  Dynamic stretching involves movement and form rather than static stretching (standing and stretching, which is the way most of us learned how to stretch growing up).  Studies have shown that dynamic stretching helps to increase flexibility and to reduce injury over time, so we are getting more “bang for our buck” with dynamic stretching.  The new stretching technique is also multi-stepped, which should help learning development in the traditional classroom.

We are nearly finished with President’s testing (third grade through eighth grade)—a series of Physical Education tests that gauge muscular strength, muscular endurance, speed and quickness, and flexibility among others.  The tests include pull-ups, curl-ups, flex arm hang, shuttle run, pushups, sit and reach, mile run (half mile for third grade including Mrs. Elliot’s class), and I have added an additional test and that is the pole climb on the playground.  Returning students will be told their results of last year and the idea is they show improvement from their fourth quarter results as they perform the tests in the first quarter this year. 

Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade will continue working with the balance beam.  We have started going backwards over the balance beam with our eyes looking forward (our most challenging feat yet).

Preschool has started working on daily procedures in the gym.  We have also been working on simple games such as Simon Says.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

This Week's Agenda

We are well under way with President’s testing (third grade through eighth grade)—a series of Physical Education tests that gauge muscular strength, muscular endurance, speed and quickness, and flexibility among others.  The tests include pull-ups, curl-ups, flex arm hang, shuttle run, pushups, sit and reach, mile run (half mile for third grade including Mrs. Elliot’s class), and I have added an additional test and that is the pole climb on the playground.  Returning students will be told their results of last year and the idea is they show improvement from their fourth quarter results as they perform the tests in the first quarter this year.  We will be testing the next few weeks (usually one test a class period depending on class size).  The students have three stations set up in the gym during President’s testing—station 1 is testing with me, station 2 is jump rope, and station 3 is free time.  Students are expected to do their personal best at each station.

Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade will continue working with the balance beam.  We have been using the outside beam, on the playground.  We initially worked on going forward over the beam with our eyes looking forward and hands out to our sides for extra balance.  Our next step in the process has been going forward down and back over the balance beam and looking forward.  We will start going backwards over the balance beam with our eyes looking forward.

Preschool has started working on daily procedures in the gym.  We have also been working on simple games such as Simon Says.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

This Week's Agenda

September is Fruits and Veggies—More Matters Month, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, National Cholesterol Education Month, Whole Grains Month, National Celiac Disease Awareness Day (September 13), World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21), Family Health and Fitness Day (September 24), National Women’s Health and Fitness Day (September 28), and World Heart Day (September 30).

The “Growing To Greatness” shirts (grey shirts that can be purchased from PTO) may be worn in place of the Holy Spirit gym shirt on Fridays for middle school classes in A, B, C rotation, Ahonen homeroom, Glenn homeroom, Preschool (4 year olds), Elliot homeroom, and Ray homeroom.  The Holy Spirit gym shorts still need to be worn with the optional t-shirt.

We have been working on a new stretching routine in our PE classes that involve dynamic stretching rather than static stretching.  Dynamic stretching involves movement and form rather than static stretching (standing and stretching, which is the way most of us learned how to stretch growing up).  Studies have shown that dynamic stretching helps to increase flexibility and to reduce injury over time, so we are getting more “bang for our buck” with dynamic stretching.

We are well under way with President’s testing (third grade through eighth grade)—a series of Physical Education tests that gauge muscular strength, muscular endurance, speed and quickness, and flexibility among others.  The tests include pull-ups, curl-ups, flex arm hang, shuttle run, pushups, sit and reach, mile run (half mile for third grade including Mrs. Elliot’s class), and I have added an additional test and that is the pole climb on the playground.  Returning students will be told their results of last year and the idea is they show improvement from their fourth quarter results as they perform the tests in the first quarter this year.  We will be testing the next few weeks (usually one test a class period depending on class size).

Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade will continue working with the balance beam.  We have been using the outside beam, on the playground.  We have initially been working on just going forward over the beam with our eyes looking forward and hands out to our sides for extra balance.

Preschool has started working on daily procedures in the gym.  We have also been working on simple games such as Simon Says.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

This Week's Agenda

September is Fruits and Veggies—More Matters Month, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, National Cholesterol Education Month, Whole Grains Month, National Celiac Disease Awareness Day (September 13), World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21), Family Health and Fitness Day (September 24), National Women’s Health and Fitness Day (September 28), and World Heart Day (September 30).

There is an update on the blog that discusses the gym uniform (including sweatshirts and sweatpants)--the blog post previous to this one.

We have been working on a new stretching routine in our PE classes that involve dynamic stretching rather than static stretching.  Dynamic stretching involves movement and form rather than static stretching (standing and stretching, which is the way most of us learned how to stretch growing up).  Studies have shown that dynamic stretching helps to increase flexibility and to reduce injury over time, so we are getting more “bang for our buck” with dynamic stretching.

We are well under way with President’s testing (third grade through eighth grade)—a series of Physical Education tests that gauge muscular strength, muscular endurance, speed and quickness, and flexibility among others.  The tests include pull-ups, curl-ups, flex arm hang, shuttle run, pushups, sit and reach, mile run (half mile for third grade including Mrs. Elliot’s class), and I have added an additional test and that is the pole climb on the playground.  Returning students will be told their results of last year and the idea is they show improvement from their fourth quarter results as they perform the tests in the first quarter this year.  We will be testing the next few weeks (usually one test a class period depending on class size).

Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade will start working with the balance beam.  We would like to use the outside beam, on the playground, weather permitting.  We will initially work on just going forward over the beam with our eyes looking forward and hands out to our sides for extra balance.

Preschool started the initial stages of stretches this past week and we will add more this week.  We will continue to work on daily procedures as well.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with their gym uniform, have a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

PE Uniform Information Including Sweatpants/Sweatshirts

The Holy Spirit gym uniform consists of the Holy Spirit gym shirt, the Holy Spirit gym shorts (both of which are items that must be ordered through PTO), socks, and tennis shoes.  These are items that need to be worn each and every gym class (preschool-eighth grade) and they are worn all day.  If gym clothes have been ordered and have not come in yet (as of September 8, 2011), students need to wear an appropriate athletic pair of shorts and an appropriate athletic t-shirt for class.  All returning Holy Spirit students from last year should wear last year’s PE uniform if a new uniform has been ordered, but has yet to arrive.

Optional items include sweatpants and sweatshirts.  The sweatpants this year must be a solid color (they may have a colored line down the side) and they must be a dark color (navy, black, etc.) and can be ordered through PTO if the student would like sweatpants that say “Holy Spirit” on them.  It is NOT required for students to purchase sweatpants through PTO if students have sweatpants at home that fit the said criteria.  If sweatpants are worn, the PE uniform shorts still must be worn underneath to still be considered in proper PE uniform.  If sweatshirts are worn (fleece or traditional)—they MUST BE purchased through PTO, so the sweatshirt must be a Holy Spirit sweatshirt, which differs from the sweatpants.  Again, students must have their normal PE gym shirt underneath to be considered in their proper PE uniform.  Part of the PE grade in grades 3-8 (this includes the 2/3 split class—Mrs. Elliot’s homeroom) is directly tied into students bringing their gym clothes to class.  It is considered the students’ “book” for PE class.

They will be days in the fall that we will go outside for class, so please pay close attention to the weather.  It is extremely rare for us to go outside in the winter into early spring when the temperatures are close to or below freezing.

Just as an FYI, middle school has an A, B, C rotation in which 8^th grade has PE on “A” days, 6^th Grade on “B” days, and 7^th grade on “C” days.  Students received a calendar that is updated through the end of September and each middle school homeroom teacher has a calendar posted in homerooms.  We are in the process of finalizing the middle school calendar for the rest of the year—beyond September.  Kindergarten through fifth grade has PE twice a week, and preschool (4-year olds) has PE once a week.

If anyone has any questions concerning the gym uniform, please do not hesitate to let me know:

kbranigan@holyspirit-indy.org

Mr. Branigan

This Week's Agenda

September is Fruits and Veggies—More Matters Month, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, National Cholesterol Education Month, Whole Grains Month, National Celiac Disease Awareness Day (September 13), World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21), Family Health and Fitness Day (September 24), National Women’s Health and Fitness Day (September 28), and World Heart Day (September 30).

Just a quick note that returning Holy Spirit students should be wearing old PE uniforms to class even if new uniforms have been ordered and have not come in yet.  New students should be wearing an athletic pair of shorts and a t-shirt that is appropriate for school until the new PE uniforms arrive.  Also, there is not a great need for sweatpants and sweatshirts yet with the temperatures, so please have students either leave those materials at home or in lockers.  We will address sweatpants and sweatshirts in the next few weeks when it starts getting cooler outside.

We have been working on a new stretching routine in our PE classes that involve dynamic stretching rather than static stretching.  Dynamic stretching involves movement and form rather than static stretching (standing and stretching, which is the way most of us learned how to stretch growing up).  Studies have shown that dynamic stretching helps to increase flexibility and to reduce injury over time, so we are getting more “bang for our buck” with dynamic stretching.  In addition, some of our new stretches cross the body’s midline, which helps with learning in the traditional classroom.

We have started President’s testing in some classes and will start with all classes (third grade through eighth grade this week)—a series of Physical Education tests that gauge muscular strength, muscular endurance, speed and quickness, and flexibility among others.  The tests include pull-ups, curl-ups, flex arm hang, shuttle run, pushups, sit and reach, mile run (half mile for second and third grade), and I have added an additional test and that is the pole climb on the playground.  Returning students will be told their results of last year and the idea is they show improvement from their fourth quarter results as they perform the tests in the first quarter this year.

We have been working on daily procedures in PE classes and will continue to work on them in the next few weeks, especially with the younger grades.  We will also try to enjoy the nice weather as much as we can, while we still have it available to us.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

Have a great long weekend!

If you need to contact me, my email address is:

kbranigan@holyspirit-indy.org . 

Mr. Branigan

Welcome Back and This Week's PE Agenda

Welcome Back and Welcome to Our New Students!

August is National Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month and it is also National Immunization Awareness Month.

Monday August 29 is Picture Day at Holy Spirit.  If you have PE that day (6^th Grade, Mrs. McMahon homeroom, Mrs. Norman homeroom, Miss O’Neal homeroom, and Miss Hill homeroom), please bring PE clothes with you in addition to picture clothes.  We do not want to see the picture clothes get ruined and it will also allow us to fully participate in PE classes on Monday.

We have been working on a new stretching routine in our PE classes that involve dynamic stretching rather than static stretching.  Dynamic stretching involves movement and form rather than static stretching (standing and stretching, which is the way most of us learned how to stretch growing up).  Studies have shown that dynamic stretching helps to increase flexibility and to reduce injury over time, so we are getting more “bang for our buck” with dynamic stretching. 

We will be starting President’s testing soon—a series of Physical Education tests that gauge muscular strength, muscular endurance, speed and quickness, and flexibility among others.  The tests include pull-ups, curl-ups, flex arm hang, shuttle run, pushups, sit and reach, mile run (half mile for second and third grade), and I have added an additional test and that is the pole climb on the playground.  The testing will range from Mrs. Elliot’s class (2/3 split) through eighth grade.  Returning students will be told their results of last year and the idea is they show improvement from their fourth quarter results as they perform the tests in the first quarter this year.

We have been working on daily procedures in PE classes and will continue to work on them in the next few weeks.

As always, it is expected that each student is to come to class each day with a good attitude, ready to learn, and ready to work.

Have a great week!

If you need to contact me, my email address is:

kbranigan@holyspirit-indy.org

Mr. Branigan

This Week's Agenda

We will be wrapping up the year this week.

The sixth grade (General Music class) that meets on Mondays and Fridays will meet on Wednesday instead of Friday with Mass moved to Friday this week.

It’s been a great year!

Please encourage your children to be active over the summer!

This Week's Agenda

The sixth grade will continue working on President’s testing, journaling results, and comparing them to the first quarter results.

Grades 3-5 will be finishing up President’s testing and our focus is personal best.

Grade 2 (O’Neal) will play Wiffle Ball games to finish out our unit.  The focus is to gain experience along with teamwork and hand-eye coordination.

First grade will play a couple of fitness games.

Kindergarten has been working on the Monkey Bars on the playground and we will finish up this week.

Have a great week and thank you to all who made Teacher Appreciation Week possible!

This Week's Agenda

The eighth grade will finish their fourth quarter on Monday (General Music) or Tuesday (Band/Choir).  The sixth grade will start their fourth quarter Thursday (Band/Choir) and Friday (General Music).  Journals will be due on respective days for sixth grade and we will start President’s testing.

Due to the Annual Fund Dinner on Thursday, we will not be in the gym most of the week, so please make sure students are prepared to be outside for classes.

Grades 3 (Elliot homeroom included), grade 4, and grade 5 will all be working on President’s testing focusing on our personal best.

Grade 2 (O’Neal) will continue to work on a Wiffle Ball unit.  We will use the information that we worked on from our kickball unit, and tie that information in with previous playing experiences with baseball or softball to form our Wiffle Ball unit.  The focus is to gain experience along with teamwork and hand-eye coordination.

Kindergarten and first grade will work on fitness walking and jogging this week.  Our goal is to work on overall physical fitness and increasing our heart rates.

Preschool will not have class with our noon dismissal on Friday.

This Week's Agenda

The eighth grade will continue with President’s testing.  The focus is “doing our personal best” along with comparing our results from fourth quarter to first quarter’s results.

Grades 3 (Elliot homeroom included), grade 4, and grade 5 will all be working on President’s testing focusing on our personal best.

Grade 2 (O’Neal) will work on a Wiffle Ball unit.  We will use the information that we worked on from our kickball unit, and tie that information in with previous playing experiences with baseball or softball to form our Wiffle Ball unit.  The focus is to gain experience along with teamwork and hand-eye coordination.

Kindergarten and first grade will all have class only one time this week (Hill Monday only, Catton Tuesday only, and Ahonen Wednesday only).  Mrs. Simms will be using our regular gym time to practice with each of these grades for the Spring Program.  If the weather cooperates, we will be outside for our one class with each grade level. 

Preschool will play some games with the parachute again this week after a two-week layoff.

The eighth grade will continue with President’s testing.  The focus is “doing our personal best” along with comparing our results from fourth quarter to first quarter’s results.

Grades 4-5 (Eastman, McMahon, and Welty) will continue President’s testing this week.

Grade 3 (Elliot and Norman) will start President’s testing this week.

Kindergarten (Catton), first grade (Ahonen), and second grade (O’Neal) will all have class only one time this week.  Mrs. Simms will be using our regular gym time to practice with each of these grades for the Spring Program.  If the weather cooperates, we will be outside for our one class with each grade level.  Miss Hill (kindergarten) and preschool will not meet for PE this week.

This Week's Agenda

The eighth grade will start their fourth quarter on Monday (General Music students) or Tuesday (Band/Choir students).  Students will turn in their journals on those respective days as well.  We will start President’s testing and will compare results from first quarter with our results in the fourth quarter.  The General Music students (Monday and Friday) will not meet on Friday due to Stations of the Cross practice.

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) start President’s testing.  Our focus will be doing our personal best each day of testing.  We will only with meet with Mrs. McMahon’s group once this week (Thursday) because of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.

Mrs. Elliot and Mrs. Norman’s classes (2/3 split and third grade) will work on a couple of movement games and we will talk about President’s testing, which will begin next week.  We will only meet with each group once this week with our early dismissal on Good Friday.

Second grade (O’Neal) will revisit their kickball unit from first quarter.  We will talk about situational elements of the game and play.  This will be our final week of gym class until the second week of May because of practices for the Spring Program that will take place during our normal gym time.  Please encourage students to be active after school during the time we will not meet for class.

Kindergarten and first grade will continue to use the parachute.  The students learned some different activities this past week that they really enjoyed.  Just like the second grade, our gym schedules will be a little spotty over the next couple of weeks with Easter Monday and practices for the Spring Program, so please encourage students to be active after school on the days that we will not meet for class.

Preschool will not meet this week on Friday because of our early dismissal for Good Friday.

This Week's Agenda

The Spring Book Fair will be in the gym Tuesday-Friday (April 12-15).  If the weather is decent or nice, we will be outside for PE classes or in the classrooms if Mother Nature does not cooperate.  Please have students check the weather each day to see if they need to have sweatpants and sweatshirts over their normal gym uniforms.

The seventh grade will finish their fourth quarter this week.  We will conclude President’s testing and give folders back to students.

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) will play movement games and play some relay races.  We will discuss nutrition, if we happen to be inside for class.

Preschool, first grade, second grade, and third grade will play movement games and use the parachute if the weather cooperates.

This Week's Agenda

The seventh grade will continue President’s testing this week. We will focus on doing our personal best and comparing our results fourth quarter with what we did first quarter.

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) will play a movement game and play some relay races.

Second and third grades will continue to work on a fitness circuit focusing on both speed and endurance.

Kindergarten and first grade will work on a couple of movement games that involve balance and coordination. Preschool will continue to work on dribbling a basketball along with a movement game.

Information concerning the NCAA Women’s Final Four that Conseco Fieldhouse is hosting April 3 and 5 is found on the website below:

http://www.ncaa.com/championships/basketball-women/d1

This Week's Agenda

The seventh grade will continue President’s testing this week.  We will focus on doing our personal best and comparing our results fourth quarter with what we did first quarter.

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) will play a movement game and play some relay races.

Second and third grades will continue to work on a fitness circuit focusing on both speed and endurance.

Kindergarten and first grade will work on a couple of movement games that involve balance and coordination.

Information concerning the NCAA Women’s Final Four that Conseco Fieldhouse is hosting April 3 and 5 is found on the website below:

http://www.ncaa.com/championships/basketball-women/d1

Have a Great and Safe Spring Break! 

This Week's Agenda

The seventh grade will start their fourth quarter this week in PE.  Journals will be due Monday or Tuesday, respectively, and we will start President's testing as well.

Fourth and fifth grades will play a movement game and will also play kickball.  The goal would be to go outside for some of class this week, if the weather cooperates.

Second and third grades will work on a fitness circuit and hopefully get to spend some time outside.

Kindergarten and first grade will play a couple of movement games.

Preschool will continue to work on dribbling a basketball and play a movement game.

For those who may not know, the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final 4 will be at Conseco Fieldhouse April 3 (semi-final games) and April 5 (championship game).  The website below has information concerning the Final 4 and events leading up to it:

http://www.ncaa.com/championships/basketball-women/d1

This Week's Agenda

The sixth grade will finish dual units on volleyball and basketball.  We will play volleyball games focusing on each team getting a bump, set, and spike along with playing basketball games where the focus will be on setting a down screen and making a curl cut, pop cut or flare cut off of the screen.

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) will continue to work on a fitness circuit which incorporates speed, quickness, agility, and strength.  The students have been working hard on the circuits the last couple of weeks in class. 

Third grade (Norman) will work on and play a couple of movement games that involve balance, speed, coordination, and teamwork.

The following classes will continue basketball units, focusing on two ball dribbling (O’Neal and Ahonen)—one ball dribbling for kindergarten and learning about over the head passing (all groups):

2-O’Neal

1-Ahonen

K-Hill

K-Catton

Pre-school will work on dribbling a basketball and work on a movement game.

This Week's Agenda

The sixth grade will continue dual units on volleyball and basketball.  We will work on bumping, setting, serving, and spiking with volleyball and dribbling, passing, and shooting fundamentals with basketball. 

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) will continue to work on a fitness circuit which incorporates speed, quickness, agility, and strength.  The students have been working hard on the circuits the last couple of weeks in class.  We will also have some free time, so the students can release some stress during ISTEP week.

Third grade (Norman) will work on and play a couple of movement games that involve balance, speed, coordination, and teamwork.

The following classes will continue basketball units, focusing on two ball dribbling (O’Neal and Ahonen)—one ball dribbling for kindergarten and learning about over the head passing (all groups):

2-O’Neal

1-Ahonen

K-Hill

K-Catton

Pre-school will work on dribbling a basketball and work on a movement game.

This Week's Agenda

Parents,

The sixth grade will start their third quarter on Monday or Tuesday, respectively, and will do dual units on volleyball and basketball.  Journals will also be due the first day of class.  We will work on bumping, setting, and serving with volleyball and dribbling, passing, and starting to work on shooting fundamentals with basketball. 

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) will continue to work on a fitness circuit which incorporates speed, quickness, agility, and strength.  The students have been working hard on the circuits the last couple of weeks in class.  We will also play a movement game.

Third grade (Norman) will work on and play a couple of movement games that involve balance, speed, and coordination.

The following classes will continue basketball units, focusing on dribbling (hand-eye coordination) with both strong hand and weak hand along with passing (chest passes and over the head passes):

2-O’Neal—two ball dribbling, chest passing, scooters

1-Ahonen—two ball dribbling, chest passing, scooters

K-Hill—chest passing and scooters

K-Catton—chest passing and scooters

Pre-school will work on dribbling a basketball and work on a movement game.

This Week's Agenda

The eighth grade will finish dual units on volleyball and basketball in their final week of PE in the third quarter.  We will be basketball games and volleyball games this week, working on the fundamentals we have been practicing in class.  The take home basketball test is due Monday for General Music and Tuesday for Band/Choir students.  Sixth and seventh grades should be working on their physical activities and journaling at home (30 minutes daily for five days of a seven day week with one parent signature per week).  The entire middle school will come in to the gym from 9:25-10:00 on Friday February 18 and Mr. Steve Roseman will present a drug program to the students.  The other date Mr. Roseman he will be here: Friday March 4.  Mr. Roseman will also speak to the PTO about drugs to parents.

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) will work on a fitness circuit which incorporates speed, quickness, agility, and strength.  We will also play a movement game as well

Third grade (Norman) will play a couple of movement games

The following classes will continue basketball units, focusing on dribbling (hand-eye coordination) with both strong hand and weak hand along with passing (chest pass):

2-O’Neal

1-Ahonen

K-Hill

K-Catton

Pre-school will start the initial stages of dribbling a basketball and work on a dancing game.

This Week's Agenda

The eighth grade will continue dual units on volleyball and basketball.  We will be working on serving and footwork to spike within our volleyball unit and shooting form including work on lay-up and jump shots during our basketball unit.  Eighth grade will also have a take home basketball test that will need to be completed and turned in either Monday February 14 (General Music) or Tuesday February 15 (Band/Choir).  Sixth and seventh grades should be working on their physical activities and journaling at home (30 minutes daily for five days of a seven day week with one parent signature per week).  The entire middle school will come in to the gym from 9:25-10:00 on Friday February 11 and Mr. Steve Roseman will present a drug program to the students.  The other dates Mr. Roseman he will be here: Friday February 18 and Friday March 4.  Mr. Roseman will also speak to the PTO about drugs to parents.

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) will work on a fitness circuit which incorporates speed, quickness, agility, and strength.  We will also play a dancing game as well.

Third grade (Norman) will play a dancing game and some other movement games that involve teamwork and overall physical fitness.

The following classes will continue basketball units, focusing on dribbling (hand-eye coordination) with both strong hand and weak hand along with passing (chest pass):

2/3-Elliot—class on Friday will be with 3-Norman because of the student-staff volleyball match Friday afternoon

2-O’Neal

1-Ahonen

K-Hill

K-Catton

Pre-school will start the initial stages of dribbling a basketball and work on a dancing game.

This Week's Agenda

The eighth grade will continue dual units on volleyball and basketball.  We will be working on serving and footwork to spike within our volleyball unit and shooting form including work on lay-up and jump shots during our basketball unit.  We are discontinuing our Tuesday morning workouts (open gyms) with middle school due to a lack of attendance.  We may pick the workouts back up in the spring if students are interested.  Sixth and seventh grades should be working on their physical activities and journaling at home (30 minutes daily for five days of a seven day week with one parent signature per week).

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) will work on a fitness circuit which incorporates speed, quickness, agility, and strength.  We will also play a dancing game as well.

Third grade (Norman) will play a dancing game and some other movement games that involve teamwork and overall physical fitness.

The following classes will continue basketball units, focusing on dribbling (hand-eye coordination) with both strong hand and weak hand along with passing (chest pass):

2/3-Elliot—class on Friday will be with 3-Norman because of the student-staff volleyball match Friday afternoon

2-O’Neal

1-Ahonen

K-Hill

K-Catton

Pre-school will start the initial stages of dribbling a basketball and work on a dancing game.

This Week's PE Agenda

The seventh grade (7-Band/Choir and 6/7-General Music) will complete their third quarter on Monday or Tuesday, respectively this week by playing both volleyball and basketball games.  Students will receive dates for journaling from third quarter to fourth quarter as well.  The eighth grade’s third quarter will start on Thursday (Band/Choir) and Friday (General Music).  We are opening up the gym between 7:00 and 7:30 on Tuesdays and offer different activities to the middle school kids (grades 6-8).  We will have our eleventh session on Tuesday (January 25) from 7:00-7:30 am in the gym.  We need more student support to continue to hold the open gyms in the mornings.  We have been averaging two students or less each week that we have done this.  It is a great way for middle school students to get 30 minutes of daily exercise and it will also count on their journaling.

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) will continue work on team building activities and exercises.  The focus will be on cooperating with each other and building leadership skills in addition to follower skills.  We will also play a dancing game as well.

Third grade (Norman) will play a dancing game and some other movement games that involve teamwork and overall physical fitness.

The following classes will continue basketball units, focusing on dribbling (hand-eye coordination) with both strong hand and weak hand along with passing (bounce passing and chest passing):

2/3-Elliot

2-O’Neal

1-Ahonen

K-Hill

K-Catton

Pre-school will continue to work on throwing and catching beanbags underhand and playing a dancing game.

Middle School Take Home Test for PE

Students do have a take home basketball test that is due on Thursday January 20th for Band/Choir Seventh Grade and Friday January 21st for General Music (6/7 split).
Students may use the internet, classmates, books, parents, etc. as resources.

This Week's PE Agenda

The seventh grade (7-Band/Choir and 6/7-General Music) will continue units on basketball and volleyball.  We will spend time this week on free throws and information on fouls during the basketball portion.  During the volleyball portion of class, we will work on bumping the ball to the setter and the setter making a good set to the hitters (middle front and left front players).  The Band/Choir students will also start to play volleyball and basketball games—we will hold off on General Music until next week with us missing class on Monday for Martin Luther King Day.  We are opening up the gym between 7:00 and 7:30 on Tuesdays and offer different activities to the middle school kids (grades 6-8).  We will have our tenth session on Tuesday (January 18) from 7:00-7:30 am in the gym (we cancelled this past Tuesday due to the snow).

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) will continue work on team building activities and exercises.  The focus will be on cooperating with each other and building leadership skills in addition to follower skills.

Third grade (Norman) will play a dancing game and some other movement games that involve teamwork.

The following classes will continue basketball units, focusing on dribbling (hand-eye coordination) with both strong hand and weak hand along with passing (bounce passing):

2/3-Elliot

2-O’Neal

1-Ahonen

K-Hill

K-Catton

Pre-school will continue to work on throwing and catching beanbags underhand and playing a new tag game.

Early Morning PE Activities for Middle School Cancelled

Tuesday morning PE activities for middle school students will be cancelled for Tuesday morning in anticipation of the weather.

Thank you

Agenda for January 10-14

The seventh grade (7-Band/Choir and 6/7-General Music) will continue units on basketball and volleyball.  We will work on how to shoot a basketball the proper way and how to serve the ball during volleyball and start to talk about spiking.  We are opening up the gym between 7:00 and 7:30 on Tuesdays and offer different activities to the middle school kids (grades 6-8) with the help of Mr. Roseman and myself.  The students will have some options on choices of activities.  Mr. Roseman will also bring different guests in from time to time such as a rumba instructor.  We will have our tenth session on Tuesday (January 11) from 7:00-7:30 am in the gym.

Grades 4 and 5 (Eastman, McMahon, Welty) will continue work on team building activities and exercises.  The focus will be on cooperating with each other and building leadership skills in addition to follower skills.

Third grade (Norman) will continue to work with the scooters focusing on full body exercising.  We will also play a dancing game and some other movement games.

The following classes will continue basketball units, focusing on dribbling (hand-eye coordination) with both strong hand and weak hand:

2/3-Elliot—will learn how to play Dribble Tag and will also start to work on passing

2-O’Neal—will continue to work on dribbling and play a movement game

1-Ahonen—will continue to work on dribbling and play a movement game

K-Hill—will continue to work on dribbling and play a movement game

K-Catton—will continue to work on dribbling and play a movement game

Pre-school will continue to work on throwing and catching beanbags underhand and learning a new tag game.

Go Colts!