Report Cards are here!

In Physical Education we try to observe all of the children to assess how each child is performing a variety of skills, assess their cooperating and interacting skills with others and determine if they have a positive attitude and are making a good effort in all classes.

This is never an easy task when assessing so many children in an environment in which learning is often based on their previous experiences, to some degree. In other words, children play sports outside of school and have established many habits based on their experiences. What the child brings to the P.E. class is a reflection of those experiences. As physical education teachers we try to help each child develop and expand their interest and potential in activities and learn respectful ways of playing with others in a competitive atmosphere. Sportsmanship is a difficult concept to teach because it requires a child to make a quick decision while in a competitive situation often involving some form of emotion, aggressive play and possibly some body contact. Also, no two situations are the same and so previously learned behaviors might not be transferred to new situations because the experience might be different. Then when you add in the factor of peer influence, self image and esteem, and the expectation that every child likes to be seen as "a star", and when that doesn't happen, children sometimes have a behavioral reaction because their skill "self image" did not live up to what they want their friends to see and believe about them.

So, as parents sit down and go over their P.E grade, please talk about these issues and what they can do to improve. Its not so much about the actual grade but more about your talking with your child about their feelings and expectations. P.E. staff are always available to discuss these issues and explore various ideas as to approaches to develop your child as an athlete, who is competitive, yet displays good sportsmanship and who enjoys having their parents at the game because its fun.

Also, check out some of the links relating to sport psychology and when at the site look for associated videos and links which might offer some help as well.

Physical Education Chatter!

Dinner table talk is important to allow children an opportunity to talk about themselves and their days experiences and for parents to find out just how their child's day went....good and bad!

So, here are some topics to help your child to chat about their day in P.E.

This past week we climbed the cargo net (safety, safety, safety), swing on the rope (fun, fun, fun)and played games. The class games in grades 2 & 3, were: scooter hockey & toxic ball and for grades K & 1 we used the hula hoops, ball shooting, and played Eagles and Vulture tag as well as GO CELTICS tag, using math questions or rock, paper, scissor to get back into the game!

Ask your child which game they participated in and about the games. Ask how they did during the activity, was the activity hard for them? Did they see good sportsmanship (any arguing, unfair play etc)? Ask how they think they did in the game or were they afraid of climbing the cargo net? Did they get to be on their friends team? Did they learn a new skill or did they get to practice an old skill! Did they have fun?

This week we start bowling!!! In this unit, the children will learn to keep score using their math skills and will learn proper bowling technique which will start their foundation for a life long skill!

Talking about your child's day helps them to feel valued and make them feel important!!!

A Life Style Plan for living!

The Physical Education Program is promoting the Jump Up & Go program for the Ezra Baker School! This exciting program offers a balanced approach for helping children to learn about healthy eating habits, being active for some part of the day and helpful suggestions for limiting TV/computer time. The basic concept of 5-2-1 provides for families a simple guide for approaching how the family can best use their time to promote a healthy life style!

Physical Education-Elementary Style!

Elementary physical education requires a creative and fun way to teach children about a healthy life style. Sportsmanship continues to be an important element in helping children to interact with their peers in a respectful manner. Playing by the rules involves many aspects of human interaction which must be taught and supported by the physical education instructor.
Helping children to learn to be active and understanding their bodies reaction to exercise and movement is a crutial aspect for children to learn about their developing bodies!
Games which promote academic skills, skill development and movement exploration can be introduced in a fun and creative manner which complement academic requirements.
Helping children to learn how to positively interact with peers when in a competative atmosphere is a unique and important aspect of teaching for the physical edcuation professional.