K-1 Planetary Parachute Fun!

October Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Physical Education (PE) is an integral part of UES.  In PE, we work on developing the whole child (physical, cognitive, social and affective qualities).  We have just completed a unit on cooperative learning where a variety of motor skills and learning expectations were presented to help facilitate student development.  We also stressed development of positive social skills within the classroom environment, which could be translated into other areas of life.

  

Throughout the past five weeks the students were encouraged to work with their peers, learn how to communicate effectively, and work to include everyone in their class.  One of the most enjoyed activities of the unit was “Crossing the Raging River,” which had students work in small groups to try to cross a “river” using only a limited number of hula hoops.  The students had to come up with a strategy and communicate with one another to successfully cross the river as a group while traveling on the hula hoops. They found success after much trial and error, and it was clear students thoroughly enjoyed this challenge!

This week each student did a self-assessment on the four learning objectives that we set for students in the cooperative skills unit. The objectives are: listening and following directions; working very well with everyone; using equipment properly and safely; and showing respect to everyone.  This was based on a scale of 1-4 (1- None of the Time, 2 - Some of the Time, 3 - Most of the Time and 4 - All the Time). Please initiate a conversation with your child to see how well sh/e assessed him/herself.

Beginning in the month of October, we will start a soccer unit for grades 2 through 4, and grades K through 1 will begin a parachute unit. Soccer is the world’s most popular sport and is played in nearly every country by young and old alike. The soccer unit will provide activities for students to practice and develop fundamental skills such as ball handling, dribbling, passing, receiving, and shooting, all of which are required for successful game play. Aligned with the new national standards, these activities are designed to include and challenge all students’ physical, cognitive, social and affective skills. Classes will be held at Harrison Field! Kindergarten and grade one will be introduced to parachute activities and games. Parachute is one of the most widely known and loved activities for this age group. We will be teaching the students a wide variety of activities focused around social skills. Your child will have the opportunity to use his or her creative mind through a variety of movements.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns, or visit our blog: http://www.uesfitnessforlife.blogspot.com

Best,

Emmanuel Riby-Williams and Marie "MJ" Jennings, Physical Educators, Union Elementary School