The Sweat Gazette
Little Bennett's P.E. Newsletter
Dear Parents,
Understanding the difference between physical education and physical activity is critically important to understanding why both contribute to the development of healthy, active children. Physical education, the foundation of a comprehensive school physical activity program, offers the best opportunity to provide physical activity to all children and to teach them the skills and knowledge needed to establish and sustain an active lifestyle. Physical education teachers assess student knowledge, motor and social skills, and provide instruction in a safe, supportive environment.
Physical activity is bodily movement of any type and may include recreational, fitness and sport activities such as jumping rope, playing soccer, lifting weights, as well as daily activities such as walking to the store, taking the stairs or raking the leaves. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) recommends school-age children accumulate at least 60 minutes and up to several hours of physical activity per day and avoid prolonged periods of inactivity.
By participating in physical education class and doing physical activity, your children will reduce their risk for being overweight, assist in improved academic performance and helps them feel better about themselves.
-Dave Horn, Physical Education Teacher
What's Going On!
The 2012-13 School Year is off and running!
Upper Grades News
The upper grades have been honing their basketball skills. The students have been experiencing a wide variety of skill development challenges and lead-up games. The focus skill for 5th grade has been the set shot during a simulated game situation. The students were challenged to move to an open space, call for a pass, receive the pass, square up to the basket and shoot a set shot utilizing correct form. The focus for the 4th graders was passing. They were challenged to dribble, stop, pivot and then perform a pass to a partner who has moved to open space using correct passing form. The 3rd graders were working diligently on their dribbling skills. Their focus was on dribbling a ball using both right and left hands, changing directions quickly and protecting the ball from a defender. One of the favorites has been "Fraction Shoot-out". Fraction Shoot-out involves teams of 3 shooting for a designated amount of time. When the time is up the team announces their score in the form of a fraction, if the fraction is reducible they must reduce it. The largest fraction wins. For instance, if a team were to make 12 out of 36 shots they would announce their score as twelve thirty sixths or one third.
Lower Grades News
The lower grades have been experiencing a wide variety of activities designed to enhance their spatial awareness, body control and movement skills (a theme that is reinforced throughout the year). Emphasis has been placed on following sequential directions, and principles of safety. The students have been challenged to move in a variety of patterns, speeds, directions, and pathways. They too have been working on their basketball skills, primarily ball control and dribbling. One of the favorites is "High Five" dribble. The activity involves students dribbling a basketball and simultaneously high fiving as many other students as possible, without losing control of their ball. The focus of this activity is to enhance the student's ability to dribble a ball while keeping their eyes up.
The Pacer Test of Cardiovascular Endurance - Grades 3,4,5
During P. E. your child will participate in the Pacer Test. The Pacer Test is designed to test your child’s level of aerobic fitness. To complete the test your child will run a series of laps across the gym in a designated amount of time. The test begins at a slow speed and then systematically increases as the test progresses. Eventually your child stops when he/she tires. The number of laps completed is his/her score and this score reflects his/her aerobic fitness level. Your child’s goal is to move up to the next level on the Pacer Test. If your child is already at the “Super Fit” level, his/her goal is to beat his/her score.
Click here to see a video demonstration of the Pacer Test.
Click below for a photo show of Little Bennett Physical Education.
Physical Education Electronic Alphabet Book
Take a moment to read the new Physical Education Electronic Alphabet Book. It's a lot of fun! There is a short fun quiz at the end, see how many questions you answer correctly!
P.E. E-Alphabet Book (PDF)
Components of Fitness
Grades 3, 4, and 5 are learning about the components of fitness (aerobic endurance, flexibility, muscular endurance, and muscular strength). Click below to read more about what each component is and examples of what to do!
Definitions & Examples