Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Winter Break 60


Winter Break 60 scorecard

Students know to keep our bodies healthy and fit we need to be physically active at least 60 minutes a day.  Easier said than done in the summer, than the winter.  So here is a challenge.

Use the Winter Break 60 scorecard and color in each day of Winter Break that you are physically active for 60 minutes or more.  FAMILIES CAN DO IT TOGETHER.  You can print extra copies below for each member of the family.  Students can return their Winter Break 60 Scorecard - signed by a parent - for a chance to win a prize from me!  They are due January 9.

Of course, make sure you are active on most days - it doesn't need to be all.

Physical activity ideas for the whole family!

10 great ideas for staying active in Beaverton!

Enjoy your family time!





Friday, December 13, 2013

2014 Sexton Mt. Hoop Shoot Winners

Congrats to the winners of this year's Sexton Mt. Hoop Shoot Contest!  These students made the most free throw shots out of 20 in their age group.
They will participate in the Local Elks Club Hoop Shoot Contest on the morning of Saturday, January 18 at Greenway Elementary School in Beaverton.  Anyone can come watch and support them!

10-11 year-old GIRLS winner - Alexa B.
10-11 year-old BOYS winner - Spencer B.
8-9 year-old GIRLS winner - Natalie N.
8-9 year-old BOYS winner - Tyler C.

I am proud of all the Hoop Shoot competitors who participated this year.  Way to take a chance!




Tuesday, December 10, 2013

P.E. Grades FAQs


Report Cards went home today!  Check out the P.E. grades!  I am very proud of many hard workers at Sexton Mountain. 

As you will see, Report Cards are different this year.  Reason being, WE can better understand the current skills levels of our students.  In other words, are students meeting their learning targets.  At least that is the hope.

P.E. teachers, like all teachers, are trying their best to adjust to this proficiency grading model.  We are all trying build this plane even though it has already taken off.

In fact, currently there is a content articulation team of P.E. teachers working on updating the P.E. learning targets and creating a rubric on how to grade using the proficiency model.  The goal is to complete this task by Spring to use beginning next year.  Meanwhile, P.E. grading may seem different at different schools.  For example, what I see as a 3 may not be what the P.E. teacher at another school sees as a 3. 

I have posted questions that you might have and answered them as best as I can.  If you have any other questions please let me know.  I will update the Q&A below if needed.

Q:  What do the scores 1, 2, 3 or 4 mean compared to the old D, M, E?

A:  We have been told for the first trimester, in content areas like without rubrics (like PE), we should consider.
            1 as a D at first trimester
            2 as an M at first trimester
            3 as an E at first trimester
            4 for exceeding end of year benchmark

Q:  What do the progress indicators (+,=,-) mean?

A:  For the trimester...
            - minimal or no progress in skill development
            = steady progress in skill development
            + significant progress in skill development

Q:  What was my student assessed on this trimester?

A:  Specific learning targets can be found on the blog posts titled “month PE Plans”.
Grades 3-5
This trimester, students worked on and were assessed on learning targets for these skills and concepts – foot dribbling, kicking, volleying, sports skills, muscle names, types of exercise, body changes during exercise, teamwork, sportsmanship, and self-management.

Grades 1-2
This trimester, students worked on and were assessed on learning targets for these skills and concepts – foot dribbling, kicking, underhand toss, loco-motor skills (skip, gallop), types of exercises, body changes during exercise, being ready for PE, working hard, and self-management.

Q:  In the Beaverton School District, are there official P.E. Learning Targets for Physical Skills, Fitness Concepts, and Social Skills?

A:  Currently, there are only long-term targets for 3rd grade and 5th grade.  Most P.E. teachers create learning targets based off those and adjust for each grade level.
The P.E. Content Area Articulation Team is currently working on long-term targets and supporting “kid-friendly” targets for grades K-5 with the hopes it will be done by the Spring 2014.

Q:  Last year, students in grades 3-5 each had a separate “P.E. Report Card” that showed specific skills assessments.  Students saw these score several times a year and they went home in June.  Will students have these “P.E. Report Cards" this year?

A:  I have always viewed these specific P.E. Report Cards as more helpful for the student to know where I thought they were on each skill or learning target we covered.  So it is my plan to continue using P.E. Report Cards this year.
However, with the report card changes this year, they are in DRAFT form and I haven't shown them to students.  My hope is they will first see them by the end of 2nd trimester, hopefully sooner.



Tuesday, December 3, 2013

November & December P.E. Plans

Time of the year when we remind ourselves to be thankful of who and what we have in our lives.  Several things I am thankful for include:
  • Seeing the excitement of a child when they accomplish something they had thought impossible...every day.
  • See the world through a child's eyes and learning from their perspectives.
  • Being a part of a great community and great staff.
  • My family and I are healthy and safe.
Enjoy this time of the year with your families!


November & December P.E. Plans

VOLLEY (Grades 3-5)
Learning Targets (Goals) for Skill introduction/development/improvement
Volley (bump hit in volleyball) using the v-grip, straight elbows, bent knees, and contact with forearms.
Bump, not strike, the ball with forearms when volleying.
Use volleying in a game.
Use volleying, setting, and serving in a game.

Activities include several volleyball drills, Team Volleyball 2-Square, Box Volleyball drill, Volleyball game, King's Court, and peer video assessment using Coach's Eye app on iPads.


UNDERHAND TOSS and ROLL/BOWL (Grades 1-2)
Learning Targets (Goals) for Skill introduction/development/improvement
Step forward & arm back, then toss upward when underhand tossing.
Step forward & arm back, bend knees, then roll ball on ground when rolling/bowling.
Activities include several partner drills, Wishing Well, Rainforest, Turkey Bean Bag Tag, Rockin' Rollers, and Take-A-Chance.

FITNESS CONCEPTS (Grades 1-5) - Changes that happen to your body during and after exercise.  Exercises and which areas of the body to they help.  Names of large muscle groups.
Learning Targets (Goals) for Skill introduction/development/improvement
Identify 5 changes that happen to your body while you are exercising and how can you tell.
Identify benefits of those changes.
Identify major muscle groups.

Activities include daily All-Star Warm-ups & Core Exercises, Line Tag, Medic, Snowball, and more.


MANIPULATIVE SKILLS - Jump Ropes, Hula Hoops, Spin Jammers
Learning Targets (Goals) for Skill introduction/development/improvement
I can spin the rope big and wide.
I can jump when "I see the rope" in front of my eyes.
I can "keep moving" when I hula around different body parts.
I can spin a disc on my finger nail(s).

Other games and skills include Climbing Rope, Wall Ball, Tetherball, Stilt Walking, and Skip-Its.

*Other games, activities, and goals may be mixed in based on time, development levels, or adjustments.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

P.E. Shorts (news)


The Hoop Shoot Contest begins on Thursday.  The next visit to P.E. for each 2nd-5th grade class, students who registered for the Hoop Shoot Contest will compete.  New participations can still register until December 6 or until their P.E. class during the week of December 10.

The Winter Break 60 will happen again this year.  It's designed to encourage students and families to stay physically active during Winter Break.  Look for more info soon!

My project on Donorschoose.org was funded last week!  Our P.E. program will receive 2 iPad minis to use in P.E. classes for the purposes of skill development, video peer assessment, video self-assessment, small group fitness activities, and more!

Report Cards will be going home soon!  Look for those P.E. grades.  More info on P.E. grades to come soon!

Go Timbers!


Thursday, November 14, 2013

Hoop Shoot Contest

The annual Hoop Shoot Contest is starting soon.  I will begin telling 2nd-5th grade students during their next visit to P.E. starting tomorrow.  It is a free throw shooting contest arranged in two divisions each for boys and girls (age determined by their age as of April 1, 2014):
  • Boys aged 8-9
  • Girls aged 8-9
  • Boys aged 10-11
  • Girls aged 10-11
This year we will hold the Sexton Mountain School Contest during some P.E. classes and/or lunch recesses starting Friday, November 21 and ending by Thursday, December 13.  The winners will have made the most shots out of 20 in their age group.  Each contestant gets only one opportunity shooting 20 shots.  Winners move on to participate in Hoop Shoot Contest against students from other schools!

This voluntary contest is only for students who register using the downloadable sign-up form shown below (it will also be given to any interested students in P.E.).

For more info, please read the sign-up form.  Email me if you have any questions.
You can also visit the Elks Hoop Shoot official website at http://www.elks.org/hoopshoot/





Tuesday, November 12, 2013

iPads in P.E.

iPads in P.E. classes?  I have always had reservations about bringing screens into a place where we want kids to move as much as possible.  But having an open-mind is important, right?

After talking with other P.E. teachers and doing some research, I believe this unlikely pairing could work.  Access to digital devices is easier than ever.  So let's put them to use to help us move more!

I want to make sure my students have the materials they need to succeed. So I've created a classroom project request at DonorsChoose.org, an award-winning charity.

I'm asking for donations of any size to help my kids. Until November 16, any donation made to my project will be doubled by Anonymous Donor (up to $100).  To have your donation matched dollar for dollar, enter the promo code CHEER on the payment screen.

If you know anyone who is passionate about education, please pass this along.  Donations will still be accepted after November 16.

Here's my classroom request:
http://www.donorschoose.org/project/ipads-in-pe-for-healthy-lifestyles/1127408/?verify=343104533#materialsList

Here is a video showing how iPads can be used in P.E. classes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrEo_UUTz5E

Let's have Sexton Mountain be a trail blazer and be one of the first Beaverton schools to use iPads effectively in P.E. classes!  If you have any questions, please let me know!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Quotes for Life & Sports & Anyone

Just had a conversation with Mr. Hayhurst today about how sports and activities can play such a big role in how we all can grow as people.  I have learned so many lessons and positive habits through my experiences being physically active.

Here are some quotes to read and share!

"I would take being a better person over a better player any day."
Darlington Nagbe, Portland Timbers

"Treat people the way you want to be treated, no matter who the person is.  Treat them with respect."
Hroniss Grasu, student and football player, Oregon Ducks

"Always work hard, Never give up.  Strive for nothing less than your best."
Alex Morgan, soccer player, Portland Thorns

"Coach challenges you, but he gets the best out of you."
about Pat Casey, Oregon State Beavers Baseball Head Coach

"The greatest thing about Michael Jordan was that he was never afraid to fail."
LeBron James, basketball player, Miam Heat & Team USA

"Everyone's dream can come true if you just stick to it and work hard."
- Serena Williams, world's #1 tennis player

"I know I still have room for improvement.  So I just try do do better."
LeBron James, basketball player, Miam Heat & Team USA

"A belief that you can do something great means you will do something great."
Russell Wilson, football player, Seattle Seahawks



Monday, October 28, 2013

More "Outside" Photos

Sunshine.  Smiles.  Physical Activity.  Working on skills.  Good times.





Thursday, October 24, 2013

"Outside" P.E. in October!

Usually from early October to mid May, P.E. classes in Oregon are in the gym.  So I love to teach P.E. classes outside as much as possible the rest of the year.
This week...I couldn't resist.  First time in 14 years I have taught P.E. outside during the 4th week of October.
The students have been great sports.  Younger kids have been working on foot skills and locomotor skills while moving around pumpkins and keeping their treasure from pirates.  Older students have been using their improving foot skills in group games.
Take a look...








Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Hroniss Grasu article

"It's what he (grandpa) and my dad taught me - to treat people the way you want to be treated, no matter who the person is.  Treat them with respect.  Don't put people down.  Always think about what you are doing..."  -Hroniss Grasu



Graus (#55) plays center for the Oregon Ducks football team.  Many teammates call him the most important player on the team - the glue guy.  The Oregonian ran a fascinating article about him last week.


http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2013/10/oregons_hroniss_grasu_draws_on.html

Beavers fan, Ducks fan, no fan...doesn't matter.  Great article to read as a family and discuss.  Also, if you haven't read the Darlington Nagbe article from an earlier post, it is another worthwhile article to read as a family.

(I am a platypus.  I root for both the Ducks and Beavers.  I grew up in Washington and was raised a Cougars fan.  I graduated from Gonzaga University so I am a Bulldog at heart.)

Thursday, October 10, 2013

October P.E. Plans

Remember when you learned how to jump rope or hula hoop?

I do.  Second grade...after two years of trying.  Let's be honest, right now hundreds of students here can hula better than me.

Remember the feeling when you finally could do the skill?

Recently, the first graders were taught the "tricks" to being able to jump rope and hula hoop.  They also had the opportunity to practice and show their stuff!  For most first graders at this point in the school year, it is tough (yours truly couldn't do it until second grade).  Many are excited and nervous.  Some get easily frustrated.

The lesson here is to keep trying.  If you quit, you will never do it.  If you keep trying, you WILL be able to do it.  And boy, when you finally do it........!!!

One of the many joys of being a P.E. teacher is seeing the pure joy and excitement a child has when they finally achieve something they previously thought to be incredibly hard or impossible.  Priceless!!!

Wow, and the wonders it does to confidence and how a child handles the next difficult task they encounter!  (more pics at end of the post)


October P.E. Plans


FOOT DRIBBLING AND KICKING
Learning Targets (Goals) for Skill introduction/development/improvement
Foot Dribble under control and keep the ball close.
Use ALL parts of your feet when foot dribbling...and both feet!
Use your body to shield the ball.
Use the sides (mostly inside) of your foot when you kick.
Lock your ankle when you kick.
Plant your non-kicking foot when you kick.
Use foot dribbling and kicking in a game.

Activities include Pinball Soccer, Soccer Ball Tag, Numbers Soccer, Crazy Ball Soccer, and Kickball.


LOCO-MOTOR SKILLS
Learning Targets (Goals) for Skill introduction/development/improvement
Step & Jump while alternating foot while you skip.
One foot in front, one in back while you gallop.

Activities include Pumpkin Patch and more.


FITNESS CONCEPTS - Changes that happen to your body during and after exercise.  Exercises and which areas of the body to they help.  Names of large muscle groups.
Learning Targets (Goals) for Skill introduction/development/improvement
Identify 5 changes that happen to your body while you are exercising and how can you tell.
Identify benefits of those changes.
Identify major muscle groups.

Activities include daily All-Star Warm-ups & Core Exercises, Goblin Tag, Crows & Scarecrows Tag and more.


MANIPULATIVE SKILLS - Jump Ropes, Hula Hoops, Spin Jammers
Learning Targets (Goals) for Skill introduction/development/improvement
I can spin the rope big and wide.
I can jump when "I see the rope" in front of my eyes.
I can "keep moving" when I hula around different body parts.
I can spin a disc on my finger nail(s).

Other games and skills include Climbing Rope, Wall Ball, Tetherball, Stilt Walking, and Split Bench Ball.

*Other games, activities, and goals may be mixed in based on time, development levels, or adjustments.




















Monday, October 7, 2013

P.A.C.E.

P.A.C.E. stands for Physical Activity Choices to Enjoy.

These activities are student-centered and allow students to work at their own pace.  Each activity provided during P.A.C.E. time is a physical skill students have either learned and practiced this year or in P.E. classes from the years past.  Students choose which activities they would like to improve on.

Their goal during P.A.C.E. time is to work towards proficiency at as many skills as they would like!  I encourage students to not only work on skills they may already be proficient at, but skills where they could use lots of improvement.

P.E. students in Grades 2-5 had their first P.A.C.E. time last week.  Grades 4-5 had the opportunity to work on jump roping, rope climbing, hula hooping, basketball shooting, hand dribbling, stilts walking, push-ups, sit-ups, hand plank for time, spin jamming, and scoops catch.  Grades 2-3 had the same skills except stilts walking.  Grade 1 will begin P.A.C.E. time in a few months.

Students use a P.A.C.E. Scorecard to record any skill or progression of a skill they achieved during P.A.C.E. time.  This way they can track where their skill is for each skill.

It was exciting to see so many students get so thrilled about what they just achieved, especially if it was a newly acquired skill!

Students, tell your parents about which skills you worked on during P.A.C.E. time!
Parents, ask you student(s) about which skills they worked on during P.A.C.E. time!


4th & 5th Grade P.A.C.E. Scorecard




2nd & 3rd Grade P.A.C.E. Scorecard

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Darlington Nagbe article

Many of the students know I am a big Portland Timbers fan.

I am also a fan of "complete" athletes.  "Complete" athletes are players who excel in their physical skills, but always want to improve.  "Complete" athletes also excel with top-notch sportsmanship and effort.

After reading this article from The Oregonian, I believe the Timbers' Darlington Nagbe is a "complete" athlete.

http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2013/10/nagbe_profile.html

Read it with your kids (sports fans and non-sports fans).  You don't have to be a soccer fan or sports fan to enjoy it.  Some great topics to discuss!


My favorite quote from the article...

"I'd take being a better person over a better player any day."  - Darlington Nagbe

Monday, September 30, 2013

The Golden Rule of Sports

Sportsmanship

"A person who displays good sportsmanship always plays fair and by the rules.  They make an effort to treat opponents, coaches, teachers, teammates, and referees with respect.  Sportsmanship is the golden rule of sports:  You should always treat others how you wish to be treated."

That is one reason why good sportsmanship is always encouraged in our P.E. classes.  Students who show good sportsmanship in game and sports are more likely to show this behavior in all parts of their lives.

Everybody loves to play with a good sport!  Everybody enjoys the company of a respectful person.


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

September P.E. Plans

Every month, I will post which skills we are working on and what we are doing to improve those skills.  Feel free to ask me any questions by commenting below or by email joel_miller@beaverton.k12.or.us

Parents, ask your kids about them.
Students, teach your parents how to play!

TEAMWORK AND SPORTSMANSHIP
Learning Targets (Goals) for Skill introduction/development/improvement
Use teamwork with ALL teammates in a game.
Use sportsmanship with ALL players in a game..."Good game!"
Support teammates with positive actions and words.
Use/include ALL teammates...(talking, helping, passing, etc.)

Activities include Survivor (Grades 1st-5th), Capture the Footballs (4th/5th), Ultimate (3rd-5th), Capture the Flag (2nd/3rd), Castle Soccer (1st/2nd), Color Tag (1st/2nd).

FOOT DRIBBLING AND KICKING
Learning Targets (Goals) for Skill introduction/development/improvement
Foot Dribble under control and keep the ball close.
Use ALL parts of your feet when foot dribbling...and both feet!
Use your body to shield the ball.
Pass to open teammates.

Activities include Mud Monsters (Grades 1st-5th), Pirates of the Pugg (1st-5th), Number Soccer (2nd-5th), Castle Soccer (1st/2nd), Foot Tag with Kicking (1st-5th).

SPORTS/GAME SKILLS
Learning Targets (Goals) for Skill introduction/development/improvement
Find an open space so teammates can pass to you.
Use all teammates...pass!
Guard a player while on defense.
Stay active and keep moving.

Activities include Capture the Footballs (4th/5th), Capture the Flag (2nd/3rd), Number Soccer (2nd-5th), Mud Monsters (Grades 1st-5th), Pirates of the Pugg (1st-5th), Ultimate (3rd-5th).
*Other games, activities, and goals may be mixed in based on time, development, or weather.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Teams who Survived!

Kids and parents,
At the beginning of the school year, I always like to focus on teamwork and sportsmanship when playing in games.  For teams to be successful, they must work together.  I also like to look for players who use teamwork with ALL teammates.  Classes dove in playing a game called Survivor.

(Parents) - The goal in Survivor is to get your team from one side of the gym to the other side of the gym.  Problem is players may not touch the floor.  Each team has materials they can use to help their team get across without touching the floor.  Students are not instructed how to use the materials.  They must work together to figure it out!

I have seen people aged 5 to 65 play this game (Sexton Mountain teachers played it a few weeks back!).  Hands down, the most successful teams are the teams that worked together - they helped, listened, problem solved, encouraged, and more!

In PE, many teams made it across, but not all.  I took a photo of each team that accomplished their goal!  Enjoy!  Great job, kids!