Teammates & Books & Fitness Tests

Spring!

This season reminds me sun, green grass, warmer weather, rain, and playing catch.

This month, all P.E. students are working on improving their throwing and catching skills.  They work on this in individual drills and as part of a team in games and activities.

Many of our students are also working on these skills while they play baseball, fastpitch, or T-ball this season.  Also, many of our students work on other skills while they play on sports teams in the Spring.

During these activities, one thing I like to praise is players who work hard at improving their skills AND also support and work with their teammates during the game.  This tends to encourage and remind those "silent" hard workers to remember they are part of a team and that means something.

A few "choice" tidbits heard in our gym when teamwork and sportsmanship is discussed:

Players who use TEAMWORK...
- work with others
- often think of teammates first
- make sure all actions help the team
- try their best or give their best effort

Players who use SPORTSMANSHIP...
- cheer for others
- support and help others
- are fun to play with
- follow game rules

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Two books I highly recommend:

What Makes Olga Run?  The Mystery of the Ninety-Something Track Star and What She Can Teach Us About Living, Longer Happier Lives by Bruce Grierson
She has 26 track and field world records.  She started participating in track and field when she retired.  What has Olga done to age so well?  Can we learn from her and apply to our own lives?  Great discussion about unlocking the mysteries of again.  Fascinating!  I have learned a lot.




In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
Eat food.  Not too Much.  Mostly Plants.  This easy to read book is not preachy, but poses many questions to think about concerning eating lifestyles.







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Fitness Tests are coming soon for 3rd through 5th graders.  Our focus is for students to see how their body is doing.  How fit is it?  Which areas are doing well?  Which areas could use some work?  They are not graded on how many tests they pass.  Rather, you could say this is their yearly check-up.

Lately, we have been practicing the tests.  Feel free to practice together as a family.

Strength
PACER/Run (cardio strength)
Push-ups (upper body strength)
Sit-ups (core strength)
50 Yard Dash (lower body strength)

Flexibility
Shoulder Stretch (upper body flexibility)
Trunk Lift (core flexibility)
Sit and Reach (lower body flexibility)

Gym Shorts

Ahhhh, February.  It is so good to see you!  Goodbye, January!!!!

A few tidbits from the Sexton Mt. gym...

Basketball - Our students have been to hoop it up in P.E. classes this week.  We are working on shooting, dribbling, passing, receiving, ball-handling, pivots, and more!  This week, I heard a lot of "I made my first shot ever" following a shining smile.  We love it when hard work pays off.

Hoop Shoot - Our Sexton Mountain Hoop Shoot champions did very well in their next contests.  Emma R. and Spencer B. were amazing in the district contest!  After winning the district contest, Natalie N. and Tyler C. placed very high in the Metro contest!  I am sure glad I did not compete against them.  I would have no chance!

Fitness Concepts - In P.E. class, we often ask, "How can you tell you are being physically active?".  Parents, ask your children.  Children, ask your parents.
Students in 3rd-5th grade are not only learning the names of major muscle groups, but are identifying with exercises and activities strengthen which areas of the body.

Beaverton P.E. in the news - This recent article in The Oregonian talks about the upcoming House Bill 3141 that will increase P.E. minutes in elementary schools to 150 minutes per week in 2017 (Sexton Mt. students average roughly 45-55 per week).  I am sure we can all agree any increase in organized physical activity time taught by a certified P.E. teacher is a good one.  It is a positive Beaverton is already planning on how to tackle this increase because it will be a tricky task.  I am sure state legislators, school administrators, and P.E. teachers can work together to come up with a plan that is best for our students.

JOG-A-THON - Sexton Mt.'s annual Jog-a-thon is coming up on Friday, March 7.  My favorite fundraiser!  Students can exercise and earn money at the same time!  Help students get pledges so their hard work when running laps on our track count towards helping the school fund things like arts programs, Field Day, Science Fair, new computers, and more!  Students will run during their Specials times.

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!