All-Stars!

We like to recognize All-Stars in P.E. class.  An All-Star is someone who tries their best at everything...playing well with others, following directions, making good choices, helping others, using teamwork, being a good sport, playing safely, trying new and challenging tasks, and more.

Running fast, scoring goals, making baskets, evading captors, winning contests are all fun and exciting, but there are outcomes of effort.  Sometimes there are out of our control.

Therefore, we reward the process...effort and growth.  Everyone controls their effort...which often produces growth.  No matter how big or small, growth is growth.  Kids do notice it.

Here are the students who were recognized this week in P.E. for their effort.  There were definitely more All-Star efforts in P.E. than just from these students.  I look forward to recognizing more students next week!

Leadership

In honor of our Portland Trailblazers opening night game, I present a magnificent read about their point guard Damien Lillard.  Basketball fan or not, this it features great insights into leadership and team first attitudes that all youngsters should ponder.  Enjoy!

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/09/damian_lillard_sends_a_message_a_dawning_of_a_new.html#incart_river

Sexton Mtn. Innovates!

Here at Sexton Mountain, we value physical activity and its effect on learning and the health of the only body we will every have!  Check it out.

https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/pillars/Pages/Pillar%20Stories%202015-2016/Innovate-October-2015.aspx

Climbing Wall

Experiences.  They build awareness.  They build confidence.  They build skills.  They bring on wisdom.

In P.E., we always want to help develop students' physical literacy.  Part of that is learning and developing many skills.

Thanks to our super supportive PTC and community members, we have a new 8 ft. by 20 ft climbing wall installed in our gym.

All of our students got to experience it this week.  I was so proud of the kids who tried something new.  I was proud of the experience climbers who climbed without a harness (do not worry, their feet cannot go higher than 3 feet of the ground).

I saw lots of students increasing their confidence as they tried a difficult task.  Also something about growth.

Enjoy some pics of kids in action!

Using Teamwork to "Survive"

Wow, it is fantastic to see these students again!

It was a special first week back.

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.  2nd through 5th grade 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 staff have even played!).  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!  (Some teams even made it back and forth 4 separate times even after I took away some equipment after each successful trip.)

Enjoy!  Great job, kids!