Welcome Back PE will begin Monday Audust 13!!

Week 14 & 15: Cup Stacking


This week in PE we are doing Cup Stacking at Osuna Elementary! Cup stacking is team as well as individual sport. When I first discovered cup stacking I had some doubts to the benefits but as I have witnessed fellow colleagues present this unit I have seen the great results to this activity. So what is cup stacking? The name says it all it is stacking cups in certain patterns. Some of the basic stacks include the 3-3-3 stack, the 3-6-3, the 6-6 and the 1-10-1. Students are introduced to these various stacks and then given practice time. After practice they can pair and compete against their classmates. This activity helps students to use both their dominant and non-dominant hand, as well as improve hand-eye coordination. It helps students to cross the mid-line of their brain and increase brain activity. I also intend to use this activity for rainy days, indoor recess, and other unpredicted events. Right now we are borrowing cups from another school but are looking to buy our own if we can get the funding. For more information about cup stacking visit their website at http://www.speedstacks.com/. This week I am looking to meet New Mexico State Standard number 2.

Week 11 & 12: Floor Hockey


For the next two weeks in PE we will be doing our hockey unit. For the first week we will be working on skill development through hockey stations.
1. Goalie shoot-out
2. Hot potato passing
3. Hockey bowling (shooting)
4. Forehand/ backhand passing
5. Dribbling

These stations are designed to give maximum activity and practice time before our modified games next week. My biggest emphasis will be on safety and keeping the stick below their knees. I will also be stressing proper grip and practicing puck control.

During week two we will play some small sided hockey games such as battleship hockey, and horse hockey. Older kids may get to play sideline hockey if their skill level permits other wise small sided games will be repeated. During these two weeks in PE I will be looking to meet NM State PE standard # 1. All students will be assessed on proper grip and dribbling control.

Week 10: Volleyball

This week in PE we are working on our volleyball skills. We will have four stations set up around the gym that work on the basics of volleyball.

Stations:
1. Underhand Serve- Students will be practicing serving underhand to a partner on the other side of the net. Younger students will use modified equipment and will not go over the net.
2. Bump- A student will underhand throw to their partner while the other student bumps it back. After five attempts students switch roles.
3. Setting- At this station student will practice setting using a beach volleyball against the wall.
4. 4 Square Volleyball- All the same rules as four square except the server must use an underhand serve to start and every hit after must be a bump with two hands instead of just using one.

If class progress at a high skill level, two small sided games of beach volleyball will be played with remaining 10 minutes.

Week 9: Halloween Fun House


This week we have a real treat for all the students in PE. We are doing a Halloween fun house that will feature three different stations. All stations are review from this year so far.

Our first station will be a jump rope station that students will be able to practice basic jump rope skills and partner skills. They will also have the option to do long ropes at this station. The second station will be the full rock wall challenge. Students will be challenged to climb all the way across the gym without stopping. The last station will be a student favorite as they will get to ride scooters around the gym.

Light will be turned off and specialty lights will be used to light the gym. We will also feature a fog machine and a special Halloween treat at the end of the day. Looks to be a great week in PE!

Week 8: Rock climbing!!


This week in PE we are warming up with jump rope and climbing the rock wall. This is the first time we will have used the rock wall this year and hope to get everyone involved and having a great time. Our rock wall at Osuna is a traverse wall which means the main focus is getting across not going up the wall. All students have the protection of a crash mat below if they have to come off the wall. Rock climbing is great for upper body strength and endurance.

For the primary grades, students will be challenged to make it across the entire wall without coming off. This is a difficult task because are rock wall spans the length of the gym and gets more difficult as you go down the wall. Older students will be given a similar challenge however it will be taken a step further as students will be challenged to only use certain colors of rocks as they make their way across the wall. Another challenge to be given will be to make it through a series of obstacles that will be placed on the wall. This week all students will be assessed on effort and NM state standard # 3 and 4.

Week 7: Soccer skills

This week in PE we are working on soccer skills. The younger students will be focusing primarily on soccer dribbling. All students will have their own soccer ball and we will be dribbling in self space around the gym. We will be working on ball control and small touches. Once we have had a chance to practice, we will play dribble take away. Primary grades will move on to red light green light with soccer balls. If time permits then we will move to some dribbling races.

Older students will start much the same but will quickly progress into dribble take away where some students will not have a soccer ball will be challenged to take a ball away from a student that does not have a ball.

We will then move to practicing soccer passing in groups. After students are comfortable with passing a defender will be added to passing activity.

All skill work will lead up to game play the following week.

Week 6: Overhand throwing

This week in PE we are having a paper and pencil assessment on the overhand throw. We covered the overhand throw this last week and we are review it again this week in the form of an assessment and also some great games. Younger students will be informally assessed rather than a paper and pencil assessment.

After the assessment we will be doing an activity called clean out your backyard. This activity seeks to give all the students several opportunities to practice the overhand throw. The object of the game is to keep you backyard clean (your side of the gym) by throwing all the balls on your side to the other side. The middle of the gym is separated by a volleyball net and the balls must go over the net. Both sides battle to see who can have the least amount of balls on their side when the music stops.

At the end of class students will be given some free time to throw paper airplanes around the gym and again practice the overhand throw.

Week 5: Throwing and Catching

This week in PE we are working on throwing and catching. For the younger grades we will focus on the underhand throw and catching with two hands. The main cues for the under hand throw are “Tick Tock.” We will start by throwing to a target and move on to partners and then put it into a small game called Oscar’s garbage can. During this game students must use an underhand throw to the garbage can (mats that are standing up) while two students are in the garbage can throwing is back out.

For the older grades we will be outside if the weather permits and working on the overhand throw. We will have all different kinds of equipment to throw, things ranging from a football to a yarn ball. The main cues for the overhand throw are
1. Side to target
2. Step with the opposite foot
3. Make an L- Shape with the arm you are throwing with
4. Follow through

After throwing to one another for a while we will work on throwing to a moving target and then put it all into a game called ultimate football. I am more focused on the throwing this week and less concerned about the catching however next week we will primarily focus on the catch side of things.

Week 4: Pacer


This week in PE we are running the Pacer. The pacer is a cardiovascular endurance test that takes place in the gym. Students run across the gym to a prerecorded CD that beeps every 30 seconds. The beeps get faster as times goes on. If you do not make it to the other side of the gym before the CD beeps then you get a “Mistake,” you are allowed two mistakes and then your test is over. The Osuna pacer record was set last year by a 5th grader with 110 laps.

This year I will be doing the pacer two times, once in the fall and once in the spring to measure fitness and also possible improvement throughout the year. Students are encouraged to go as long as they can within their limit. We discuss cardiovascular endurance and pacing themselves prior to the test.

If any time remains at the end of class students will be allowed to jump rope or play helicopter. For more info about the pacer check out these links:

http://www.fitnessgram.net/protocols/pacer.pdf http://www.topendsports.com/testing/tests/pacer-test.htm

Week 3: Battleship!

Students are participating in a PE favorite called battleship this week. It works on both the overhand and underhand throw. It also works on teamwork and game strategy. The object of the game is to sink everyone’s battleship before your own battleship is sunk. Ships are sunk when all their pins, lined up on the corners of the ship, are knocked down. Students must stay on their mat (battleship) unless they are the team’s dolphin, in which case they are on a scooter and retrieving balls (cannons) for their team. This game is very fast pasted and games only last 3-5 minutes. New dolphins are selected each time and strategy time is given to teams to discuss ways to protect their battleship while trying to sink others ships. Grades K-2 are assessed on underhand throwing and teamwork. Grades 3-5 are assessed on overhand throwing and teamwork. PE standards covered this week include standard 1 and standard 5.

Week 2: Pedometer Power!!


This week during PE we will start to talk about Pedometers and how we are going to use them throughout the year. Because we were so successful during our jump rope for Osuna last year, I have purchased a classroom set of pedometers and we will be using them for the first time this week! (a pedometer is a device used to count the amount of steps a student takes) We will be introducing them with some fitness activities and I will be keeping track of how many steps each class takes through out the week and year. Hopefully this will encourage even more exercise for all students at Osuna.

The two activities that will be performed will be:
1. Four corners tag
2. Fitness scavenger hunt

Both of these games can be found on www.pecentral.com at these links,

http://www.pecentral.com/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=684
http://www.pecentral.com/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=680

For more information about pedometers check this out,

http://www.walkingworksforschoolstn.com/teachers_tools/usingyourpedometer.shtml

Week 1: WELCOME BACK!

Welcome back to another exciting year at Osuna Elementary!! I can not wait to get the year started and get our kids moving! I hope everyone had an active summer. I had a great summer working at the Academy and running the La Luz trail run for the first time, boy was that an adventure!

Our first week of PE will consist of reviewing all of our PE rules and guidelines. We will warm our brains and bodies up with some fun warm-up games. We will also cover playground games and the proper way to use all equipment. With all the money that we were able to raise last year we have plenty of NEW equipment that I am excited to use! It is going to be a great year. Don’t forget to check the website to see what your child is doing in PE each week.

Remember to take note of your child’s PE day so they have the proper clothing and tennis shoes.

Summer Time!!


Thank you everyone who helped with this years Water Works Playday!! It was a huge success and for the most part the weather held up. Parents I could not have done it without you. Have a great summer and to all the 5th graders good luck in the years to come. Parents and students don’t forget to exercise over summer break. Ride your bike, go for a hike, walk the dog, go swimming, roller blade, ride your scooter or skateboard, join a sports team, fly a kite, play tag with kids on the block, enter a city race with your kids, sign up for a sports camp, go to the park, the opportunities are unlimited, JUST BE ACTIVE! A scary stat I read the other day said, “only 4% of children between the ages of 6 and 11 were considered overweight in a 1971-1974 survey, while 18.8% of children at this age were overweight in a more recent 2003-2004 survey” You can help turn this around!! Have a great and safe summer!

Week 33 & 34: Frisbee Frenzy


These next two weeks we will be starting our Frisbee unit. Our first class will be devoted to learning the basics of throwing and catching a Frisbee. As their skill level goes up we will be playing target games, as well as small sided ultimate Frisbee games for our 3rd through 5th graders.

Basics throwing techniques that will be stressed:
1. Stepping with the same foot as you throw
2. Pointing to target
3. Flicking the wrist
4. Keep the Frisbee level upon release

We will focus on three basic catches that will include:
1. Alligator catch
2. Two handed catch
3. One handed catch

Week 2, we will be playing the Frisbee golf out on the grass field. This will stress a variety of skills that include long and short distance throwing as well as accuracy when throwing a Frisbee. Older kids will be keeping a score card while K- 2nd will just be learning the course and the basics.

I will be looking to meet NM State Standard # 1, and students will be assessed on how well they complete all four basic throwing techniques.

Week 32 FITNESS IS FUN!!

This week we are gearing up the 1/2 Mile run with Fitness is FUN Stations! We have 11 fitness stations that will keep everyone moving and breathing hard.

The key to keeping our epidemic child obesity rate down is regular physical activity. Unfortunately not all of our students get the recommended exercise that they need per week. (The CDC recommends vigorous activity 3 to 5 times a week for at least 20 minutes) With only 1 to 2 PE classes per week this does not give everyone adequate exercise for the week and therefore we will be focused on ways we can exercise outside of school.

11 FITNESS IS FUN STATIONS:

1. Penny Stackers
2. Jumping Jacks
3. Big Hops
4. Basketball fitness
5. Sit-ups
6. Balance Machine
7. Hoop Run-Thru
8. Hockey shoot-out
9. Superman’s
10. Flexibility Central
11. Shuttle Run

Each Student will have a partner and go through all stations twice. Each station will be one minute long with a 10 second rest between each station. During this week I will be looking to meet NM State Standard number 4.

Week 30 & 31















For the next two weeks in PE we will be doing our hockey unit. For the first week we will be working on skill development through hockey stations.
1. Goalie shoot-out
2. Hot potato passing
3. Hockey bowling (shooting)
4. Forehand/ backhand passing
5. Dribbling

These stations are designed to give maximum activity and practice time before our modified games next week. My biggest emphasis will be on safety and keeping the stick below their knees. I will also be stressing proper grip and practicing puck control.

During week two we will play some small sided hockey games such as battleship hockey, and horse hockey. Older kids may get to play sideline hockey if their skill level permits other wise small sided games will be repeated. During these two weeks in PE I will be looking to meet NM State PE standard # 1. All students will be assessed on proper grip and dribbling control.

Week 29: Fitness Test & Battleship


This week we are warming up for our 1/2 mile fitness test that we will be taking in April. During this week 3rd-5th grade will run the 1/2 mile but scores will not be recorded. I would like the students to see where they stand in terms of cardiovascular endurance. Since many of the middle schools around town run the mile as part of there fitness testing I think it will be valuable for the older kids to measure their progress starting in Elementary. In April scores will be recorded and the students will get see the national standards for other students their age.

After the 1/2 mile we are playing a PE favorite called battleship. It works on both the overhand and underhand throw. It also works on teamwork and game strategy. The object of the game is to sink everyone’s battleship before your own battleship is sunk. Ships are sunk when all their pins, lined up on the corners of the ship, are knocked down. Students must stay on their mat (battleship) unless they are the team’s dolphin, in which case they are on a scooter and retrieving balls (cannons) for their team. This game is very fast pasted and games only last 3-5 minutes. New dolphins and selected each time and strategy time is given to teams to discuss ways to protect their battleship while trying to sink others ships. Grades K-2 are assessed on underhand throwing and teamwork. Grades 3-5 are assessed on overhand throwing and teamwork. PE standards covered this week include standard 1 and standard 5.

Week 28: OSUNA JUMP-A-THON!!!
















Our Osuna Jump-a-thon is finally here. All week in PE we will be doing our jump-a-thon during class to raise money for the PE program. We have many great games planned for this fun filled week. Some of those activities include;

Free style jump rope
Long ropes
Double Dutch
Jump competitions
Last jumper standing
Stations games
And much more!!!!!

Our younger jumpers will be leaning more basics of jump rope and will be introduced to long rope for the first time at Osuna. This week is going to be loads of fun! For more information regarding the jump-a-thon you can refer to your orange packets or visit www.osunajumpathon.blogspot.com

Week 25-27: Basketball!!

During week 1 of basketball we will be learning one of the essential skills of the game and that is dribbling. We will discuss ball control and discuss the different cues for being a successful dribbler.
1. Use finger pads
2. Bend knees and keep ball below waist
3. Use non dribbling hand to guard ball
4. Keep head up
These basic cues will be covered while we play games like, rings of fire, berry monster, and dribble take away. We will end each class with a shooting game and this week it will be around the world.

During week 2 we will cover passing. We will discuss the importance of passing in basketball and cover the three basic passes in basketball, the chest pass, bounce pass and over head pass. We will have a triangle passing activity, monkey in the middle passing, and over the hill passing activity. We will again end the day with a shooting game and this week it will be H.O.R.S.E. Shooting cues that will be emphasized will be a simple acronym call B.E.E.F.

B-balance- get your balance. Make sure you are steady.
E-eyes-look at the rim, either the back or the front, it really doesn’t matter.
E-elbow-make sure your elbow is in line with the basketball hoop.
F-follow through- Make sure you follow thru when releasing your shot.

During the 3rd and final week the older kids will be starting small 3v3 games in a format I like to call king of the court. First to 3 points and then teams switch. This keeps games moving and many students involved. For the younger grades we will play a shooting game called HOT SHOT which has become an Osuna favorite. We will also have some free shooting and students will have the option to play other shooting games learned. We are just going to have to much fun these next couple weeks while I will look to align all classes with standard number 1 (The student demonstrates competency in many movement forms and proficiency in few).

AT END OF THE BASKETBALL UNIT WE WILL HAVE OUR SECOND ANNUL MARCH MADNESS 3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT TO BE HELD IN THE GYM AT RECESS FOR ALL 3RD THROUGH 5TH GRADERS. WINNERS WIN SPECIAL PRIZES TBA!!!

Week 24: Cross the River

This week in PE we are doing one of my personal favorite activities and that is cooperative games. The idea of cooperative games is the whole is greater than the individual. We will start each class with dice warm-up in which a selected student will roll the dice to decide from a list of 12 different exercises. After our warm-up we will complete an activity called “cross the river.” During this game students will have to work in teams to cross a “river” (the gym floor) without touching any part of the floor. Each group will be given a scooter, rope, and a tire. They will have an island (mat) in the middle of the gym to assist them and all equipment must be carried across along with their entire team. After completion of this activity the students must untangle from a team knot as well as complete the floating rod. During these activities I will be looking for teamwork, group cooperation, and sportsmanship. All students will be graded on NM state standard number 5.

Week 22 & 23: Fitness Testing


This next two weeks we are doing fitness testing during PE. All students 2nd grade thru 5th will participate in a national fitness test called the FitnessGram (for more information on the FitnessGram you can visit their website at http://www.fitnessgram.net/home/. I have chosen 6 different FitnessGram tests that the students will record. These tests seek to measure four different areas of physical fitness which include flexibility, cardiovascular strength, muscular endurance and muscular strength. The primary goals of these tests are to promote enjoyable regular physical activity as well as educate students on the importance of regular physical activity. This test does not seek to attain extremely high levels of physical fitness but rather the help a majority of students to be successful at a good level of physical fitness. All students are encouraged to do their best and to stop when any test is too much. I am excited to see our wonderful Osuna students succeed these next couple weeks. New Mexico State Standard four is being met during the FitnessGram.

FITNESSGRAM TESTS:
1. Pacer Test (Aerobic Capacity)
2. Back Saver Sit and Reach (Flexibility)
3. Shoulder Stretch (Flexibility)
4. Push-ups (Muscular Strength and Endurance)
5. Curl-ups (Muscular Strength and Endurance)

Week 20 & 21: Cup Stacking


This week in PE we are doing Cup Stacking for the first time at Osuna Elementary! Cup stacking is team as well as individual sport. When I first discovered cup stacking I had some doubts to the benefits but as I have witnessed fellow colleagues present this unit I have seen the great results to this activity. So what is cup stacking? The name says it all it is stacking cups in certain patterns. Some of the basic stacks include the 3-3-3 stack, the 3-6-3, the 6-6 and the 1-10-1. Students are introduced to these various stacks and then given practice time. After practice they can pair and compete against their classmates. This activity helps students to use both their dominant and non-dominant hand, as well as improve hand-eye coordination. It helps students to cross the mid-line of their brain and increase brain activity. I also intend to use this activity for rainy days, indoor recess, and other unpredicted events. Right now we are borrowing cups from another school but are looking to buy our own if we can get the funding. For more information about cup stacking visit their website at http://www.speedstacks.com/. This week I am looking to meet New Mexico State Standard number 2.

Week 19: Team Juggling!

Welcome back! It was a very restful break and my elbow surgery went well and recovery is also coming along. This week we are doing a cooperative game called team juggling. This is a great unit that helps students work together and realize the importance of a team. It differs from regular juggling because 10-12 students are placed in a circle and given one ball to start. They proceed to toss it to the person across from them, then that student tosses it to a different person across from them, this continues until all players on the team have caught and thrown the ball. The pattern stays the same for the rest of the game. It continues to get harder because different equipment is added to the pattern so as many as 4 objects are going at once. When they have practiced for some time, then I time each team to see who has the least amount of drops in 1 minute. Last year we only had two teams in the whole school that didn’t drop a ball for the whole minute. I also include a 5 minute session where teams can give suggestions on what they can do better and come up with strategies to help them be successful. The standard I am looking to meet is New Mexico State Standard # 5 (Check out all our standards under the Great PE Links section).