I have the privilege of teaching Health and Physical Education to elementary aged students at St. John’s. St. John’s elementary students started the year off by learning how to effectively work together as a team and show empathy towards one another. Here is a look at what we’ve been learning so far this year:
Physical Education
Kindergarten – Grade 1–Large Locomotor Skills and Following Directions
This is accomplished by incorporating fun games where the students usually have no idea that they are working on a goal; they are just having fun! For example, students learned how to “drive” and learned the rules of the road playing “Hula Hoop Road Show.” This game allows students to “drive” their cars (hula hoops) throughout the gym safely while learning how to listen for cues such as Red Light (stop), Green Light (go), bumpy road (skip), or slippery mud (side-slide).
Grades 2-5–Teamwork
Students play games where teamwork is essential. For example, a favorite game of the students is called “Cross the River.” Each game they play is “gamified” in that there are levels, like in video games. As the teams finish a level, they get to level up to the next, more challenging level. In “Cross the River” students must work together and strategize on how to safely get their team across a “toxic river” using only a limited amount of supplies. It is so fun to see how creative and unique each student is during this time of strategizing.
In addition, grade 5 has been learning the importance of setting goals and how to stay fit. They learned how to find their resting heart rate, the FITT principle, and all about the heart. Students were even able to see the heart using an augmented reality app during PE.
Health—
Grades 2-4
Students have been learning empathy, what it is and how to show it. They are also learning about their bodies and the importance of taking care of them.
Looking forward to the rest of the school year with these amazing students!
By: Mrs. Miller, Physical Education Teacher
