As we enter our first months of the new school year, all PE classes will spend some time working together in team building activities and games. These laughter filled games really get us going as everyone deciphers their role in any given task. Some favorites are ‘let it fly,’ ‘fish monger,’ ‘builders & bulldozers.’  Each activity relies heavily on full participation and cooperation in order to achieve success. For example, our youngest children must help each other save an animal, move a bridge or evade an alligator in our story-based games. Or when a group of fourth graders attempt to launcha rubber chicken from a parachute, they must coordinate timing, force and directional control. This can’t happen without excellent communication skills. Happily, our students quickly find balance within their groups and complete their tasks with smiles galore!
 
All grade levels are presently working on soccer skills. Whatever a students skill level, there is an appropriate challenge that allows for continual success. Working against a stopwatch, we dribble, juggle, pass and shoot to improve basic skills and ball sense. More importantly we work to improve speed, agility and quickness, which carries over to all sports. Students play crazy games, which allow them to develop their balance and coordination. The ability to improve is dependent upon the vestibular and proprioceptive systems’ effectiveness, so we spend time upside down, spinning on scooters and attempting confusing criss-cross (midline) challenges. You may hear about games like ‘quick hands,’ ‘under & over’ or ‘down dog tag.’ Often I ask children to take these challenges home to give parents a chance to try. Students are amazed to discover that these activities truly are challenging.

Alison Lohmann
Physical Education Specialist