MRS. MULROE'S CLASSES

The 5^th graders in the Adams and Washington groups began their Physical Education experience participating in Peaceful Playgrounds. We moved on to long rope jumping. Students formed groups, created a routine and performed it for their classmates. 5^th graders then participated in fitness focused activities in a circuit format to music. This led into the pre-test for State Fitness testing. As we finish up fitness testing we are learning football related skills that will be used in lead up games for flag football which students will play in 7^th grade. They have done a great job of working to create and maintain an emotionally safe environment for all students. In doing this, they have a much richer, more enjoyable Physical Education experience with their peers.

MRS. OCHOWICZ'S CLASSES

The Jefferson, Madison, Paiute, and Miwok groups started their year off with the Peaceful Playgrounds program. This provided students with the knowledge of playground game rules and has resulted in an enjoyable playground experience for all. Students went on to learn proper overhand throwing techniques using many different objects and practiced catching. The 4^th and 5^th graders then learned some basic juggling skills.  During this time the 5^th graders completed their pre-test for the State Fitness Testing while the 4^th graders got a little taste of what the fitness test experience is like.  Students are currently practicing volleyball skills such as the forearm pass, underhand serve and setting that are used in lead up games for volley tennis and volleyball.

7th grade Physical Education has gotten off to a fantastic start! Students started off their year with some wild and crazy cooperative games so they could get to know one another better and learn to work well in teams. During the football unit they built upon the skills they learned in 4^th and 5^th grade. They participated in official flag football games demonstrating their skills and knowledge of the game. During State Fitness Testing students learned about health related fitness. From the information gathered during their fitness tests, students will determine their fitness level in each of the five health-related fitness components and be able to set short and long term fitness goals.  Students also learned juggling basics and completed a juggling lab. They will be using these skills when they create their own juggling routines. The students have just begun their volleyball unit and look forward to utilizing their prior knowledge of volleyball skills in competitive games. 7^th graders can look forward to the new "Golden Sneaker Award" that will be introduced this year.

MS. KUCZON'S CLASSES

6^th grade is a very exciting time because students get to participate in Physical Education classes every day. 6^th grade students started off the year with a unit called Project Adventure. Some of the goals of the unit were to learn to support, respect, accept and trust each other through various activities and cooperative games. The students played games like "Toilet Tag", "Frogs & Flies", "Robot", "Captain of the Ship" and Life on the Farm". They also worked really well together during trust activities like "Willow in the Wind", "Levitation" and various trust falls. The second unit was Volleytennis which involved developing and refining their bumping, setting, serving, spiking and blocking skills. They worked on their offensive and defensive team strategies and demonstrated good sportsmanship during some very exciting games. The unit ended with a fun game of "towel" volleytennis and was followed by their first written test in Physical Education which they prepared for using their studyguides. The 6^th graders are presently in the middle of taking their State Fitness Testing pre tests and are performing very well. Personal bests are occurring on a daily basis. Parents can stay informed about 6^th grade Physical Education by having their child share the resources that are in their yellow Sportfolio which they are required to bring to class every day. Ask your child about their "Power Beads", "Freaky Friday", "Atta Baby" and the coveted "Spirit Trophies". 6^th graders are putting the "FIZZ" in Physical Education!

MS. LAMSON'S CLASSES

 The Monroe and Kato groups participated in the Peaceful Playground program to start off the year. They then moved on to learn how to perform the forearm pass and serve a volleyball underhanded. These skills lead to volleytennis in the 6^th grade and volleyball in the 7^th grade. The 4^th and 5^th graders have moved on to using an implement to manipulate an object. The equipment they've been using is Field Hockey sticks and balls. Students learned to dribble the ball and pass it to a classmate. They also enjoyed learning how to play hockey bocce ball. As eighth graders, they will see this equipment again when they learn to play in field hockey games.

This week in 8^th grade physical education, students are playing Field Hockey. Students have spent time learning the dribbling, passing, dodging, and tackling skills necessary for game play. This is a new sport for most students, and they have developed many new skills and the games are going extremely well. Students use their pedometers during play and have found that they cover between a mile and two miles just playing in the game. This gives the students a fun way to fit running into their daily routine. If you have an 8^th grader, please ask them about the pedometers....we will be using them all year.  

The goal of the Physical Education Department is to provide a sequential, progressive curriculum to help students develop a life long commitment to their own physical well being, health, and personal fitness. We would like to thank the school community for their on going support which is vital to the success or our program. Thank you from the Physical Education Department.