Physical Education Newsletter: First Quarter 2018-2019

July 31, 2018

 Physical Education Newsletter

                                            First Quarter: School Year 2018-2019                                   

Welcome Back!
A new school year is upon us! This is a very exciting time at DKIES! Our faculty and staff have been busy this summer with meetings, workshops, and conferences. Time and effort goes into the planning of every school year. To me, it's one of the benefits of being a teacher: every year, you get an opportunity to reflect and assess your past year's performance, and set new goals for the following year.
Personally, summer meant ... 1. I was able to finish up my project on Autism and PE; this was a year long project used for professional development. I noticed in doing this project many areas where I fall short, and many areas where I can integrate ideas that will help not only autistic students, but all students; 2. my family trip to Japan; this was my second trip there and each time I learn new things. Mainly, I always like to check out there school system and how they do things. You can learn more about this if you read my blog, "The Gym Blog," at my website: www.everythingphysed.com.

This year, Mrs. Lauren Meyer will continue to teach the lower grades, from preK to Grade 1. She came in last year for the second semester and did a fantastic job! Mrs. Meyer is not only a knowledgeable and competent teacher, but she is also caring and nurturing; all the students love her. Our school is tremendously blessed to have her on our staff!
Our PE classes will increase by five minutes, this school year. That will give us a little extra time. Also, the upper grade curriculum will change slightly in emphasis: based on my current data, there will be more physical fitness activities provided. This has been recognized as a "need area." Also, another "need area" is Social Skills/Sportsmanship. Therefore, you can expect more activities which will bring out certain behaviors which we will encourage (peer help, positive interactions, resiliency, etc.) and hopefully allow the students to grow out of self-defeating and group-defeating behaviors.
All of this will be a part of this year's PE classes, and you will be able to read all about it on my blog, as I will make comments throughout the year.
Finally, my next "initiative" will be to contact parents regularly with a PE Record. This will provide information on your child's progress in physical fitness, social skills/behavior, and with movement/athletic skills. The exact method of doing this is still under consideration (translation: I don't know yet!). But, I will try to get information out in a confidential manner, so that the students and their parents can see a detailed profile of Physical Education progress. I believe this will be much better than waiting for a quarterly report card grade.

First Quarter PE
Grades 2, 3, 4, 5 start the year with PE classes that will integrate all the PE National Standards. For example, we start out with Cooperative Learning activities, PLUS physical fitness evaluations, over the first few weeks. We will then start a Sports Unit on Golf. The sports units will be more focused, over several weeks, and will OVERLAP with other sports units, as we go through the year. In this way, the students will be "reviewing" sports skills throughout the year.
By the end of the first quarter, we will have started our next Sports Unit on Volleyball.
According to the PE First Quarter Plan, we should end the the quarter, in early October, with the following activities: Cooperative Learning, Gold, Volleyball, and all six physical fitness tests, with a baseline score.

First Quarter "Athletics:"
The term "Athletics" is applied to all extracurricular PE activities.
Our first quarter interscholastic sport is Cross Country. DKIES is the host school of a school complex wide cross country invitational in September. This year will mark our 14th year of cross country.
At the school level, we provide opportunities for any interested student to do cross country running. Our campus course is a two-lap, one mile run. Your child will bring home information about these events.


First Quarter P. E. Events:
Friday, September 28th:      14th Annual DKIES Cross Country Invitational
                                             DKIES, Wheeler, Solomon, Wahiawa, Iliahi, Helemano, and Ka'ala
Friday, October 5th:             Last day of First Quarter
Monday, October 15th         Start of Second Quarter

Don't Forget:

Go to:   www.everythingphysed.com

Physical Education at DKIES has a Website dedicated to PE! You can get information about everything PE at that website. Also, besides this Newsletter, check out the "Gym Blog." It will outline all my PE classes and what the students are doing and why they're doing it! You can find information on Curriculum, Assessment, special events, extracurriculars, etc.!!!

DKIES Physical Education
Phone: 305-3544
Office: P-14
Mrs. Meyer
Mr. Bevacqua

“Page Two"

Here is some additional information on the Physical Education Program at DKIES. The "Page Two" section is something I added just to give parents and interested faculty a brief framework of what PE is all about and what we do as PE teachers. Much more information can be gathered at the PE Website, at:  www.everythingphysed.com

What is Physical Education?

Physical Education is an academic subject area. It is instructional and is offered within the framework
of the overall school curriculum. Servicing involves organized, sequential lessons based on National and State Physical Education Standards and Benchmarks. Activities are designed to be developmentally appropriate for all students, from pre-K to Grade 5.

The main objectives of a Physical Education Program are achieved by altering psychomotor behaviors through learning about the body, self, movement skills, physical fitness, rules and strategies, and social interactions. Implementing an integrated cognitive/affective/psychomotor program for the nurturing of a physically educated child; a child who will have a positive perspective on physical activity and participate for a lifetime does this. By so doing, this will improve one’s physical, mental, spiritual, and social state of being.

What does Daniel K Inouye Elementary School believe regarding Physical Education?

DKIES believes that:

1. All students can learn!
2. All students, regardless of ability level, can benefit from Physical Education
3. All students have the right to a quality Physical Education Program that enhances self-esteem, improves self-concept, and develops social competencies.
4. All students need regular instruction in Physical Education, Health, and fitness.

The Physical Education Program’s Mission Statement:

1. To promote physical growth, development, and maintenance through activities that develops movement skills, strength, coordination, and aerobic endurance.
2. To contribute to the development of social competencies in relationships with others.
3. To enjoy, appreciate, value, and participate in physical activities and recreation for a lifetime.
4. To develop useful and socially beneficial skills in physical activities and sports.
5. To increase the level of cardiovascular fitness and an understanding of the benefits of such capacities.
6. To associate Physical Education and physical activities with a positive perception, high self-esteem, high self-confidence, and a healthy self-concept.

What is the latest research tell us about exercise and the brain? Does running really help my child learn better in the classroom?

I can answer this question with an unequivocal, “YES!” We’re learning more and more about this issue, but current research is showing that there is a direct link between aerobic exercise and the functioning of the brain, especially the learning centers in the brain.

Neuroscience has told us:

1. Humans are genetically engineered to be “movers”; there is a biological imperative to physical activity in order to keep the whole organism functioning at its potential; the mind, body, and spirit are NOT separate; we are a whole.
2. 2. When the body works, the brain is prepared for peak performance; this is not just because of improved circulation and blood flow; it also is essential in the formation of neurochemicals which bind neurons together in the brain; these neurochemicals help the brain with its growth of new brain cells and with the binding of those cells.
3. As the brain creates new cells and continues to bind neurons, our cognitive capacities are increased!!! Academic skills, memory, mood, and attention level will improve!
4. The type of aerobic exercise needed for this type of  improvement to happen is exercise, which raises the heart rate, and it needs to be done on a regular basis!

References: To get more information, check the website of Dr. John Ratey, who is at the forefront of this science and its effect on learning in school.

A KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 5 P.E. CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

I.               An Introduction to PE Concepts

1. Safety
2. Body Awareness and self-control
3. Space: personal, common, directionality, levels
4. Time: duration, tempo/pace, rhythm
5. Force: intensity, speed
6. Social Awareness: cooperative play, team work, group dynamics
7. Ambidexterity: hands and feet
8. Aerobic conditioning: relationship to health and whole body enhancement

II.             Locomotor and Non-Locomotor Skills

1. Locomotor : walk, run, gallop, side slide, jump, hop, leap, skip
2. Non-locomotor: bend, twist, turn, etc.
3. Combination Skills:  dodging, chasing, tagging, guarding, basic sports skills

III.           Application of Locomotor Skills and Concepts

1. Locomotor Games
2. Relays activities
3. Jump Rope
4. Gymnastics: tumbling skills, balancing
5. Rhythmic activities
6. Sports Fundamentals

IV.           Object Handling/Striking Skills

1. Throwing: underhand, overhead, overhand, sidearm, backhand
2. Receiving:  various levels, speeds, objects
3. Pushing and Lifting
4. Pulling
5. Striking: with bat, with racquet, with hockey stick, etc.
6. Striking: with foot; ambidexterity

V.             Application of Object Handling Skills and Concepts

1. Sports/Athletics: softball, basketball, volleyball, golf, darts, football, Frisbee, soccer, racquet sports
2. Games/modified games

VI.           Physical Fitness Testing and Assessment

1. Running:  300 yards, 600 yards, cross country (0.75 miles), and 1 mile run
2. Sprints:     40 yard dash; 100 yard dash; 200 yard dash
3. Shuttle run:  30’ course
4. Standing Long Jump
5. Sit-ups
6. Push-ups/flex arm hang/pull up
7. Jump Rope

VII.         Social Skills Integration

1. Listening Skills
2. Following Directions
3. Cooperating with partner, small group, large group, team
4. Cooperation with a variety of partners and groups (gender, ability levels, etc.)
5. Sportsmanship Behaviors
6. Empathy/Values

2012 PE Newsletter Vol.1

 Physical Education Newsletter

Vol.  1                                                                                      July-September    2012

Welcome To The 2012-2013 School Year!!!!

Another school year is upon us and it’s very exciting! This year, Mr. Enoki will be teaching grades K-2, and Mr. Bevacqua will have grades 3-5. We are ready to go with a full schedule of lessons, activities, sports, and much more!

We will begin our PE schedule with a week of Orientation and Recess Rules. This will be conducted in your child’s homeroom starting on Monday, July 30.

Our first, regular PE lessons of the year will begin on Monday, August 6^th.

Please feel free to refer to this “Newsletter” whenever you want some PE information. It will not only give you current news on what your child is doing, but it also gives general information on the Physical Education Curriculum and how we try our best to implement National Standards in teaching and assessment.

Again, welcome back and I hope you and your child have a wonderful school year!!!

Our Newsletter Format:  

What we call, “Page One” will detail current news and activities and is updated every quarter.  

What we call, “Page Two” gives general information regarding the Hale Kula PE Program, our philosophy, mission, curriculum overview of Grades K to Grade 5, etc. This information is not only for parents but also for classroom teachers, staff, those outside our Hale Kula Ohana, and anyone interested in the teaching of Physical education. We hope it’s helpful!

“Page    One”:  First Quarter

The PE Bulletin Board:

 I’d like to start with a reminder to check the PE Bulletin Board, located on A Building, to get your weekly PE information! We keep the latest news on that bulletin board, including current PE lessons for the week, class results and performance statistics, student ratings, and coming events!

First Quarter PE Curriculum for Upper Grades (3-5):

Grades 3-5 will have a busy first quarter! We start with a “Recess Orientation” for all students, which will review activities, rules and procedures while at recess. We hope every child enjoys his/her recess time in a safe and healthy manner.

Our first unit of study will be our “Golf Unit.” This will include not only putting (which we introduced last year) but also swing technique, iron play, etc. We will employ our “Hale Kula Driving Range” for these lessons.

After Golf, we switch to our “Volleyball Unit.” The students will learn all the basic skills and play in full court games.

Also in the first quarter, is cross country running. The first quarter of the year is “Cross Country Season” at hale Kula. All students will be running our course and developing their cardiovascular endurance!

Supplementing these activities will be “Physical Fitness Practice and Assessment.” We start the year with the 600 yard run, Shuttle Run, and sit-ups.

.

First Quarter PE for Lower Grades:

The lower grades will begin with a complete “Locomotor Skill Assessment.” All eight locomotor skills are introduced/reviewed and the students are assessed.

Also, we teach “Spatial Awareness Skills” which includes personal space, common space, moving with personal space, moving through common space. There are a variety of fun activities that will engage the students as they learn these skills.

Also, “Social Skills” are always reinforced with cooperative learning activities.

Supplementing these activities will be “Physical Fitness Practice and Assessment.” Even at the Kindergarten level, all the students get an introduction to our physical fitness tests and begin their path to mastering them!

PE Attire:

PLEASE don’t forget appropriate PE attire is tennis/running shoes, shorts, and a t-shirt. Preferably, simple play clothes are best because they may get wet and/or dirty during a PE class. There are two main reasons for the dress requirement:

1. Your child will perform better and more comfortably
2. SAFETY! We do not want children falling because of running with sandals or rubber slippers; your child may get hurt or hurt others.

So, PLEASE, starting on Monday, August 6^th, find out your child has PE class, and be sure he/she is dressed appropriately on that day!

Extracurricular Activities:

In the first quarter, we have “Cross Country Season.” All Hale Kula students run cross country and we have intramural opportunities for those who would like to pursue it. The cross country running opportunities that the students will have in both PE class and intramurals will help determine this year’s Cross Country Team.

Hale Kula Cross Country Invitational:

The Eighth Annual Hale Kula Cross Country Invitational will be held on Wednesday, September 26^th, 2012, at Watts Field, on Base. Invited schools are Solomon, Wheeler, Wahiawa, Iliahi, Ka’ala, and Helemano. Representing Hale Kula will students from grades 3, 4 and 5. The races will cover a one-mile cross country course. Team selections will be later in the first quarter.

Important Dates:

Monday, July 30^th ……… PE classes officially begin! Check your child’s schedule!

Wednesday, September 26^th …. Hale Kula Cross Country Invitational; 9:00 am

“Page Two”

What is Physical Education?

Physical Education is an academic subject area. It is instructional and is offered within the framework of the overall school curriculum. Servicing involves organized, sequential lessons based on National and State Physical Education Standards and Benchmarks. Activities are designed to be developmentally appropriate for all students, from pre-K to Grade 5.

The main objectives of a Physical Education Program are achieved by altering psychomotor behaviors through learning about the body, self, movement skills, physical fitness, rules and strategies, and social interactions. Implementing an integrated cognitive/affective/psychomotor program for the nurturing of a physically educated child; a child who will have a positive perspective on physical activity and participate for a lifetime does this. By so doing, this will improve one’s physical, mental, spiritual, and social state of being.

What does Hale Kula believe regarding Physical Education?

Hale Kula believes that:

1. All students can learn!
2. All students, regardless of ability level, can benefit from Physical Education.
3. All students have the right to a quality Physical Education Program that enhances self-esteem, improves self-concept, and develops social competencies.
4. All students need regular instruction in Physical Education, Health, and fitness.

The Physical Education Program’s Mission Statement:

1. To promote physical growth, development, and maintenance through activities that develops movement skills, strength, coordination, and aerobic endurance.
2. To contribute to the development of social competencies in relationships with others.
3. To enjoy, appreciate, value, and participate in physical activities and recreation for a lifetime.
4. To develop useful and socially beneficial skills in physical activities and sports.
5. To increase the level of cardiovascular fitness and an understanding of the benefits of such capacities.
6. To associate Physical Education and physical activities with a positive perception, high self-esteem, high self-confidence, and a healthy self-concept.

What is the latest research tell us about exercise and the brain? Does running really help my child learn better in the classroom?

I can answer this question with an unequivocal, “YES!” We’re learning more and more about this issue, but current research is showing that there is a direct link between aerobic exercise and the functioning of the brain, especially the learning centers in the brain.

Neuroscience has told us:

1. Humans are genetically engineered to be “movers”; there is a biological imperative to physical activity in order to keep the whole organism functioning at its potential; the mind, body, and spirit are NOT separate; we are a whole.
2. 2. When the body works, the brain is prepared for peak performance; this is not just because of improved circulation and blood flow; it also is essential in the formation of neurochemicals which bind neurons together in the brain; these neurochemicals help the brain with its growth of new brain cells and with the binding of those cells.
3. As the brain creates new cells and continues to bind neurons, our cognitive capacities are increased!!! Academic skills, memory, mood, and attention level will improve!
4. The type of aerobic exercise needed for this type of  improvement to happen is exercise, which raises the heart rate, and it needs to be done on a regular basis!

References: To get more information, check the website of Dr. John Ratey, who is at the forefront of this science and its effect on learning in school.

A KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 5 P.E. CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

I.               An Introduction to PE Concepts

1. Safety
2. Body Awareness and self-control
3. Space: personal, common, directionality, levels
4. Time: duration, tempo/pace, rhythm
5. Force: intensity, speed
6. Social Awareness: cooperative play, team work, group dynamics
7. Ambidexterity: hands and feet
8. Aerobic conditioning: relationship to health and whole body enhancement

II.             Locomotor and Non-Locomotor Skills

1. Locomotor : walk, run, gallop, side slide, jump, hop, leap, skip
2. Non-locomotor: bend, twist, turn, etc.
3. Combination Skills:  dodging, chasing, tagging, guarding, basic sports skills

III.           Application of Locomotor Skills and Concepts

1. Locomotor Games
2. Relays activities
3. Jump Rope
4. Gymnastics: tumbling skills, balancing
5. Rhythmic activities
6. Sports Fundamentals

IV.           Object Handling/Striking Skills

1. Throwing: underhand, overhead, overhand, sidearm, backhand
2. Receiving:  various levels, speeds, objects
3. Pushing and Lifting
4. Pulling
5. Striking: with bat, with racquet, with hockey stick, etc.
6. Striking: with foot; ambidexterity

V.             Application of Object Handling Skills and Concepts

1. Sports/Athletics: softball, basketball, volleyball, golf, darts, football, Frisbee, soccer, racquet sports
2. Games/modified games

VI.           Physical Fitness Testing and Assessment

1. Running:  300 yards, 600 yards, cross country (0.75 miles), and 1 mile run
2. Sprints:     50 yard dash; 100 yard dash; 200 yard dash
3. Shuttle run:  30’ course; 60’ course
4. Standing Long Jump
5. Sit-ups
6. Push-ups/flex arm hang/pull up

VII.         Social Skills Integration

1. Listening Skills
2. Following Directions
3. Cooperating with partner, small group, large group, team
4. Cooperation with a variety of partners and groups (gender, ability levels, etc.)
5. Sportsmanship Behaviors
6. Empathy/Values

For questions, concerns, and/or information about the Hale Kula Physical Education Program, feel free to contact Jerry Bevacqua or Ted Enoki, PE Resource Teachers, at 622-6380, ext. 292.

Thank you!