August 25, 2003 Volume 1, Number 1_ Mr. J. James Olive____

The first semester of school is now upon us. . Each day students at Waterman Elementary attend Physical Education class for 25 minutes. During this time the children participate in a warm-up period, lesson focus, and cool down period. They will accomplish many things during the first semester.

Fourth and Fifth Grade

The main units taught to the fourth and fifth graders will be soccer, football, basketball, and fitness. Ball control skills, shooting goals, goal keeping and lead-up games will be included in the soccer unit. Punting, passing, catching, and kicking skills will be developed during the football unit. Dribbling, passing, and shooting skills will be enhanced during the basketball unit. Station activities include jump ropes, rackets, balls, and hoops.

First, Second, and Third Grade

Throwing and catching skills will be practiced using footballs, scoops and bean bags and basketballs. The children will use soccer balls to develop kicking skills. Equipment stations will be used to increase locomotor and manipulative efficiency.

Kindergarten

The children will practice a variety of movements. Running, skipping, hopping, sliding and jumping will be emphasized during the first nine weeks. Learning stations will be used to introduce the pupils to a variety of sport and exercise equipment.

Activities during the second nine weeks will include basketball skills, fitness activities, and bowling.

Fitness

Each class works on fitness on a daily basis. Pupils participate in agility, speed, endurance, strength, and flexibility exercises. The flexed arm hang, pull-ups, 50 meter dash, one lap endurance run, shuttle run and 20 foot agility tests will be performed during the first semester.

Games

The physical education program provides the students the opportunity to become involved in a great variety of games. They play ball, tag, and lead-up games to sports. Games are played to encourage teamwork, sportsmanship, and enjoyment. Capture the flag, kick ball, speed ball, rainbow, pac man, off the wall, and spy will be some of the games played this past semester.

Reading Enrichment Program

Work has been started on lessons that will be used in physical education class to compliment the reading programs used in the 3-5 grades. The students will be able to put into motion some of the stories they read.

Future Units: Mini-Golf, Team Handball.