Week 2 (August 27-31)

This week started off as planned but the hot weather at the end of the week caused us to change plans.

First Grade:
The week started with our procedures outside. We started out class time with our stretching procedures. We learned that we should not bounce when stretching, we should count slow (20-30 seconds) and we should never feel a sharp pain. We also worked on learning the names of the muscles that we were stretching. So far we have learned how to stretch the hamstrings, triceps, deltoids, quadriceps and also warmed up our Tarsals (ankles) and Carpals (wrist).

We worked on our freeze signal (hands on knees, eyes on me, mouths closed) and also how to walk to and from class. We also spent time working on circle games for duck-duck-goose and cut the cake. Afterwards we worked on procedures for water and also jobs for water time (counters, tappers, officers).

The end of the week we watched a video about the human body and how the body works. The three concepts that we really worked on was that the body uses bones for support and structure, the joints to help with movement and muscles to give the energy to move.

Third Grade:
The week started with our procedures outside. We started out class time with our stretching procedures. We learned that we should not bounce when stretching, we should count slow (20-30 seconds) and we should never feel a sharp pain. We also worked on learning the names of the muscles that we were stretching. So far we have learned how to stretch the hamstrings, triceps, deltoids, quadriceps and also warmed up our Tarsals (ankles) and Carpals (wrist).

After we finished stretching we started with an activity called Group Juggling. We worked on the procedures for creating an order to group juggling and also worked on practicing the order that each group created. We then added a yarn ball and continued with the group order and eventually added a second yarn ball to the group. We will be using Group Juggling throughout the year and change the tasks that the students are to perform for group juggling.

Later in the week we spent time inside. First, we worked on the expectations handout. We didn't have enough time last week to finish our paper. We wrote down the five expectations for class (listen to the teacher, follow directions, participation is required, show the core values and stay in class) and we also wrote down the grading procedure (60% for participation and 40% for classwork). After reviewing our expectations we started labeling the muscles of the body on a piece of paper. We started by labeling the front side (anterior) muscles (deltoid, biceps, obliques, quadriceps, tibialis anterior, pectoralis major and rectus abdominus). We will finish the back side of the paper on another day.

Fifth Grade:
The week started with our procedures outside. We started out class time with our stretching procedures. We learned that we should not bounce when stretching, we should count slow (20-30 seconds) and we should never feel a sharp pain. We also worked on learning the names of the muscles that we were stretching. So far we have learned how to stretch the hamstrings, triceps, deltoids, quadriceps, groin and also warmed up our lower back, Tarsals (ankles) and Carpals (wrist).

After we finished stretching we started with an activity called Group Juggling. We worked on the procedures for creating an order to group juggling and also worked on practicing the order that each group created. We then added a yarn ball and continued with the group order and eventually added a second yarn ball to the group. We will be using Group Juggling throughout the year and change the tasks that the students are to perform for group juggling.

Later in the week we spent time inside. First, we worked on the expectations handout. We didn't have enough time last week to finish our paper. We wrote down the five expectations for class (listen to the teacher, follow directions, participation is required, show the core values and stay in class) and we also wrote down the grading procedure (60% for participation and 40% for classwork).

After reviewing our expectations we started to learn about the five components of physical fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition and flexibility). These five components deal with the fitness testing that are required as part of the FitnessGram tests that should be completed in the spring of every year. Each student was given one of the components to research and given a research page to read over. They were asked to know how to define their component, learn which tests to use for their component and to know what activities that a student could perform to improve on their component. After they learned about their component they started making a poster promoting their component. These posters will be completed in class on another day.

Sixth Grade:
The week started with our procedures outside. We started out class time with our stretching procedures. We learned that we should not bounce when stretching, we should count slow (20-30 seconds) and we should never feel a sharp pain. We also worked on learning the names of the muscles that we were stretching. So far we have learned how to stretch the hamstrings, triceps, deltoids, quadriceps, groin and also warmed up our lower back, Tarsals (ankles) and Carpals (wrist).

After we finished stretching we started with an activity called Group Juggling. We worked on the procedures for creating an order to group juggling and also worked on practicing the order that each group created. We then added a yarn ball and continued with the group order and eventually added a second yarn ball to the group. We will be using Group Juggling throughout the year and change the tasks that the students are to perform for group juggling.

Later in the week we started by learning the five components of physical fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition and flexibility). These five components deal with the fitness testing that are required as part of the FitnessGram tests that should be completed in the spring of every year. Each student was given one of the components to research and given a research page to read over. They were asked to know how to define their component, learn which tests to use for their component and to know what activities that a student could perform to improve on their component. After they learned about their component they started making a poster promoting their component. These posters will be completed in class on another day.

Week One! (August 21-24)

First Grade:
During the first part of the week, the first graders worked on three things that they did over the summer. We also were able to read the book "David goes to school" (David Shannon). We made connections as to how David should have made better choices during school. The rest of the week was designed to have the students learn the four expectations for Health & Fitness. They drew a picture for each of the four rules (listen, follow directions, try your best and show the core values).

Third Grade:
We started the week with a classroom connection assignment. We wrote down answers to basic questions like your favorite color and how many sisters do you have. We then introduced ourselves to other people and asked them the questions we had already answered. If we made a match we traded papers and signed the other person's paper. Later in the week we started with a H&F hieroglyphics. We went searching for the cyphers (code) and used the information to translate a worksheet.

Fifth Grade:
We also completed the classroom connection assignment during the start of the week. We also participated in the H&F hieroglyphics during the later part of the week. On Thursday and Friday we took the last twenty minutes of class to go over to the first grade classrooms and we introduced ourselves to our "little buddy." These buddies were able to go out and spend about ten minutes talking with each other and playing with each other at the end of the day. The goal is to have the fifth graders meet up with their little buddies every month for a little while.

Sixth Grade:
The start of the week started with the classroom connection. We spent the day working on introducing ourselves to each other and getting signatures from our classmates. Afterwards, we spent some time working on doing a self assessment from the activities. We had the students write 3-4 sentences on how well they followed directions in the activity. On Thursday and Friday, we spent our time working on the H&F hieroglyphics. Afterwards, we filled out our expectations handout that was to be taken home and signed by their parents or guardians.

Basic Information about Health & Fitness

I just wanted to post a few facts about Health & Fitness.

Activities in Health & Fitness:
We will be working on a variety of activities during Health & Fitness. Each activity is created using the California Physical Education Standards. If you would like to see the state physical education standards please visit: http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/pn/fd/documents/pestandards.pdf

Junior Academy Grading (Sixth to Eighth grade)
60% for participation
25% for assessments (Quizzes, Tests and other Assessments)
15% for classwork

Elementary Academy Grading (First grade to Fifth Grade)
60% for participation
40% for classwork

Attire:
Please dress for movement for Health & Fitness. This included wearing both proper shoes for movement and proper clothes for movement.

Excused Notes:
Parents notes are good for one day (and only one day) if a student cannot participate in class.
Doctors notes are needed for periods longer than one day. If a doctor's note is necessary, we would like to know if the doctor will allow us to modify the activity so the student can participate at least a little.

Bad Weather Days:
From time to time we do experience bad weather days. The Health & Fitness teachers are constantly checking the weather channels and also for any air quality issues that might cause a change in our activities. Bad weather can cause us to either change our activity for the day or may cause us to go inside to complete a lesson. If you have any questions, please ask.

Welcome & Introduction

Welcome to Mr. Bassett's blog.

This year I will be updating the blog with current events happening in my Health & Fitness Classes. Please keep checking back to see what we've been up to.

A little about myself:
My name is Mr. Bassett and I have been teaching at San Jose Edison Academy for six years, this year will be my seventh. I received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Kinesiology (study of human movement) from Cal Poly Pomona in 2000. I also completed my single subject teaching credential in physical education in 2001.

If you have any questions, please email me via the school web site (www.sanjose-edison.com) or give me a call.