Week 8 (October 8-12)

First Grade
This week the first graders are working on paddles. They are working on manipulation skills using the paddles and also for striking skills for the equipment. Students were taught about the basic safety while using the paddles (no hitting people, no hitting rocks/poles/trees/etc., stay in our area and personal space is necessary). The students have been given tasks in hitting the ball up, hitting the ball to the ground and also some balancing activities. For fitness time we worked on Shadow tag and the students got their heart rates up (cardiovascular endurance). We also spent some time working on leg lifts to help develop abdominal (stomach) strength.

Third Grade
This week the first graders are working on paddles. They are working on manipulation skills using the paddles and also for striking skills for the equipment. Students were taught about the basic safety while using the paddles (no hitting people, no hitting rocks/poles/trees/etc., stay in our area and personal space is necessary). The students have been given tasks in hitting the ball up, hitting the ball to the ground and also some balancing activities. For fitness time we worked on Shadow tag and the students got their heart rates up (cardiovascular endurance). We also spent some time working on leg lifts to help develop abdominal (stomach) strength.

We also have continued to spend time working on the major muscle groups of the human body. We spend time every class period learning the muscles. We have worked on learning biceps, triceps, deltoids, pectoralis major, rectus abdominus, obliques, latissimus dorsi, quadriceps, hamstrings, gleuteus maximus, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and the soleus.

Fifth Grade
This week started with the students learning a new fitness test for the FitnessGram. We showed the students the FitnessGram DVD and specifically showed them the video for the curl up test. We taught the students the proper form (knees bent at 140 degrees, head on the ground, heals have to be touching the ground and the hands are straight and at the side). The DVD allowed the students the opportunity to see the test being performed. Afterwards, some of the students took the test whereas the rest will take the test later in the week.

The lesson objective was to teach the students about the forearm pass for volleyball. Students were given safety instructions about staying in their personal space, not using the equipment to hit other people with and to stay inside of our boundaries. The were then taught the basic form of the forearm pass (feet shoulder width apart/knees bent, platform flat-forearms together, eyes always focused on the ball, make contact on your forearm as opposed to wrists/elbow/hands, and do not swing from the shoulders). Students were given practice time to work on mastering the skill of the forearm pass. We also had the students start peer assessing the students. The fifth graders were given the task of watching a partner/peer hit a forearm pass and see if the person was hitting with their hands, forearm, or the elbow. The goal is to give feedback to a person who is not hitting the volleyball on the forearms.


Sixth Grade
This week started with the students learning a new fitness test for the FitnessGram. We showed the students the FitnessGram DVD and specifically showed them the video for the curl up test and also reviewed the information for the mile run test. The video reminded us that we should run at a specific pace and that it is better to walk fast than to stroll. The video taught the students the proper form for the curl ups(knees bent at 140 degrees, head on the ground, heals have to be touching the ground and the hands are straight and at the side). The DVD allowed the students the opportunity to see the test being performed. Afterwards, some of the students took the test whereas the rest will take the test later in the week. The lesson objective was to teach the students about the forearm pass for volleyball. Students were given safety instructions about staying in their personal space, not using the equipment to hit other people with and to stay inside of our boundaries. The were then taught the basic form of the forearm pass (feet shoulder width apart/knees bent, platform flat-forearms together, eyes always focused on the ball, make contact on your forearm as opposed to wrists/elbow/hands, and do not swing from the shoulders). Students were given practice time to work on mastering the skill of the forearm pass. The sixth graders were given the task of watching a partner/peer hit a forearm pass and see if the person was hitting with their hands, forearm, or the elbow. The goal is to give feedback to a person who is not hitting the volleyball on the forearms.

Next Week's Goals:
First: Animal Walks and Tumbling Skills
Third: Animal Walks, Tumbling Skills and the Tripod
Fifth: Group Stunts, Gymnastics Skills and Push Up Test
Sixth: Gymnastics Skills and Push Up Test