Mrs. Bak’s June 2013 Physical Education Newsletter
Students have been very busy in Physical Education this year. Here is a recap of the year.
Physical Education Field trip
Physical Education students in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades enjoyed their first ever Physical Education field trip to the Bulls/Sox Fitness Experience in Lisle. Students rotated between 4 stations. The Vault Exergaming station, Railyard Fitness station, Circuit training station, and Health station. Students and teachers enjoyed this fitness experience very much.
Plunge into Fitness
This was the second year for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade to participate in the Plunge into Fitness school program. Students earned a Raging Waves Waterpark day pass for participating in 25 hours of physical activity/exercise after school. 176 students earned a pass this year. I hope everyone enjoys their day at the water park this summer. To get discounted tickets up to 25% off Go direct to the Raging Waves online store, 24/7 at and enter our Store Name: StJohn25.
4th Grade PE Challenge
All students in 4th grade participated in PE Central’s PE Challenge. During January through March students worked hard to complete 6 challenges and for completing 4 out of 6 they received a Bronze pin, 5 out of 6 challenges earned students a silver pin, and those students who completed 6 out of 6 challenges received a gold pin for their effort. Students had fun while helping their classmates complete the challenges. Sixty Eight students took the challenges. Forty one students received a gold pin, ten students a silver and five students earned a bronze pin. Good job 4th graders!
Project Aces and Jammin Minute
The entire student body participated in Project Aces, which stands for All Children Exercising Simultaneously. At 10:00 AM in both September and April students exercised to music as I led them in a fitness routine over the PA. They joined students all over the world in exercise. It was a great way to get energized for the rest of the day.
Preschool
I really enjoyed working with the 3 and 4 year old Preschool this year. Once a week for 40 minutes students worked on their locomotor skills, balance, and rhythm skills through song, games and stations. Some of the students favorite equipment to use in class were hula-hoops, balls, parachute, mini-trampolines, jump ropes, riding toys, scooters, ribbon sticks, beanie babies and climbing equipment. Everyone’s motor skills improved this year.
Kindergarten
All day Kindergarten had P.E. twice a week and Half day Kindergarten had P.E. once a week this year. Some of the students favorites this year were the Bear Hunt warm-up, dancing, stations and riding toys. Students learned how to tumble, jump rope, throw, dribble, and kick a ball, cup stack, hula-hoop, play tag, and more. Favorites were riding toys, scooters and the parachute.
First and Second Grade
First and Second grade worked hard once a week on stations where they participated in at least 5 different activities that day. The other PE day was used to work on all class games and activities. Students also participated in the Fitnessgram phyical fitness testing program. They enjoyed the new cardiovascular test – The Pacer run. Second grade enjoyed learning about their muscles with the Dynomuscle program.
Third and Fourth Grade
Third and Fourth students improved their motor skills by playing Two and Four square, soccer, basketball, volleyball, jumprope, softball, Box hockey, climbing and dancing. Some favorite new games this year were Battleship, and Castle Ball. During May students participated in the Fitnessgram Fitness testing program. Students worked hard at their tests. They took the curl-up test, push-up test, back saver sit and reach, Pacer test and the trunk lift test. I also gave two more tests, the standing long jump, and the 50 yard dash to the fourth grade. 99% were at the Healthy level of fitness in all tests. Third and Fourth grade learned about a new muscle each week in the winter. Ask them about Quadriceps, Biceps, Triceps, Cardiac, Gastrocnemius,Trapezius, Pectoralis Major, Abdominals and Obliques.
Thank You
A big thank you to all the parents who helped out with testing, and to volunteer during P.E. class this year. It was great having you in class with us. I hope to see you next year.
I wish everyone a fun and active summer. Stay safe, be active at least 60 minutes everyday, wear your helmet and sunscreen and drink lots of water.
Yours in fitness,
Mrs. Bak
