Maple Lake Elementary PE is on Twitter!

Interested in what is going on in PE class?  Follow MLE PE on twitter!!

@MLE_PE

This is one way I will try to share updates, important events, and the day to day activities of PE class. 

Summer is winding down...

Summer is coming to a close and we are all getting prepared for the upcoming school year.  At my house the list of things we need to do before school starts is loooooooong....  But some of the list includes:

• Haircuts
• New shoes
• School supplies
• Earlier bedtime :)
• Read before bed
• and the list goes on...

However, I think it is time to add one more thing to that list.  Check out this fitness calendar that provides a short workout or challenge on each day of the month of August.  I think it would be a great way to engage the muscles and brain to ensure for a great first day, week, and month of school.

http://www.ssww.com/blog/august-printable-fitness-challenge-calendar/

I am looking forward to seeing you all back at school!

Track and Field Day!!!

Track and Field day is tomorrow!!  This is a much anticipated day for a number of different reasons.  The Kindergarten group will kick off the track events by running of the 50 meter dash at approximately 8:30 a.m.  From there, we will see our primary grades participate in the 400, 200, and 100 meter dash.  The intermediate grades will begin the day at the field events.  Prior to lunch the primary grades will culminate their track events by running the 4 x 100 meter relay.

After lunch the groups will simply switch, the intermediate grades will be on the track and the primary grades at the field events.  More precise schedules will be posted on the concession stand.

Here are a few other reminders about the day...

***It is going to be HOT!!***  Please be sure to drink plenty of water.

1.  Water bottles are acceptable and should have a name on them.
2.  Wear your sunscreen!
3.   Be sure to wear your class color.

• Kindergarten--Purple
• First Grade--Yellow
• Second Grade--Blue
• Third Grade--Orange
• Fourth Grade--Red
• Fifth Grade--Green
• Sixth Grade--Tie dye

4.  Students will be eating lunch in there classrooms to provide some time for them out of the sun.  Parents are invited to join their child in the classroom if they would like to.

 5.  I have made an effort to talk about the competitive side of track and field day.  I enjoy the competitive nature of the day as long as we keep things in perspective and recognize a few things.
        a.  The competition helps us put forth our best effort.
        b.  We compete with others not against them.
        c.  The results of track and field day do not define any of our students. 

6.  The value of this day is far greater than the races being run.  Lessons in perseverance, integrity, respect, and responsibility take precedence over the race, results, and ribbons.  

Here is a sneak peek of the field events...

Nutrition!

I was recently contacted by Kennedy Haney, a Maple Lake graduate,who is currently in college studying to be a Registered Dietician (RD).  Miss Haney has was kind enough to put together a newsletter about the importance of nutrition and how we can start to make healthy changes with what we eat.  

Enjoy!

National Nutrition Month, a Month Late!

An “RD to be’s” suggestions…

Although we’re a month late, National Nutrition Month can be converted into any month we’d like it to be… it should be every month, in my opinion! This year’s theme is “Go Further with Food.” This month we’re promoting a healthy, waste-less lifestyle, highlighting that food decisions make an impact on our overall health and the generations to come.

This month I challenge you and your family to take your nutrition into your own hands, we all own the power to make small changes over time that will improve our health now and in the future. If you’re feeling especially ambitious, try some of my below tips to be active in your own and other’s nutrition:

• Volunteer at your local food-shelf (Waverly, MN), the WCCA in town (Maple Lake, MN) is always looking for volunteers and they’ll work around your schedule. Ask for Alivia Boddie.
• Plan your weekly meals in advance to help cut costs of unnecessary foods in your cart, this will save you time as well.
• Meal prep, this helps deplete the urge to snack and eat junk foods.
• Buy your produce from the Farmer’s Market, this benefits you and your local farmers. Plus, they really appreciate it, trust me.
• Increase the colors on your plate. Each week try a new fruit or vegetable. Mango’s are hot in season right now and so good!
• Include healthy fats into every meal; eggs, avocados, nuts, fish, chia seeds, full fat yogurts and whole milk.
• Incorporate more complex carbohydrates to keep your fuller longer;
• Nuts, Seeds, and Legumes:
• Lentils
• Kidney Beans
• Chick peas (HUMMUS)
• Soy beans
• Whole Grains:
• Brown Rice
• Corn
• Wheat
• Oats – oatmeal
• Quinoa
• Fruits and Vegetables:
• ALL OF THEM
• Substitutions:
• Instead of white breads or pastas, opt for whole grain breads and pastas
• Switch rice for beans
• Educate yourself on a new nutrition hot topic each week; Macronutrients (Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins), Conventional V. Organic produce, whole foods V. meal replacements, etc.
• Increase your water consumption 1-2 gallons per day (128-256oz/day). Benefits include: clearer skin, more water leads to more toxins being flushed out of your system, maintains regularity, promotes weight loss, prevents fatigue, and SO. MUCH. MORE!

In accompaniment to my suggestions, www.eatright.org has tools, tips, and games for National Nutrition Month to help you all Go Further With Food.

Dazzling DAVE!!! National Yo-Yo Master

At the beginning of March we invited Dazzling Dave, National Yo-Yo Master to our school to teach us about the Science of Spin and Yo-Yo fun in PE classes.  Dave dazzled us with a "freestyle" and spent two days in PE teaching students how to use Yo-Yo's.  I was a blast and kids learned a lot about hand-eye coordination, perseverance, and the importance of listening and responsibility. 

Check out this link to learn more about Dazzling Dave...

https://www.youtube.com/user/dazzlingdaveyoyo

Here is a link to his website if you are interested in purchasing a Yo-Yo as a gift for your son or daughter..

http://www.dazzlingdave.com/

Not to mention a couple of pictures of his time here at Maple Lake Elementary!!

Team Building

We are currently in the heart of our team building unit.  Team building provides an awesome opportunity to talk about teamwork, communication, problem solving, positive encouragement/energy, and the importance of process over outcome. 

The intermediate grades are taking on challenges like...

• Ants on a log
• Pass it on
• The ball challenge
• Minefield
• Survival Island

The primary grades are attempting other challenges like....

• The numbers game
• Human Alphabet
• Team memory 
• Parachute activities

Here are few pics to check out!

Stay warm, Stay active!

Morning Movers

Since 2010, Maple Lake Elementary has been out walking around the playground from 7:45 - 8:00 a.m.  It is a program designed to provide more movement opportunities for students throughout the school day.  It has been a simple, yet effective initiative.

The rules are...

1.  Walk or Jog.
2.  On the path.
3.  Without touching others.

The benefits are numerous...
1.  Jumpstart the brain and body for the day ahead.
2.  Great way to connect our older students with our younger students and create a sense of pride and belonging.
3.  Students are who are active tend to have more focus following activity.

And the list could go on.

That said here is a short You Tube video of what it looks like...

Now the sun rise is not always this spectacular, but it is nice benefit on a cold day...

Please dress for the weather, it is getting cold outside.  Morning Movers will take place outside unless it is raining or below zero!  

Have a great week!!