Perseverance...

School provides students with difficult tasks on a regular basis.  Whether it is cleaning out your locker, completing the MCA test, or even drawing a self portrait in art class, students have a choice--to give up or continue to work despite the complexity of the task at hand.  Last week we completed the half mile run in kindergarten, first, and second grade as well as the mile run in third through sixth grade.  In my opinion, a challenge, like this, is one of the best ways to teach perseverance in P.E.  Very few students take the time to go run a mile on their own, making this particular activity daunting and often times creates anxiety for students.  I am happy to say, nearly all students took the challenge head on and improved their time from the fall.  Although the time is of little importance to me, it is a great way for the students to measure themselves and truly find the benefits of perseverance.  So proud of all students--Way to go!!

Jump for Heart and Springtime P.E

First of all, I need to apologize for the lack of blog entries over the last two months.  To get things back on track, I would like to the recap our Jump for Heart event that took place throughout the month of February.

Jump Rope for Heart was a massive success for the second year in a row!!

Jump for Heart is a great service learning project for students because of the message it contains.  By jumping rope and learning about the heart, several students took it upon themselves to collect donations for an incredible cause--the American Heart Association.  The American Heart Association uses Jump for Heart to spread the word about heart disease and how it can be prevented.  This February the students of Maple Lake Elementary raised over $4,000 dollars helping the AHA and their fight against heart disease!!  Thanks to all the students involved, you truly make a difference.

Springtime in P.E

Spring brings on some needed sunshine, green grass, and MUD...  Please remember to wear your gym shoes in the gym to limit the amount of dirt on the gym floor. 

It also means we start thinking about physical fitness testing.  In P.E we test students in five different areas--pull-ups, sit-ups, shuttle run, v-sit, and the mile or half mile run.  As we begin these tests I like to take time to discuss physical fitness and its importance.  According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, being physically active can increase academic achievement, reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease and obesity, and help improve academic behavior.  Although we track the results of these tests, I am constantly reminding students that the results are not defining us as people.  The effort we give throughout the test is what is really important.  I am so much less interested in the outcome of each test than I am in the process of how we got there.  Do you best, bring your positive attitude, and treat others the way that you like to be treated and tests will take care of themselves. 

Have a great spring!!