The children practice toss-catch, rolling and throwing skills in the manipulative ball unit, then use the skills in games like "pass the garbage", "bombardment", and "poison ball".
During the flight and landing unit the children learn about jumping, hopping, and leaping. We read the book JUMP FROG JUMP then use ideas from the book to create fun ways to practice the skills. Our Gym becomes a pond with hula hoop lily pads and plants and polyspot rocks. The frogs (children) move across the pond reviewing the movement skills then other book characters are added to play a tag game while moving across the pond.
Many activities in Physical Education at UMS are designed to reinforce classroom content concepts. The kinesthetic learning approach is used to explore and tap into multiple intelligence strengths.
When we consciously integrate kinesthetic learning with classroom curriculum the benefits of each are magnified and remarkably wide ranging. Interpreting a concept through physical means helps children to grasp, internalize, and maintain abstract information.
Besides learning specific curricular content from these kinesthetic activities, children are becoming more aware of their own natural resources. They are expanding their concepts of creativity and of how they can use their own bodies. They are learning through their own creations. The combination of discipline and imagination is an invaluable foundation for creative thinking.
A REMINDER that all children need sneakers to move safely in Physical Education. Please help them by reminding them to be prepared for their P.E. days.
If you would like to observe class, or have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 878-2117.