PE Update for September

Hello everyone,

We're off to a great start in PE this school year.  We started our year off going over all kind of rules, steps for getting back on track and procedures.  These are all very important for success in the gymnasium.  The students and I went over their "core muscle" exercises and participated in games that are old favorites that just also happen to be included in my substitute plans.  Not that I plan on being out often but it helps to be prepared.  Plus going over these games gives the start of the year a very positive feeling.

Now that we're done with all of that we can get down to business for the school year.

Take a look below at what we've been up to!

Mrs. Lane
PS: The date on my camera is wrong:(

Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year!

Welcome back Oak Grove Students and Families,

I hope you all had a great summer balanced with just the right amount of physical activity and down time.  Being healthy is all about balance:)  I find this time of the year is a time of mixed emotions.  Some of us feel sad to say goodbye to the freedom of summer while also feeling excitement at the beginning of another chapter in our educational lives.  I truly feel that we all can learn now matter what age we are. 

Speaking of learning I'm hoping that everyone can help each other be ready for PE.  Students need to be prepared for PE by wearing safe, comfortable clothes and shoes.  I also like to add "floor friendly"  You might want to skip the fancy clothes on PE day.  Lastly students need the attitudes of "I can" and "I will" for PE.  For some PE can be a challenge physically and mentally but if we "pep talk" ourselves we might be surprised at how well "I can" and "I will" turn out.

The work we begin with in PE is the foundations for the whole year.  We'll work on setting up our routines and procedures.  When used by all it makes the gymnasium a place where we all can be successful.

Looking forward to working with you,
Mrs. Lane

PE for summer

Best wishes for a restful, happy, healthy summer break.  Keep your fitness level up by enjoying summer activities:)

See you in the fall

Mrs. Lane

PE Update for May

Spring Greetings to you all-

The month of May saw PE classes going outside to enjoy the weather.  Many of our exercise routines are bursts of cardiovascular and muscle work so going outside helps us to focus on endurance.  Endurance is an important part of a person's physical fitness.  It means that people are able to make their bodies work hard for a good period of time.  Outside provides the opportunity to move in a much bigger space.

Our endurance exercise routine is made up of completing laps around the playground field for 15 minutes.  Each time they pass the starting point they earn a stick.  The stick is meant for encouragement and a way to keep track of how many laps they complete.  Students are encouraged to work on pacing themselves but also pushing themselves a little more each time.  At the end of each exercise bout we recorded our stick numbers.  If a student "meets or beats" their stick number they would be honored by standing and being clapped for.  I believe that each student had this happen for them at least once this past month!

After completing exercise students participated in things such as frisbee skills, frisbee games and good old fashion field games.

The spring weather was cool but it made it just right for this kind of PE class.

Mrs. Lane

PE Update for March and April

Recently in the gymnasium students have been participating in an exercise routine called "BULLSEYE".  During this workout students worked in teams.  Each team sent a students to the bullseye to throw a pom-pom ball to hit the target.  Each colored ring on the target represented how many "reps" their team would have to perform.  After performing that specific exercise the team then would run 1/2 laps around the gym before repeating the pattern.  This exercise routine seemed to be a big hit!

Another hit seems to be this month's exercise routine "Obstacle Course"  Around the basketball lines in the gym are a series of muscle and heart challenges that your student is performing.  Each student was timed as a pre-test time and now we are working hard on improving.  At the end of the month students will be timed again and hopefully their post-test time beats their first!

Beach balls have been blown up and we'll be spending skill time working on volleying skills.  Which then leads to mini beach ball games this month.

Looking ahead we'll be going outside to get some exercise and enjoy the nice weather.  Please encourage your child to dress accordingly to the weather, maybe bring a hat and a water bottle.

Until next time,
Mrs. Lane

The Oak Grove School annual Family Contra Dance is this Friday, April 4, 6:30-8:30.  This event - now in its seventeenth year - is for all students, families, friends, alumni, staff and more!

Calling and playing accordion is Andy Davis, fiddle by nationally recognized  Lissa Schneckenburger, and high energy piano by Mary Cay Brass.  Come learn the dances, hear some great traditional dance music, visit with friends, classmates and neighbors and celebrate the arrival of spring!

No previous experience with traditional contra dance is required.  All dances will be taught.  All are welcome. Refreshments will benefit the Oak Grove Intergenerational Chorus.

For more information contact music teacher Andy Davis    <andy_davis@wsesu.org>

Arts Night is coming this week!

Oak Grove Arts Night

Thursday, March 27, 2014 5:15 - 6:30

Students in grades K through 6 are included in musical performances and art displays to highlight the role of the Arts at Oak Grove School. Every student is featured in this event!

5:00 - 5:15  All students and families arrive in gym.

5:15 - 5:25  4^th Grade Band, directed by Erin Villamizar

5:30 - 5:55  All school concert, directed by Mr. Davis 

Charlie Over the Ocean ............................... American folk song

Let Me Be a Light for Peace..................................... anonymous

Here Comes the Sun ....................................... George Harrison

Can’t Buy Me Love ............................... Lennon and McCartney

The Hammer Song ....................... Pete Seeger and Lee Hayes

6:00 - 6:30  All school Art Show organized by Mrs. Crafts-Allen

     Every Oak Grove student, K-6 has work displayed in the school.

6:15 - 6:30 Violin class recital in music room 

                    directed by Heather Sommerlad

What a fantastic performance by our Oak Grove Drama Club.  The Elephant's Child tells the story of a brave and curious young elephant who ventures to the dangerous Great Grey Green and Greasy Limpopo River and acquires useful knowledge with which to empower his life.

Oak Grove School Drama Club - The Elephant's Child - March 2014

OG Drama Club presents "The Elephant's Child"

Oak Grove Drama Club presents "The Elephant's Child" 
A musical based upon the story by Rudyard Kipling

Wednesday, February 26  
2:45-4:00 REHEARSAL in gym

Monday, March 3  
2:45-4:00 REHEARSAL in gym

Tuesday, March 4 (Town Meeting Day/no school) 
DRESS REHEARSAL 9:00-11:00 am in the gym

Wednesday, March 5  (NO SCHOOL SING)  
9:30 am  Performance in gym  (teachers should sign up in the office)
1:30 pm  Performance in gym  (teachers should sign up in the office)

Thursday, March 6  
6:30-7:15 pm Final evening show for parents and community

Let me know if you have any questions.  
Please invite friends and parents to any of our performances!

Andy Davis, and the Oak Grove Drama Club

PE Update for February

My how the time has flown I can't believe that we're about to start a new month.  February saw students in grades 3-6 performing a new exercise routine called The Clock and students in K-2 performing Double Line Bars.  Each exercise routine focused on using a form of weights.  The older students used 10 pounds weights while the younger students used a long bar that weighed 6 pounds.  Grades 3-6 had posters with pictures that helped guide them in performing movements to target specific muscle groups.  Grades K-2 were given many options on how to use the bar to strengthen specific muscle groups.  Both age groups also used aerobic steps for their cardiovascular heart and each age group performed some of their core exercises.

Older students spent the beginning of the month working on indoor floor hockey skills such as dribbling, passing and shooting.  They participated in a few games such as Go the distance, Dribble, Pass, Shoot and then of course a 5 vs 5 indoor game.

I didn't see younger students as often due to Winter Sports and an early release so there's no skill update for this month.

March is only a few days away and I'm hoping it comes in like a lion so it will go out like a lamb.  How about you?

Mrs. Lane

PE Update for January

Greetings,

This month we're focusing on JUMPING.  Our exercise routine is called "Jumpin' January".  Students are alternating jumping rope then performing a muscle exercise.  We are also focusing on how TIME can be a measurement of your fitness so each "jump session" increases in time until we reach mid point of our exercise routine.  Then we work backwards in jump time to the end of our exercise routine.  Students are also encouraged to "just jump" as much as they can for their fitness.  Students have three choices of rope jumping: The traditional way, place both handles in one hand to twirl and leave the rope on the ground for a variety of jump choices.  Fancy jump twirling and jumping will be practiced at another time.

Skill work this month sees us using hula hoops, scoops and wands.  We'll practice manipulative skills with all of these pieces of equipment by ourselves and then with partners.

Games this month:  Bubble Tag, Jump Tag, Knock'em down

Til next time,
Mrs. Lane