open house slideshow

Recess Fun

As you can tell, it is getting muddy. If you're prepared for recess like these future

 bridge-building architects, things can be fun!

Floor Hockey

 Grades 4-6 have been exploring different invasion games all year. Floor hockey is another way these 6th graders have practiced moving to open space, creating angles, anticipation and covering passing lanes.

They're given a full sport experience by refereeing for hockey specific rules, keeping statistics to dictate appropriate practice drills and discussions, and even running the scoreboard.

AHPERD Conference

VT AHPERD

  

      Last week I was able to attend the Vermont AHPERD (Vermont Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) conference at the Killington Grand Resort for two days. During the conference, presenters from around the world shared ideas, stories and equipment that would benefit our students. 

      I was excited to learn how to incorporate dance and music into our fitness unit with "Drums Alive" (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoXg3UqP4LANvS-ntHxVHQw). We also experienced the many fun games of Omnikin equipment (https://www.youtube.com/user/officialomnikin). I hope the kids have as much fun as we did!

Footwear

Boots to sneakers, sneakers to boots

     Just a reminder that while the warm weather is leaving us, we must still be prepared to be outside! Recess and PE are times that students are able to enjoy fresh air and explore the school grounds and learn through movement, but we also must respect our indoor space when returning from the often muddy, wet and grassy fields. 

    Students are urged to bring a few sets of footwear to school. Boots are great to have for outdoor recess so we can tromp around, but be sure to shake out as much earth from the souls of your shoes before changing back into indoor footwear. This is particularly important when our kiddos have PE, because as mud dries-out on the bottom of shoes, it tends to turn into a fine powder which makes the gymnasium floor slippery and unsafe. 

    Thank you for helping keep our kids safe and giving them the best opportunity to be fully involved in all parts of learning. If you're having trouble finding some extra boots or sneakers, email or call me and I'll do my best to find something that fits. Also- if your student has grown out of some (still wearable) sneakers or boots, we could definitely put them to use here as loaners for kids who forgot to bring theirs!

All School Hike

All School Hike

     As I'm sure you already know, this Friday, September 25, is our EMES All School Hike! Mr. Sherwin has been working super hard sending home documents, collecting paperwork and chasing down chaperones to help wrangle our kiddos up and down a mountain (or bike path). 

     PE classes have been practicing hiking skills (especially with our little ones- grades K-3) in our school path behind the playground. Students have been learning and demonstrating how to travel on the path between adults, staying on the path and away from possible hazards, strategy for ascending and descending steep sections of the mountain, and how to keep a reasonable pace and comfortable/safe space between friends on the trail. I've brought in clothing to demonstrate appropriate attire and even offered to eat some students' lunches that might not be a good choice for hike day- unfortunately there weren't any takers for the lunch eating demo!

    Please make sure that your child is prepared for the hike. Clothing, food and hydration are things that we can help with at home. If you have any question about the hike, feel free to contact me, or Michael Sherwin. Cross your fingers for some favorable weather, otherwise we'll hope for something better on Friday, October 2.

    

For your viewing pleasure, check out the circle what works paper below we do for fun with the newer hikers!

Excuse the mess while this blog is a work in progress...

The first few weeks at EMES have been wonderful. Our PreK-3 students have been spending some time learning PE and Recess safety expectations and routines. We are working on locomotor skills and preparing for our All School Hike -September 25!  Students have been involved in discussions around appropriate attire, food and water, pacing and spacing, and other trail safety using the path behind the school.

Upper school students from grade 4-6 did some review of expectations and got right to work learning invasion games. We've introduced some new twists on capture the flag with King's (or Queen's) Court. Students have also been building an activity bank which includes some tag games- a favorite has been Injured Ant Tag!

Everyone has been doing a great job remembering their sneakers and drinking plenty of water!