Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019

We have continued to work on skills related to basketball such as dribbling, passing and shooting.

This coming week, grade 4 students have the opportunity to participate in gym activities during our soft morning entry time (7:55-8:10 am).

Our inline skating residency will begin in the middle of November and more information will be posted on next week's blog.

Building core stability by working on our planks with a partner:

Practicing proper throwing technique:

Gaga ball and basketball during soft entry time:

Friday, Oct. 18, 2019

We started our basketball unit this week. Students in grade 1 are focusing on hand-eye coordination by throwing, bouncing and catching a variety of objects (e.g. different sizes of balls like tennis balls and basketballs). Students in grades 2-5 were introduced to proper technique for shooting a basket.

Each gym class we spend a few minutes on exercises which build core strength. Core strength is important for balance and stability and it helps athletes optimize power in their arm and leg muscles. Students in grades 2-5 have been learning how to plank and perform a “super kid.” Grade 1 students will be introduced to these skills next week.  

*Gym classes will be held outside on Monday due to the election. As always, please make sure your child is dressed for the weather.

Update on gym intramurals:

Grade 1- Any student who indicated they want to participate in gym intramurals at lunch time has been placed in a session. If your child is in the October session, a note with the exact dates was sent home this week. If your child is in a later session, an information letter will be sent home closer to that time. Please contact me (lcbain@cbe.ab.ca) or your child’s teacher if you have questions.

Grade 2- I’ve collected the names of students who are interested in participating and will make a schedule over the weekend. Students will be informed about their session time next week.

Grade 3/4/5- Students were asked to think about their top 2 gym intramural choices. This information will be collected next week and a schedule will be prepared.

Ask Me About:

Grade 1- Builders and bulldozers game

Grades 2-5- Show a plank, a “super kid” and how to hold the ball when shooting a basket.

Monday, Oct. 14, 2019

The following information about intramurals was sent out with School Messenger this week. If you did not receive this communication, please check your junk email first and then contact the office.

Dear parents/guardians,

Please see below for a variety of both intramural and soft entry activities offered to promote physical fitness, fun and skill development:

Intramurals:
Gym clubs (Intramurals) will begin running the week of Oct. 15. The majority of sessions will be offered during the lunch recess times unless otherwise indicated. Intramurals are an optional activity meant to promote both fitness and skill development. If your child is interested, please talk with them about what their top 2 choices would be.  The grade groups will be organized as follows:

Grades 1/2	Varied Activities (e.g., basketball, floor hockey, soccer, parachute, tag and large group games)
Grades 3/4/5	Choice Activities (sport specific)

In order to provide opportunities for over 450 students in grades 1-5, each intramural will run for 4 days. Every student will have the opportunity to participate in at least one gym intramural. If there are additional spaces, students may then select a second intramural.

If your child goes home for lunch and would like to participate in intramurals please adjust your pick up and drop off schedule accordingly. Or, students can pay the drop-in fee for lunchroom and stay at the school to eat on those days.

Please note that slight adjustments may be made to dates, or the type of intramurals offered based on student response and interest.  The chart below is based on our preliminary planning and will give you information to discuss with your child:

Grade	Month	Activity
One	October, December, April (month will be assigned by teacher in charge)	Varied Activities
Two	October, January, April (month will be assigned by teacher in charge)	Varied Activities
Three	November, January, May	November – Varied Activities January – Floor Hockey May – Net Games
Four	November, February, May	November – Varied Activities/Basketball February – Floor Hockey May - Badminton
Five	November, February, May	November – Varied Activities/Basketball February – Floor Hockey May - Badminton

Morning Soft Entry:
Gym activities are now being offered during the soft morning entry time (7:55-8:10 am). Students will continue to enter through the side doors of the school and proceed to their classrooms to put on their indoor shoes and organize their materials (e.g., put backpacks away, take out home folders, etc.) When it is their turn, students may choose to come down to the gym during the soft entry time. They also still have the option of remaining in their classroom and continuing their regular morning routines.   The purpose of this time is to explore a variety of equipment, interact with peers and engage in physical activity.

Schedule for soft entry gym times – September to December Schedule:
Grade 5 Oct. 7-18
Grade 4 Oct. 21- Nov.1
Grade 3 Nov. 4-15
Grade 2 Nov. 18-29
Grade 1 Dec. 2-13

Updates to club and soft entry schedules and opportunities in the new year will be shared as they are planned and organized. 


 Sincerely,

Ms. Bain

PE Teacher