Are you looking for easy, affordable ways to be more physically active with your family in 2009? The Ottawa County Wellness Coalition (OCWC) has developed a Physical Activity Search Engine for Ottawa County. Available at www.GetHealthyOttawa.org, users may search by the type of physical activity they enjoy, or by Ottawa County zip code. The search engine will provide information including location where the activity takes place, description, web address (if available), contact phone number, and a map to the location.
The search engine was created to provide an easy way for people to learn about opportunities for physical activity right here in Ottawa County. The OCWC website also provides downloadable resources, walking trail maps, and information about advocating for healthier lifestyles.
The mission of OCWC is to empower Ottawa County residents to adopt healthy, sustainable lifestyles. For more information about joining a local OCWC Action Team, contact Lisa at luganski@miottawa.org.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Paddles and Badminton
At the start of 2nd semester, we began one of my other favorite activities to teach kids, badminton. The Young 5's through 2nd graders began by using foam paddles and balloons so as to become familiar with the grip and different swing motions used to make contact with the object they were to hit. Balloons work great at the lower elementary levels too because they move a lot slower and are easier for kids to track. Plus, as one Kindergartner put it, "It looks like a party in here!"
The 3rd graders begin on badminton right away, and this being my first year at Rose Park it was fun to see how much they knew! Young 5-K kids do not move on to using birdies because they are generally smaller and harder to hit, rather we use smaller foam sized balls that are easier to spot and make contact with.
Probably the best part about badminton is the tournament that we have at the end. Every day, the kids have a new doubles partner and begin a new tournament. The 1st graders do a rotation tournament. I designate one court as the Championship Court after the first game (because if I did it before the 1st game, they would all be running to be the first teams to play there!), and each game they play, they are trying to win so they can "move up" to the championship court. The 2nd and 3rd graders at Rose Park learned what a ladder tournament is. They each played on a court (the gym only has 4 courts, so some just practiced on the sides, while waiting for a court to open up). While playing their first game, I put up the pairs' names randomly on the ladder. After their game was through, they determine who the winner is, and depending on where they were on the ladder, they could move up or down. The top rung is the Champion, which is where everyone is trying to go. They would then get to challenge another team to play, so they can work their way up the ladder. The kids caught on very quickly, and really enjoyed having the freedom to choose who they wanted to play. Everyone was engaged at all times, even the kids who were waiting for a court to play on.
The 3rd graders begin on badminton right away, and this being my first year at Rose Park it was fun to see how much they knew! Young 5-K kids do not move on to using birdies because they are generally smaller and harder to hit, rather we use smaller foam sized balls that are easier to spot and make contact with.
Probably the best part about badminton is the tournament that we have at the end. Every day, the kids have a new doubles partner and begin a new tournament. The 1st graders do a rotation tournament. I designate one court as the Championship Court after the first game (because if I did it before the 1st game, they would all be running to be the first teams to play there!), and each game they play, they are trying to win so they can "move up" to the championship court. The 2nd and 3rd graders at Rose Park learned what a ladder tournament is. They each played on a court (the gym only has 4 courts, so some just practiced on the sides, while waiting for a court to open up). While playing their first game, I put up the pairs' names randomly on the ladder. After their game was through, they determine who the winner is, and depending on where they were on the ladder, they could move up or down. The top rung is the Champion, which is where everyone is trying to go. They would then get to challenge another team to play, so they can work their way up the ladder. The kids caught on very quickly, and really enjoyed having the freedom to choose who they wanted to play. Everyone was engaged at all times, even the kids who were waiting for a court to play on.
Quarter 2 PE Activities
November/December: Hand-Eye Coordination
NOVEMBER:
Young 5's -Kindergarten: Rolling
Bouncing/Catching
Dribbling
Games to practice these skills
1st-3rd Grades: Bouncing/Catching
Dribbling
Passing/Catching
Team Handball - This is a game that combines all basketball skills, but instead of using a basketball hoop to score, the players throw the ball into a soccer/hockey goal. The rules are very simple and promote a lot of teamwork.
Rose Park 1st Graders playing Team Handball.
DECEMBER:
Young 5's/Kindergarten - 3rd Grade: Striking skills using floor hockey equipment.
All the classes participated in learning some basic striking skills using hockey sticks and balls. The Young 5's and K classes did not play an organized floor hockey game, rather they played organized lead up games to practice the skills and apply them. The 1st-3rd grade classes were organized into teams, which changed daily, and were able to play floor hockey games, learning some basic rules and game strategies. This is definitely one of the favorite activities of the kids at all of our elementary schools, not to mention, one of my favorite ones to teach!
JANUARY:
After Christmas, we spend time testing on the skills learned and practiced during first semester. The kids usually love these "testing" days because we get to do a little bit of everything! Once we finish testing, we spend time just playing games, usually different types of tag games, some old and some new.
NOVEMBER:
Young 5's -Kindergarten: Rolling
Bouncing/Catching
Dribbling
Games to practice these skills
1st-3rd Grades: Bouncing/Catching
Dribbling
Passing/Catching
Team Handball - This is a game that combines all basketball skills, but instead of using a basketball hoop to score, the players throw the ball into a soccer/hockey goal. The rules are very simple and promote a lot of teamwork.
Rose Park 1st Graders playing Team Handball.
DECEMBER:
Young 5's/Kindergarten - 3rd Grade: Striking skills using floor hockey equipment.
All the classes participated in learning some basic striking skills using hockey sticks and balls. The Young 5's and K classes did not play an organized floor hockey game, rather they played organized lead up games to practice the skills and apply them. The 1st-3rd grade classes were organized into teams, which changed daily, and were able to play floor hockey games, learning some basic rules and game strategies. This is definitely one of the favorite activities of the kids at all of our elementary schools, not to mention, one of my favorite ones to teach!
JANUARY:
After Christmas, we spend time testing on the skills learned and practiced during first semester. The kids usually love these "testing" days because we get to do a little bit of everything! Once we finish testing, we spend time just playing games, usually different types of tag games, some old and some new.
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