HOSSACK’s HOUSE

In PE we having been concentrating our efforts on developing a new sport.  The Grade 3,s,4s, and 5’s have been throwing their bodies around the mat room preparing their moves for some Urban Free Running.  Basically Parkour is running from point A to point B as creatively as possible.  They climb, jump run leap and roll until they get where they want to.

Since we have had the mat room kids have been learning to roll, jump and land, use the trampoline and flip even.  It is  a lot of fun and hopefully the students are learning how to control their bodies.  Here is a video of some of the 1st classes.

Just a few pictures from the throwing and catching unit

It all started late last year.  First the Rope structure was taken down and then the playground equipment beside it on the Upper Elementary playground vanished and now the PreK and K playground equipment went missing two weeks ago.  The students are getting worried that pretty soon they will have no playground equipment left and they won’t know what to do at recess.

Please do not worry,  things on the playground are starting to look much better.  There are many teachers, administrators and support staff that are working hard to revamp and revitalize the playground. The planning stages of revamping the old and tired playground are well under way.  We are working on getting all the old equipment refurbished so it is like new and we are also developing a plan so that the playground becomes a place where all children can find something to do.

Ideas are what we need.  Some Grade 4’s have written letters and the grade 5’s have been discussing ideas in P.E., but there is a wealth of experience and knowledge out there in our community and across the world.  Students this would be a great opportunity for you to talk to your parents and see what they did at recess. I would love for people to comment on the following questions  (Understand also that we do have a limited budget and space).

1.  What games, equipment and/or things did you or do you do at recess that are fun?

2.  What would your ideal, dream playground have on it?

Thank you I look forward to seeing the great responses.

The cheering could be heard all over the Pudong Campus on Wednesday,Thursday and Friday last week.  Grades 3,4 and 5 had their fall Soccer Day.  All seem to have a great day and many important lessons were learned by participating in this activity.

It is difficult as a teacher to actually assess the importance of these days and what the students get out of them, so I thought I would leave it up to the students to tell us what they take from this experience the movie below is a snap shot of what a few students think.

The buzz is all around the school. All  grades 3, 4 and 5 classes will have their Soccer days next week.  This is an twice yearly event that takes place on the Pudong campus.  The classes will participate in 6 soccer games against visiting schools.  This has been a great day for all involved in past years.  Please come and cheer on your child’s class.

Dates for Soccer Day

Grade 3 Tuesday September 22, 2009  10:00 to 1:30

Grade 4  Wednesday September 23, 2009 10:00 to 1:30

Grade 5 Thursday September 24,2009 10:00 to 1:30

Schedules and Information Links(Click on the image to see the information)

We have been working away at jumping and landing and have been trying to progress to triple jump.  This is a tough concept, but through practice and hard work many students in grade 3 and 4 are now getting it.  Here is a short video of some of the jumping we have been doing to help us gain this concept.

With the Grade 5’s classes we have been working on the throwing and catching of large balls.  This complex skill is difficult to master and in general most of the students needed some revision.  They are now starting to get it.  The Grade 5’s have been working on keeping their eye focus on the ball, having their hands ready and communicating when working together.  In throwing they have been introduced to throwing a rugby ball and now have moved on to throwing a round ball using bounce passes, baseball passes and chest passes.    It has been a long process but they are starting to become much better at the basics of throwing and catching.

We have focused on two new sports to most grade 5’s, Touch Rugby and Handball.  Introducing two unique sports to our students have made them start to think about what strategies and techniques work in different games.  They have learned “a give and go” and are starting to get the idea of running onto a pass.  Well done Grade 5’s.

Before we move on to Soccer we will play a small tournament of Handball.  Here are some more photos of the students in the Throwing and Catching unit.

Just a quick photo of the Grade 5’s from 5KP practicing their shots.  What a fantastic leap and awesome form.  Great Job!

For the last 4 years I have been teaching Grade 5 at SAS and on occasion I have been able to sneak into my lessons some PE

Last year the time had come for me to change from a classroom teacher to a PE teacher.  I was excited and really wondered if I would be able to remember all of my training and past experience.  I have really enjoyed the last two weeks in PE with the exception of last,Wednesday when I developed a small problem with a Kidney stone, though I think that is over now.

Working in the PE department are some terrific teachers.  Mr. Thornbury and Mr. Pang and myself will work together to provide your children with an active, educational time that they will remember and want to come back for more.  Please help us by talking to your children about what they are doing in class and encouraging them to do more then to just look at a video screen (though Wii fit  does have some potential)

It is now the second week of school and we have had a very hot but fun time with the grade 3’s, 4’s and 5’s.  We are doing some Jumping and Running with the grade 3’s and 4’s.  The grade 5’s are doing some throwing and catching.  Later on we might try some Touch Rugby and some Handball.

Next up is some Soccer and footwork so we are ready for the various soccer days which come up in Septemeber.

I’ll post some videos and pictures of the students doing some lessons but thought I get a starting post up right now.

Please remember that all students need to bring a water bottle, proper shoes and clothing for these lessons.

The 3 Expectations in PE for all students are

• Students will work hard and leave class sweating
• Students will listen carefully and follow instructions
• Students will be positive and try their best at all activities in PE