- South Grafton Elementary School
- NGES/SGES P.E. Webpage
Welcome to P.E. with Mrs. Largesse!
-
Please be sure to send your child with sneakers and a water bottle on his/her P.E. day! If they wear boots in the morning, they must bring sneakers to change into! Thank you!
NGES/SGES PE Photos
What's Happening in P.E.!
-
What's Happening in PE - January/February/March 2020
Posted by Robin Largesse on 3/1/2020It's been a busy winter in PE so far! We've enjoyed time both inside and outside of the gym, since the weather has been very nice many days!
In January, we learned all about fitness and yoga. Students learned about the importance of getting their hearts beating hard and learned many fun exercises, including burpees, squat jumps, and inchworms. Then, they calmed and stretched their bodies with Yoga. All students learned and practiced deep, calm breathing. Kindergarten students learned Sun Salutations, and first graders learned several new yoga balance poses.
Next, we began to learn about the Winter Olympics. We learned about the history and traditions that make the Winter Olympics unique, and we saw some videos to preview the 2022 Olympics in China. They participated in an Olympic Torch Relay and 6 different Olympic-style events, including Bobsled, Cross-Country Skiing, Speed Skating, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, and Downhill Skiing!
Thank you to families who joined us for our Specialists' Night! The students and I enjoyed showing you what we do in P.E., and we hope you had fun at our Olympics stations as well!
After February break, we learned to jump rope. Students became "super jumpers" as they learned to jump several times in a row over a single rope they turned by themselves and also a long rope turned by others. It took patience and persistence, but they did a great job!
Now in March, we are learning about throwing and catching. We learned about underhand throws and practiced throwing and catching a variety of objects, such as beanbags, beach balls, playground balls, and even stuffed animals. Students reviewed how to dribble a basketball, and soon they will learn to throw a frisbee and to catch it with "alligator hands" or "lobster hands."
-
What's Happening in PE : Fall-Winter 2019
Posted by Robin Largesse on 11/15/2019OFF TO A GOOD START!
The students are off to a wonderful start in Physical Education this school year! I have enjoyed meeting them as they have come down to the gym to experience their first P.E. classes. They are so eager to move, play, and learn, and that’s what P.E. is all about! Read on to see what we have been up to so far this year.
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER
In September and October, the students learned the routines of the gym and playground. They learned to use equipment safely inside the gym and outside at recess, and have played many different kinds of Tag. They have learned about healthy foods and why it’s important to eat them every day. They’ve also practiced locomotor movement skills and games, and learned about how to move their bodies safely in space. Students learned their first parachute tricks and practiced cooperating to make the parachute do what they wanted it to do. Students set their Hopes and Dreams for their year in PE and are working towards achieving their goals.
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
In November, students enjoyed learning a new game for Thanksgiving, “Turkeys and Farmers”, which involved Farmers trying to catch Turkeys and Turkeys trying to rescue each other from the “dinner plate.” It was a great way to get exercise and to practice working together as a team! In December, we learned about indoor recess choices, so the student know how to get exercise safely on days when they have indoor recess in the gym. Some classes began learning jump rope, and students enjoyed our Winter Wonderland snowy stations right before the break!***Please remember to send sneakers for your child to change into on their PE day!
***Volunteers needed! Snowshoe hikes will be happening again this winter and Field Day is coming up this Spring. Please complete your CORI check now so that you can be all set to help out! Thanks in advance!
-
The News from PE - May
Posted by Robin Largesse on 5/2/2019Kindergarten and First Grade students enjoyed learning how to jump rope! They were so proud of their progress!
We also learned how to play kickball. The students learned about kicking and fielding, and played several innings of a kickball game. Everyone practiced cheering for their teammates and doing a high-five line with the other team at the end of the game to show good sportsmanship.
We are getting excited and ready for our Field Day! Students have been getting a sneak preview of each of the 6 stations, so they know what to expect on the special day. Stations this year will be: Relays, Ninja Gym Obstacle Course, Teamwork Challenges, Parachute Games, Tag Games, and 4 Goal Soccer. Students are practicing their teamwork and cooperation skills and getting excited to cheer each other on. We can't wait!
-
The News from PE - April
Posted by Robin Largesse on 5/2/2019Snowshoe Adventures!
Thanks to the late winter snowfall, all students were able to enjoy a snowshoe hike around the schoolyard (SGES) and on the Nature Trail (NGES)! Students did a wonderful job exploring the snow in their snowshoes, and were amazed by how much exercise their legs got on our trek! Thank you to all of the parent volunteers who came to help us with the snowshoeing – we couldn’t have done it without you!
Dancing and Tagging!
In March, we have been working on dance. Students learned to dance to several different kinds of music. They danced with scarves and shared their creative moves. They learned a partner dance, and were surprised by how much exercise they got while dancing! We got together with Mrs. Casperaites’ music class, and learned folk dances from Russia (Kindergarten) and France (1st Grade). They also enjoyed a fun St. Patrick’s Day tag game, Leprechauns and Kids! Next, we will learn how to jump rope. Students will learn single rope and long rope. Then, for the rest of April and May, we’ll be learning and practicing skills for Field Day, an exciting day of outdoor games and teamwork challenges.
-
The News from PE - March
Posted by Robin Largesse on 5/2/2019Throwing and Catching!
In February, students learned about throwing and catching. We learned about overhand and underhand throws, and practiced throwing and catching a variety of objects, such as beanbags, beach balls, playground balls, and basketballs. Students learned to dribble a basketball, shoot a basket, and bounce pass with a partner. They learned to throw overhand and underhand at various targets. First grade classes enjoyed a game a Fitness Dodgeball to practice their throwing skills, and Kindergarten classes enjoyed a heart healthy Valentine’s tag game!
In March, we are hoping to go snowshoeing if the weather cooperates! We will also explore elements of dance and balance. We’ll learn some new group games, too!
Thank you to families who joined us for our Specialists' Night! The students and I enjoyed showing you what we do in P.E., and we hope you had fun at our Fitness and Yoga stations as well.
-
The News from PE - February
Posted by Robin Largesse on 5/2/2019Fitness and Yoga!
We have begun a unit on fitness, yoga, and dance. Students began with learning how to rotate through a “Fitness Circuit,” and they got their heartbeats up by doing many fun exercises, including burpees, squat jumps, and inchworms. Then, they calmed and stretched their bodies with Yoga. All students learned and practiced deep, calm breathing. Kindergarten students learned Sun Salutations, and first graders learned several new yoga poses. Next, we’ll explore elements of dance and balance. Students will learn dances to different types of music, and will work on balancing on different bases of support.
-
Join us for Specialists' Night!
Posted by Robin Largesse on 1/24/2019Come and check out what your child is up to in Art, Music and PE! Wear your active gear, because you'll be able to participate with your child in several different fun stations when you come to visit the gym! We hope to see you there!
Specialists' Night at NGES: Tuesday, February 5th, 5-6pm Kindergarten, 6-7pm 1st Graders
Specialists' Night at SGES: Thursday, February 7th, 5-6pm Kindergarten, 6-7pm 1st Graders
-
The News from PE - January 2019
Posted by Robin Largesse on 1/24/2019December fun: soccer and winter wonderland
In December, Students enjoyed our Soccer unit. They spent several weeks both inside and outside, learning how to dribble, pass, and shoot a soccer ball. They learned about the importance of working together with their teammates, kicking with the inside of their foot, and not using their hands. We culminated the unit with a small-sided scrimmage, as well as an exciting soccer game called “4 Goal Crazy Soccer.” I was so impressed with the students’ growth in soccer skills and teamwork!
In the week before the December break, the gym was transformed into a Winter Wonderland. We warmed up for class with an exercise dance to Bing Crosby’s “Winter Wonderland,” and then students rotated to 7 fun wintery stations: Snowman Bowling, Jingle Bell Basketball, Snowball Toss, Ice Skating, Penguin Sliding, Hockey Snowman Shootout, and, new this year: Olaf and Sven Catching Contest! The students had a blast using different movement and manipulative skills to play at each station!
In January and February, we are working on several kinds of throwing and catching, using basketballs, frisbees, beanbags, and more. We will be reviewing our healthy food groups and learning some fitness and yoga exercises, too!
-
The News from PE - Nov/Dec 2018
Posted by Robin Largesse on 11/29/2018THANK YOU, Ms. Malone and Ms. Coakley!
I want to extend a huge THANK YOU to Ms. Malone and Ms. Coakley, who made sure the students had an excellent start to the school year while I was on my maternity leave. Over the past few months, the students have been learning the routines of the gym and playground. They have learned to use equipment safely and have played many different kinds of tag. They have learned about healthy foods and why it’s important to eat them every day. They’ve also practiced locomotor movements and games and learned about how to move their bodies safely in space.
I had a wonderful time at home caring for my first baby, Carl. Now I am very glad to be back with the students in the gym! It will be a busy and fun rest of the year in PE!
Monthly Movement Calendar
The students and I will be continuing to talk about ways that they can be healthy during P.E. class and also outside of P.E. class. I will encourage kids and families to be active and healthy is by including a Movement Calendar on the back of each month’s newsletter. Please complete as many of the activities as possible with your child and color in each square that you complete. Students may bring the completed calendars back at the end of the month to receive a small prize. Thank you for your support of healthy habits at home!
November and December in the Gym
To finish up November, the students enjoyed a Thanksgiving game, “Turkeys and Farmers”, which involved Farmers trying to catch Turkeys and Turkeys trying to rescue each other from the “dinner plate.” It was a great way to get exercise and practice working together as a team!
Coming up in December, we will enjoy several weeks of Soccer before the snow flies! Students will be learning how to dribble, pass, and shoot a soccer ball. They will learn about the importance of working together with their teammates, kicking with the inside of their foot, and not using their hands. We will learn to play a soccer game also.
Parent Volunteers…Get Ready!
We had several wonderful opportunities for parents to volunteer last year, including helping with snowshoe hikes and Field Day. It was great to have so much parent support! This is a reminder that every volunteer MUST have a current CORI check on file with the school district. It can sometimes take a few weeks to come through, so the sooner you are able to complete the form, the better! Please see Central Office for assistance, and I’ll be in touch soon when there are opportunities to volunteer. Thanks in advance!