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• Kindergarten through 2nd
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Jan Abel is the Physical Education teacher. She has been teaching at St. Brigid for ten years. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Eastern Kentucky University graduating with High Distinction and also completed 24 hours toward a Master of Science degree in Physical Education with a Coaching Endorsement. After teaching and coaching for a brief time, Ms. Abel returned to school to earn a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree in Law from the University of Wyoming. After practicing law in Xenia and serving as the Executive Producer for Blue Jacket Outdoor Drama for nearly 20 years, Ms. Abel returned to teaching in 2000.
Ms. Abel said, “My career has taken some unusual twists and turns, but I am extremely happy to be teaching again. It was my first love and I am especially pleased to be back at St. Brigid, where I attended 4th through 8th grade.”
PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
Physical education is an integral part of a total education program in that it develops the body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Physical education provides learning experiences which contribute to the physical, cognitive, and affective development of each student.
Central to the program is movement education which focuses on exploration, creativity, problem solving, formation of concepts and development of fundamental non-locomotor and manipulative skills, critical to future participation in games and sports. Physical education is concerned with both the health and fitness of each student now and in the future. With childhood obesity reaching alarming levels throughout the nation, physical education is more important than ever.
Participation in physical activities contributes to the development of self-confidence, social skills, and an appreciation of God's gift of life and movement.
Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Physical Education
What days do we have PE? 1st and 2nd grade have PE on Tuesday and Wednesday in the afternoon. Kindergarten has PE on Tuesday and Thursday morning and an additional PE enrichment class on Wednesday afternoon.
What kind of shoes do we need? Shoes need to be athletic type shoes that either tie with laces or can be tightened with Velcro straps. The type of shoe that just has elastic criss-crossed up the shoe with no method of tightening the shoe around the ankle are not permitted. Skateboard shoes that have very loose shoestrings that are tucked behind the tongue of the shoe are also not permitted unless the shoe is tied tightly like a regular gym shoe.
Overview of the year
In the primary grades, the emphasis is on movement, motor skills, and basic skill development. Games that are included are of a very low level of organization and actively involve all students. Skills necessary for sports and games are introduced, but the sport in its “official” form is introduced at later levels. More than half of the physical education time allotment is spent on developmental activities with movement education comprising about one third of the class time. Fitness activities and cooperative activities account for the remaining time. The primary child should develop personal skill and confidence in physical activities.
From Kindergarten through 2nd grade there is much repetition with the goal that in kindergarten, the objectives are introduced and developed, and by second grade they are mastered. Some examples of the objectives include:
- Naming primary and secondary body parts
- Demonstrating basic body positions
- Performing basic movements smoothly and continuously
- Understanding directions (backward/forward for example)
- Maintaining balance in a variety of positions
- Performing creative movements
- Use movement to express feelings
- Creating and performing movement patterns
- Moving to a beat
- Use balls, wands, hoops, bean bags, etc. to promote coordination and dexterity
- Catching self tossed objects, and objects tossed by someone else
- Underhand tossing, then overhand throw
- Rolling balls on floor with accuracy
- Jumping over a rope, then jumping a self turned rope
- Dribbling a ball with the feet
- Kicking a ball, then passing a ball with the feet
- Bouncing a ball rhythmically
- Building stamina and strength
- Developing positive attitudes toward physical fitness
- Understanding that warm up exercises prepare the body for physical activity
- Demonstrate emotional control in activities and games
- Accept individual differences in performance of physical skills