Why Children Need Physical Education
Physical education is an integral part of the total education of every child in Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Quality physical education programs are needed to increase the physical competence, health-related fitness, self-responsibility and enjoyment of physical activity for all students so that they can be physically active for a lifetime. Physical education programs can only provide these benefits if they are well-planned and well-implemented.
Improved Physical Fitness
Improves children’s muscular strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, body composition and cardiovascular endurance.
Develops motor skills, which allow for safe, successful and satisfying participation in physical activities.
Regular, Healthful Physical Activity
Provides a wide-range of developmentally appropriate activities for all children.
Support of Other Subject Areas
Reinforces knowledge learned across the curriculum.Serves as a lab for application of content in science, math and social studies.
Facilitates development of student responsibility for health and fitness.
Quality physical education can influence moral development. Students have the opportunity to assume leadership, cooperate with others; question actions and regulations and accept responsibility for their own behavior.
Physical activity becomes an outlet for releasing tension and anxiety, and facilitates emotional stability and resilience.
Strengthened Peer Relationships
Physical education can be a major force in helping children socialize with others successfully and provides opportunities to learn positive people skills. Especially during late childhood and adolescence, being able to participate in dances, games and sports is an important part of peer culture.
Improved Self-confidence and Self-esteem
Physical education instills a stronger sense of self-worth in children based on their mastery of skills and concepts in physical activity. They can become more confident, assertive, independent and self-controlled.
Experience Setting Goals
Gives children the opportunity to set and strive for personal, achievable goals.
Our ducklings hatched last week, and on Saturday, it was clear that Momma Duck and her 12 ducklings were ready to get to some water and make their start in the wild. Last year, I understand that the move to the river was done by trying to herd the ducklings as they followed momma duck. There was an adventure getting all of the ducklings to the water last year, and this year, Mr. Thompson and the Traylor crew planned ahead with a pet carrier.
Teachers and staff helped to corral the ducklings, put them in the carrier, and encourage Momma Duck to follow us. Throughout the journey to the park, Momma duck went on adventures on neighbors’ roofs and in their yards. We even took a few ducklings out of the cage to encourage Momma Duck to follow us more closely. When we got to Dartmouth, we even had the help of a local police officer to help us cross the ducklings and Momma Duck safely. As soon as we arrived at the river, Poppa Duck was there to greet Momma Duck, and the ducklings took to water immediately. What an adventure – way to go Traylor! We are now looking forward to our Momma Duck’s return next Spring, as well!
5th Grade Olympic Training Center Visit
2012 is an Olympic year and in April the 5th grade classes went on a field trip to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The classes were excited to travel on the chartered busses that were funded by P.E. Rocks fundraising and TABS.
Students were able to earn gold medals for answering questions correctly as they toured the training center.
Students we able to meet Kamarudeen (Marty) Usman US Olympic Wrestling hopeful while visiting the training center as part of the 5th grade field trip. Marty helped lead a group of students around the Olympic Training facility.
Traylor 5th graders were able to see the state of the art equipment that is used by the Olympic hopefuls for training and rehabilitation.
Special thanks to everyone that helped make this trip possible, what great way to prepare for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Spicy/ Silent Auction
The hallways of Traylor were filled with great food, art work, and music while shoppers were busy bidding on items for the silent auction. We had a great turn out for Sweet and Spicy night, and many families walked away from the silent auction with some great items.
Thank You Traylor families for helping make the night a success.
Mile High Teacher
Students at Traylor were treated with a surprise guest around Easter while playing out on the Playground.
Second Grade’s Community Project
Students from the second grade’s were out in the community cleaning up our nearby creek and park.
Chick-fil-A Spirit Night Update
Thanks to all of the families, staff members and friends that attended the Chick-fil-A Spirit Night in February. We had a great turn out and as a community earned $165 for Traylor. Keep an eye out for another evening that will be coming soon.
Students at Traylor have been focusing on gymnastics in P.E. and on the evening of the gymnastics event students rotated from station to station demonstrating the skills they have learned. As each student completed an event they received a check mark on their event sheet and after completing all of the events they received an award for their participation.
Thanks Mr. Lucero & Ms. Nelson for working with the students and setting up the event so students could showcase their talent to the Traylor community.
Traylor 5th grade Testing E Reader Technology
Here at Traylor Academy, we are always searching for ways to improve the educational experience of our students. That is why, back in the beginning of the school year, the fifth grade wrote a grant to bring these 21st century devices into the classrooms. The grant was approved and we just began using them in small reading groups. Students really seem to enjoy reading with them. In fact, it is often difficult to get them to stop and move to the next academic activity once they are engrossed in their reading.
Students began experimenting with operating their new readers. Adjusting font size, instantly looking up words they don’t know, making annotations in the margins, and many other functions that are made easier in the digital format. After watching students take to this technology, it’s easy to see why they are the often referred to as “Digital Natives.” They instinctively know how to use these readers and are often showing the teachers new functions.
Our plan is to monitor student reading motivation. If the first weeks are indicative, then we are off to a great start. We’ll keep you posted and plan to draft a report of our findings toward the end of the school year. There are a few things we must adjust to while using these devices, but once we get the hang of it, it should positively impact student achievements.
Once publishers begin producing interactive student text books in the epub format, kids won’t need to lug heavy text-ladened backpacks around anymore. Perhaps this will give them the incentive to Altus Tendo—I Reach Higher.
Eric Kyvik, Ed.S.
Traylor Academy 5th Grade Teacher