Fun, Physical Activities to Grow Young Minds!

Funded Sep 14, 2016

I am writing to thank you for your contribution to my project, which has had a great impact on my students' learning and physical development. Upon arrival of the P.E. equipment, my students were very excited, wanting me to open the boxes right away! They were in awe of every package we opened and couldn't wait to start using the equipment. My students have been utilizing the equipment daily, since the day it all arrived.

Every day during recess students have an opportunity to use the equipment. Students have been grouped and are assigned to an area, which rotates daily, to give students the opportunity to use the different equipment. For example, a student can rotate through the week from using the parachute on Monday, to using the beanbags for hopscotch on Tuesday, Wednesday they get to use the bouncy balls, Thursday they can use the stepping stones and Friday they can use the tricycles. On a daily basis, not just my students, but also the other kindergarten class gets to enjoy the equipment you have helped me acquire. It has been a joy to see my students be so excited to use the equipment. I have seen them collaborating and problem solving when using the parachute and the stepping stones. I heard students discussing how they were going to build the pathway of stepping stones, making sure they followed the sequence but also making it more challenging, not just a straight path. This is where authentic learning and fun takes place!

Moreover, students are also excited about P.E. in the afternoon, because they get to use more of the new equipment. During P.E., students also rotate through groups; one group uses the comet balls, another uses the hula-hoops, the other uses the parachute and one group works with me on gross motor movements. Students work with a partner to toss and catch a comet ball. These balls have been the best to instill self confidence in students who were "afraid" of catching a ball. These balls are non-menacing and easy to catch, even if it is by the comet tail. They look so beautiful flying through the air. Students also enjoy working with the hula-hoops. Although initially challenging, students are making progress and will use their arms and neck if they can't use their mid-section to spin it. The parachute elicits cheers as students work their upper body strength, sending bean bags up into the air or challenge themselves to keep the bean bags in the parachute as they shake it up and down. After a P.E. lesson, some students expressed that they were tired. I take this as an indicator that it was a good session, one that engaged, challenged and strengthened students in their physical development.

I look forward to seeing my students continue to grow physically and developmentally, as they work collaboratively with the equipment that you helped purchase.”

With gratitude,

Teacher King