These are programs and/or ideas that I created at my school for PE classes.

SPELL BOUND (Used around Halloween)
The object of this program is for children to gain a better understanding of the skeletal system, help them concentrate on spelling, and give them confidence in "trying their best," thus showing that it is okay to make mistakes, as well as to work as a team in order to move ahead.

I hand out the skeletal paper 3 weeks before the challenge. One week before the challenge I give a pre-challenge by giving them a word and have them try to spell it. The class is divided into 3 to 4 groups depending on your class size. I have a skeleton hanging up, and a "fun" skeleton hat for the children to wear when it's their turn. A bone will be given, and anyone from the group can volunteer to spell and point to that bone. This continues until one group is declared the "Spell Bound" champs!

I give out theme related awards, and try to do Spell Bound Challenges once a month working on the muscular systems and Health topics. This helps the children who may not be as active in Physical activities excel on a different level of mental challenges.

PE TEACHER OF THE DAY
This is a favorite at our school. I involve Kindergarten - 5th graders as PE Teachers. Once a week a child becomes the PE teacher and receives their own whistle, pencil, and certificate. The child chooses his/her name and I introduce the new teacher to their class. The child will warm up the class, pick the games and/or activities, and resolve any conflicts among their classmates. This is great for leadership skills, and builds self esteem and confidence in the children.

At the end, the child will cool the class down and before he/she lines them up, we will discuss how the class went and how the "stand in" PE teacher did. This is simple, and builds great appreciation and character in children. The 4th & 5th graders turn a lesson plan in to me the next day, with a self evaluation of how they thought they did and if they would change anything for the next time!

CATEGORY TOSS
This is a great warm up exercise for the class. I start with a category which could be anything. Let's use "Football Teams." Pick two children to stand about 5 yards apart facing each other. One child starts by saying the name of a football team as he/she passes the ball. The game is played until the ball is dropped, a team is repeated, or there is hesitation before passing. The children love this.

The child who wins the first round will pick any category and begin the game again. Some favorite categories we have had were Circus, Sports Teams, States, Alphabet, Animals, and girl/boy names. The children can be creative. Sometimes if a class is getting out of control, or I feel like I need a change, I call out "Category Toss" and the whole class runs over and we re-group.

HURRICANE KATRINA FUNDRAISER
for our 4-legged friends.
We held a Pet-A-Thon for the rescue of animals and pets through Best Friends Animal Society. Our Kindergarten - 5th graders ran, walked, and skipped for 30 minutes getting flat donations, and our pre-school children raised money with "Pennies for Pets" and dropped their pennies in dog dishes outside their classrooms.

Our school raised $3,645 for this foundation, and the children received a blue rubber band bracelet saying "I saved a pet." It was great seeing the efforts of the children and families. We had it set up like a marathon, with water cups on stationed tables around the field. It was great.

For more information on this foundation please visit Bestfriends.com to see how your school can help. Here are a few pictures - ONE, TWO, THREE.

CAPTURE THE CHAIN
This is a great game, similar to capture the flag. The class is divided into 2 teams. The object of the game is to be the first human chain across the midline. There is a flag or cone, and a jail set up on each side on the far side of the field. The children have to run to the opposite side.

The first child touches and holds onto the flag or cone, the next holds the first person's hand, and so on until all the members from the opposite team are connected to the chain or the chain crosses the midline. If you get tagged you have to go to jail and wait for someone from your team to tag you out. If the chain breaks anyone who is disconnected can be tagged and sent to jail.

This is a fast moving game where all children are able to stay involved. I like to end the game with a race by lining up both teams on the midline. On the whistle, one child at a time runs to connect to the chain. Each child has to wait until the child in front of them connects to the chain before they can leave the midline.

The first team to get all members connected gets a drink and to line up first. The other team picks up the equipment. You can also reverse the race. The chain is in place, and one at a time the children have to run back to the line. Children love this challenge. To relate this to themes and Holidays, the stationary object the first person would hold could be a pumpkin, a stick in the ground, or a big candy cane, etc...

CAT & MOUSE
This is an old popular game with younger children. The children stand in a circle holding hands making a house for the mouse. One child is a mouse inside the house, and one child is a cat on the outside of the house. The object for the cat is to tag the mouse.

When the mouse wants in or out of the house, the children raise their hands as to open the window or door, but also close the window/door to keep the mouse safe. Sometimes the cat gets into the house and tags the mouse. They join the circle and two more children are picked. This is great for Kindergarten - 2nd grades.

I use my own report card in PE. For grades K-2, I use Locomotors skills which include walk, run, jump, hop, skip, gallop, leap, and slide.

The next category is Stunts-Tumbling, which include spatial relationships, balance, and body awareness. Manipulative Skills include ball skills (catching, throwing, and bouncing), and jumping rope, using short and long ropes.

Next are the Rhythm Skills which include interpreting and responding to the beat, tempo, and pitch of music. My Game Skills is if they know the information-tag, dodge, and rules.

Finally I use Social Skills which includes ability to lead and follow, willingly participate, consideration of self, others, and equipment, and the ability to listen and follow directions.

My grading key is simple. I use M for mastered skill, L for learning, and N/A not applicable for not tested yet. It's great and the parents love it. I also have my own assessments in the units I teach, which first quarter includes basketball skills, soccer skills, and jump roping skills.

The 3rd -5th graders get a simple card which include...

SKILLS:
	Applies rules/sportsmanship
	Running, galloping, & skipping dexterity
	Balancing & flexibility
	Rhythm awareness
	Ball handling skills
	Game skills
	Listening & following directions
	Participation
	Effort

The same grading criteria is used for this group also. Please feel free to use the attached documents, and use these report cards to fit your program (one, two).

I love this because we sometimes don't understand that children are proud of their feats, big or small, especially the non-athletes who are afraid to try, and when they do they need approval from someone.

I send this document home at random times, and have the children write their most incredible feat in PE. Sometimes I catch the children’s greatest feats and fill this page out for them. I then hang them outside on our bulletin boards. A great self confidence builder!

Injuries: I print out this online info pack and keep it on my clipboard for emergencies, or if I have a sub for my PE classes.