Alamo Elementary School

Physical Education Program

Using the physical Education Framework for the State Department of Education, Annie Murphy, our PE teacher, has designed a program for students based on the guidelines for their level.

The focus of the program is to offer a variety of athletic activities in a fun, controlled environment with a cardiovascular undertone.

The lower grades work on gross motor skills and develop throwing, catching, and kicking skills. They work on their eye hand and eye foot co-ordination and learn simple non- competitive games and activities.

As they progress they learn how to improve on their skills and play games that involve teamwork, communication, spatial awareness, passing and receiving (core skills of many sports and games). Most of the PE lessons are non-competitive, as a score is rarely kept, but they also play games such as capture the flag and dodge ball where a winning team is inevitable. The focus is always on having fun and the rule of thumb is any one who has fun walks away a winner.

The 4th and 5th graders get to take part in an optional Recess League Tournament which affords them the chance to play against other rooms in an effort to become "champions" of the sport (soccer, basketball or football).

The 5th graders are prepared for their Standardized Fitness Test by doing test specific exercises once a week. They take the test 3 times throughout the year, each time setting goals for the next one and striving towards them as the year progresses. They also take part in the 5th grade challenge where they develop and teach their own PE lessons to the class. Friday mornings can be controlled or chaotic depending on the challenge!!

Feel free to spend some time in the yard or even join in some of the activities, and be sure to stop by the PE notice board for information on the latest league, the highest fitness stats, the 5th grade challenge or the after school programs that Ms. Murphy runs at the school.