From Mr. Licato: Volleyball and the Pacer Test
It is a very exciting time to be part of the Mustard Seed School physical education program! As we enter the new year, Thunder and Lighting have begun to explore the wonders of volleyball. Volleyball is a wonderful and challenging activity. Students will be focusing on team building, communication skills, hand-eye coordination, strength, and endurance. They are learning the rules of the game and the various skill sets and positions that are required for the sport. In our first few lessons, the students were paired off and worked on creating a consistent back and forth volley. Once that skill was obtained, the class transitioned into learning more about setting the ball to their partners. As the weeks continue, we will integrate spiking into our routine, followed then by a full court game where they will be able to use all of the skills they have learned over the course of the term.
At the end of February, the students will participate in the Pacer Test, which is an aerobic capacity test that becomes more difficult as it progresses. This is done to measure the aerobic fitness levels of each student. In preparation for this, the physical education classes are working on their aerobic condition, which has been a part of their curriculum since the beginning of the school year. Due to the change of the seasons, they now focus on guided runs in the gymnasium for a period of time before their physical education class begins.
In the spring, our students will gear up to partake in the MSS Fitness Test, which is another physical aptitude test, which focuses on teaching people to make fitness a part of their everyday lives. They will go through a series of challenging events, starting with pushups, sit ups, sit and reach and concludes with a mile long timed run. The standards are based on national guidelines for their particular age groups.
As you can see, our students are hard at work! There is a lot to be learned and worked through and I am elated to watch their progress. Surely physical fitness is a skill that is honed in on over time but judging by their commitment and the strides that I have seen thus far, I am confident that we will begin the new year on a positive note. Here is to a healthy and strong start to 2019 !
At the end of February, the students will participate in the Pacer Test, which is an aerobic capacity test that becomes more difficult as it progresses. This is done to measure the aerobic fitness levels of each student. In preparation for this, the physical education classes are working on their aerobic condition, which has been a part of their curriculum since the beginning of the school year. Due to the change of the seasons, they now focus on guided runs in the gymnasium for a period of time before their physical education class begins.
In the spring, our students will gear up to partake in the MSS Fitness Test, which is another physical aptitude test, which focuses on teaching people to make fitness a part of their everyday lives. They will go through a series of challenging events, starting with pushups, sit ups, sit and reach and concludes with a mile long timed run. The standards are based on national guidelines for their particular age groups.
As you can see, our students are hard at work! There is a lot to be learned and worked through and I am elated to watch their progress. Surely physical fitness is a skill that is honed in on over time but judging by their commitment and the strides that I have seen thus far, I am confident that we will begin the new year on a positive note. Here is to a healthy and strong start to 2019 !
