6th Grade Plans PE - Video 2

Here is another great video of 6th grade "Plan PE" fitness activities! Click the link below.

6th Grade Plans PE

6th Grade Plan PE - 2013

6th Graders are planning and teaching unique, fun fitness activities this semester. Check out some of the activities by clicking on the link below!

6th Grade Plan PE - 2013

March PE Star Students

Here are the students who were voted PE Stars for the month of March. They displayed excellent character and set a positive example for their classmates. Great job!

3rd Grade Stars

4th Grade Stars

5th Grade Stars

6th Grade Stars

2013 3-on-3 Tourney

2013 3-on-3 Tourney

Student Questions - Round 7

Question: If you are in a desk all day, but you exercise in the morning, will you still have possibilities of getting diseases like cancer?

Answer: There is no exact answer to this as everyone's body chemistry and genetics are different. What research is telling us right now is that the more often you move, the better your chances to live longer. Movement promotes healthy circulation of our cardiovascular and detoxification systems. This means that oxygen and nutrition will be circulated better to all the cells, tissues, and organs. It also means that our bodies will be better able to get rid of "trash" through our waste removal systems.

Question:What can you do that is active when it's bad weather outside?

Answer: Think of all the exercises we do as part of our dynamic warm-up. Things like jumping jacks, lunges, push-ups, burpees, squats, split squats, planks, bird-dogs, and foot fire can all be done in a small space. If you have a play room or basement, invent games to play with soft balls or other equipment that will not damage your house. An exercise bike, treadmill, or elliptical machine are also good options for indoor exercise. If you use your imagination, I'm sure you can come up with many different ways to get active.

Question: How do you improve running faster?

Answer: To improve speed, three things must occur. 1. You must improve your strength. Remember, a fast runner is someone who is powerful. Power = Strength + Speed. Exercises like squats, lunges, split squats, push-ups, and planks can increase total body strength. 2. You must practice running fast! When you sprint, you are activating your fast twitch muscle fibers. These muscles will gradually change and learn to fire faster as you practice sprinting. Jogging will not make you a faster runner, although it can help with your endurance. 3. Practice running with good technique. Lean forward, land on your mid to front foot, and drive your arms straight forward from your hips upward. If you do these things, you will find yourself running faster over time.

Aerobic and Anaerobic Training

If you're looking to get in great shape, it's important to include both aerobic and anaerobic training in your fitness routine. Aerobic training is when your body combines oxygen and fuel (from food) to produce energy for the body. The aerobic system dominates when you are exerting yourself at a light to moderate intensity, and is improved when you strive to move for longer periods of time. Anaerobic training is when your body uses stored energy called glycogen along with phosphocreatine to create energy (ATP) for the body. This system dominates when you are exerting yourself at a high intensity level. This system is great for high power output, but fatigues quickly. These energy systems work different muscle fibers in the body and also challenge the cardiovascular system differently. Combine both ways of training and you will notice improvements in your overall fitness and athleticism!

Examples of aerobic training: light to moderate walking, biking, swimming, jogging, jumping rope, dancing.

Examples of anaerobic training: high intensity sprinting, weightlifting, medicine ball throws, plyometrics (jump training)

Images from: calgarycorporatefitness and berkeleywellness

Awesome Food = Kale!

Kale is a cruciferous leafy green vegetable. Other members of the cruciferous vegetable family include broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and cabage. Kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. It contains many vitamins and minerals including magnesium, folate, vitamin K, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It has has many powerful plant nutrients known as flavanoids that can help prevent disease. It can be fairly bitter, so be sure to research the various ways you can prepare/cook this food. One of my favorite ways to eat Kale is to make "Kale Chips." There are many recipes online. Just do a Google search!