Physical Education at Academy of Saint James has seen a spectacular year thus far. We
have participated in a variety of sports such as kickball, team handball, badminton,
yukiball and street hockey.
In PE we attempt to have the student gain strength, endurance, agility, balance and
coordination of both the body and the mind. We know we can properly, fundamentally
and independently teach each kid to put a basketball in a hoop or a soccer ball in a goal.
That learned ability then provides them with the confidence to attempt further
opportunities in the classroom and beyond.
We use structure, routine and consistency as the teaching style.
Structure- The rules of sport (i.e. we kick a soccer ball, not pick it up with our hands) and
conduct (i.e. we answer with direct eye contact and in a polite yes please or no thank you
manner.)
Routine - The first 5-7 minutes of every class are exactly the same for everyone, every
time. After our initial greeting, it’s time for bounce and catch, working on focused
attention, bouncing and catching a handball, walking forward, backward and step and
sliding. Next we run, doing our HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), wind sprints
followed by crab walk then bear crawl.
Once that is complete it is time for callisthenic exercises. The callisthenic exercises
change with each sport, building into more complex actions; i.e. squats leading to squat
thrusts leading to burpees. Next is agility, i.e. hurdles, floor ladder, cone work (laterality),
or balance beam. Finally it is time for the sport of that section, where we focus on a
specific sport for one month so as to keep the students’ interest while they are exposed to
a variety of activities.
Consistency – The positive accolades will be positive accolades today and always. Every
student is held accountable equally for their actions, nothing varies.
The students are reminded, through an abundance of positive accolades, that by having a
positive attitude, a high level of participation and demonstrating improvement they will
receive good grades in gym and in life!
- Mr. Papaccio, Gym Teacher PK – 8 th Grade
Gym News!
April 21, 2023