NYC Scavenger Hunt Project

For this unit we will be learning how to use compasses to locate object that have been hidden.  You will be given coordinates and a distance to be traveled.  For example you may be given the direction to set your compass at 90 degrees and walk 120 feet.  Once you arrive at your destination there will be coordinates to the next object.

Groups of five will be assigned, and your first job is to create a nine piece puzzle with one fact about a NYC landmark in each piece.  Please click on your fact sheet below and write down interesting facts that you find

Statue of Liberty

Empire State Building 

United Nations

911 Memorial Museum

Ellis Island

American Museum of Natural History

South Street Sea Port

Time Square

Broadway       Spiderman

 

 

Snowshoeing Begins January 7th!!!!

Dear Families,

I hope that everyone had a very relaxing winter break.  During the month of January we will be snowshoeing in P.E class.  If you could please send your children prepared to go outside.  They will need a coat, boots, hat, mittens/gloves, and snow pants if possible.  Anyone who needs something, please let me or your classroom teacher know, so that I can help find something to borrow before class.

Brian Godfrey

P.E Teacher

Student Data Sheets

For the 2012-2013 school year, I’m looking to have students record their fitness data as a way to measure progress over time and for goal setting purposes.  During our Presidential Fitness Testing students in K-2nd grade will record their fitness results and then draw a pitcher of something that they would like to improve on in the future.  Students in 3rd-6th grade will gain a deeper understanding by comparing their fitness scores from last year to this years results.  In addition, 3rd-6th graders will set goals for next time they take the test and assess their results to National Standards.

My goal is for students to continually make positive improvements with their personal fitness and to build confidence/ self-esteem through goal setting.  Below you find examples of the forms that student’s will be expected to fill out.

K-2 Goal Setting Sheet

3-6 Goal Setting Sheet

Welcome Back

I’m very excited to be back teaching P.E in Lincoln and Monkton for the 2012-2013 school year.  My summer was very relaxing, as I spent my time playing with my son Liam.  He is now 17 months and is into everything.  I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things and hope to have another wonderful year working with my fantastic students.

Sincerely,

Mr. Godfrey

Goal Setting Project

During the month of February, I’m asking students to work on setting goals for themselves around being physically active.  Goals may be linked to the Presidential Fitness Test or any other goal that a child has for themselves.  Students will be taking the Presidential Fitness Test during the end of the month, so a goal around improving push-ups , mile run, shuttle run, sit & reach, and sit-ups scores, is a good place to start.

Students in K-2nd grad will be asked to choose a goal, and verbally check-in with me about their progress before the beginning of P.E class.  Students in 3rd-6th grade will be required to fill out a goal setting sheet and track their progress on a exercise log.  Their is no time requirement for students, and data doesn’t need to be recorded for every single day; however for goals that take minimal time, such as improving push-ups,  I would ask that this goal is practiced on most days.

I’ve attached a sample goal setting sheet and exercise log for anyone who may need an extra copy.

Goal Setting Sheet/ Exercise Log

My Plate Meal Project

During the past six weeks students in K-6th grade have been introduced to the new USDA My Plate daily nutritional recommendations.  My Plate illustrates the five food groups (protein, grain, fruits, vegetables, and diary) using a familiar mealtime visual.  Students have learned about what types of foods fall in each category and the benefits of each food group to your body.

For our final project students in 3rd-6th grade will be asked to construct a meal that could be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner which contains all 5 food groups and has between 500 and 600 calories.  The project will be done digitally and meals that are financially affordable will have the potential to be served for breakfast or lunch during the school day.  Students in K-2nd grade will be asked to do a similar project; however they will not be in a digital format  and students will not be required to account for the number of calories in their meal.

Food Calorie Counter

My Plate Meal Project Example

My Plate Blank Copy

My Plate Coloring Sheet

Exercise Log

Each marking period students in 3rd through 6th grade will be responsible for setting an exercise goal and recording their daily physical activity in an exercise log.  Students will be required to set a goal of 60 minutes of exercise a day for a two-week period, and log their time in an activity log.    All Students in K through 2nd grade will not be required to keep a log of their activity but will be asked to set a goal to exercise at least 15 minutes a day for one week.   This requirement will meet the Goal Setting Standard on the Physical Education section of the report card.

All students who complete their two-week activity log and achieve their daily exercise goal will receive a 3 on their report card (Student meets expectations related to the Standard)  Students who exceed the minimum requirement of 60 minutes a day for 3rd through 6th or 15 minutes for K through 2  will receive a 4 on their report card.

Click Link Below for Exercise Log Template

Exercise Log

Monkton Morning Mile Club

            I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to all of you.  My name is Brian Godfrey, and I’m the new Physical Education teacher in Monkton.  I’ve really enjoyed my first few weeks working with your children.  Additionally, I’ve been working on ways to increase physical activity for the students of Monkton.  My plan is to create a Monkton Morning Mile Club, where all students and their family members are invited to join me Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 7:15-7:45 to jumpstart their day with some fun family orientated exercise.

Why Should We Exercise?

            The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) recommends that all children get at least 60 minutes of exercise a day.  Many kids between P.E class, recess, and after school activities meet the CDC recommendations for exercise; however not all children in our community are able to be active 60 minutes a day.  This program is a safe and free way to increase opportunities for physical activity for all children.

Secondly, research suggests that exercise stimulates brain activity improving Information retention in the classroom.  Children who exercise regularly are more alert in school, perform better academically, and have less absenteeism than their inactive counterparts.

What is the Program?

The Monkton Morning Mile Club is a before-school walking/running program that gives children the chance to start their day in an active way while enjoying time with their family and friends.  Students will walk/run around the community recreational path near theMonktonCentralSchool.  Each lap around the recreation path will count as one mile.  For every 5 miles that students walk/run, they will be given tokens to recognize their accomplishment.

In case of inclement weather, we will use theMonktonCentralSchoolgymnasium.  My intention is to run the program through October or as long as weather allows.

When will the Program Start?

            The Monkton Morning Mile Club will begin Monday September 26^th.  There is no need to sign-up, simply show up ready to exercise.  All parents, teachers, and children are welcome to participate.  If anyone would like more info or to help out in anyway please contact me at bgodfrey@anesu.org

Greetings to all Monkton and Lincoln Parents & Students

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to all of you.  My name is Brian Godfrey, and I’m the new Physical Education teacher at Monkton Central School and Lincoln Community School.  I currently live in Waterbury with my wife Makenzie and newborn son Liam.  I grew up in Richmond Vermont and attended Johnson State College, where I graduated with a degree in Physical Education (K-12).  I recently finished my graduate coursework at UVM in Educational Leadership, where I focused my research on proactive strategies preventing childhood obesity.

When I was in grade school, I played a variety of sports including, soccer, basketball, hockey, and baseball.  As I got older, my primary interest was basketball and was fortunate enough to play in both high school and college.  My passion for basketball continued after my graduation from JSC.  I’ve coached middle school and high school girl’s basketball for the past eight years.  In addition to my love of basketball, I also enjoy personal fitness activities such as weight training, hiking, and running.  Recently, I’ve ventured outside of my comfort zone and stared competing in triathlons.  I’m not very good, but it’s fun to try something new.

My philosophy is to provide all children an opportunity to be successful in a wide range of movement, knowledge, and skill-building experiences.  I’ve always enjoyed being active, and I attribute this to all the great memories I had as a child playing sports, hiking, swimming, etc.  It’s of my belief that if children have initial positive experiences being active, that this will lead to a lifelong enjoyment of Movement.  My goal is provide all the students in Lincoln and Monkton positive experiences in P.E class, necessary skills to be successful in a variety of sports, knowledge to make healthy choices for their bodies, and to promote sportsmanship and teamwork as an important life skill.

I look forward to meeting all of you.  You can contact me at via email at bgodfrey@anesu.org or feel free to call me or stop by and say hi. I will be in Monkton on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  I will be in Lincoln on Tuesdays, and Thursday

Sincerely,

Brian Godfrey

Healthy Foods coming to Monkton and Lincoln

For the 2011-2012 school year Lincoln Community School and Monkton Central School have been awarded a Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Program (FFVP) grant. Throughout the school year we will be working on education children how to make healthy food choices.  The purpose of the program is to expand and increase the variety and amount of fruits and vegetables children experience and consume. Combined with nutrition education and a reinforcement of healthful eating habits, the program emphasizes the long-term goals of positively influencing children’s life-long eating habits and combating childhood obesity.

In addition, to the FFVP grant, one of my goals is to use this website as a platform for children to create and share healthy food recipes and alternative choices to traditional snacks such as cookies and chips.  More information will be coming soon.

Information about new Daily Food Recommendations from the FDA

After nearly two decades the food pyramid that most of us grew up using has been replaced by a food plate.  With obesity rates at epidemic levels a change in our nations eating habits is a priority.  Many people including me, found the food pyramid confusing and vague

The USDA new dietary recommendations comes in the form of a plate.  The food plate address several key dietary messages that will help lower obesity rates, diabetes, heart disease, and other food related diseases.  The key aspects of the food plate include:

• Enjoy your food, but eat less
• Avoid oversized portions
• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks
• Make at least half your grains whole grains
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk
• Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals – and choose the foods with lower numbers

Hopefully the new dietary recommendations by the USDA will provide clear strategies toward improving your eating habits.  Time will tell if the food plate will make the necessary difference in our nation’s health.