"Welcome to Tabata"...and get a PE buddy!
Tabata is a fitness circuit to upbeat music; K-3 students rotated every 20 seconds through a variety of motor skill activities and cahllenges with 10 seconds of rest/transition time in between each station. There were 24 different stations and students worked with a partner. During this unit, they learned about heart rate and cardiovascular fitness, which will be woven throughout many lessons this year. Students learned how to feel their pulse and count their heart beats per minute. Tabata is a high energy, fun and engaging activity. The students loved it and got a great workout!
Another fun twist to this Tabata unit was that students in some classes were matched up with a PE buddy from a different grade. This is a wonderful opportunity for community building within Buker. This called for double classes in the gymnasium at times and students had a great time meeting some new friends from different grade levels. The classroom teachers were very supportive and accommodating in last minute schedule changes to allow for PE buddies. I hope to continue this time to time this year. The older buddies really stepped up to the challenge and demonstrated leadership skills with their buddies. The younger buddies were so excited to have an older buddy in PE.
The 4th and 5th graders have been continuing to focus on the "spirit of the game" concept while they play different versions of Capture the Flag - with balls, frisbees and rubber chickens, pigs, and fish. Team strategies and cardiovascular fitness are the main focus of the these large group games. 4th and 5th graders will also be doing some Tabata in the near future!
An all school 30 minute movement event is scheduled OUTSIDE for Tuesday, November 14th. Stay tuned for more information!