Partner and Group Activities Are Common in Second Grade

Second Grade

During second grade students are expected to meet some of the 3rd grade PA state standards and the National Physical Education standards.

Partner and group activities are common in second grade.

Fitness is again stressed throughout the year. This year the students will again be running half a mile in the Fall and in the Spring of the year. That way each child can see if their aerobic endurance and fitness has improved. We use the soccer field and two and a half laps are about a half mile. I let them know a week or two before we run the half mile. If they have any asthma they should use their inhaler. Students are allowed to walk when needed. Students will be expected to complete the half mile jogging or running the majority of it. (they may still walk, but should not need to walk the whole way). There is no time limit and we discuss the importance of self monitoring and not worrying about other students’ level of fitness. We also cheer for everyone after the first couple finishers have caught their breath. If it rains the half mile will be the following week. We also continue to do fitness activities (including: tag games, traveling, exercising to music, and dancing) where the students are not even aware that they are tired because they are having so much fun.

Students experience jumping a self turned rope as well as a long partner turned rope.

We focus on creative movement in second grade and students develop performances in gymnastics, traveling, and while using props such as dance ribbons. In gymnastics we work on the forward and backward roll as well as balancing on equipment this year. Once again, students go through an obstacle course near the end of October that we call the “Haunted house”.

Feedback to others is often stressed. Students learn how to look for important cues in others’ movements as well as be aware of them in their own movements.

This is the final year that the parachute is used to discuss speed, force, and flow. We discuss more complicated ideas while using the parachute and our bodies.

The second graders use their ball skills in a variety of ways. They are expected to use their hands most times when they catch and also expected to catch more often. The overhand throw is stressed in second grade as well as dribbling.

Things a second grader can work on: Jumping a self turned rope Hula hoop Jumping a long jump rope turned by others Catching Overhand throw Skipping, leaping high and far and landing on one foot Moving creatively to music Dribbling with hands and feet Rolling a ball by swinging it to the side then stepping and rolling smoothly Aerobic Fitness- walking or jogging, dancing, jumping jacks Strength- push-ups, sit ups, frog jumps