Physical Education in Scoil Mhuire Fatima
Overview
Physical Education in school is hugely important in a child’s development physically, mentally and socially. Classes are taught 6 different strands each year. They are Games, Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Aquatics and Outdoor and Adventure. Teachers use the ‘Primary School Sports Initiative’ resource materials to support their lessons. These are available to all teachers on the school server and in the PE resource library. In Scoil Mhuire Fatima we aim to include a variety of different sports and activities during the year in the PE curriculum. We emphasise the importance of keeping active during play time with initiatives such as ‘Do your talking as you’re walking’ and ‘Active Breaks’ in the class room especially on rainy days. Children receive 60 minutes of timetabled PE during the week but are often rewarded with extra PE/physical activity for good behaviour or achievements earned.
The Key messages of the Primary PE curriculum are:
Physical Education in school is hugely important in a child’s development physically, mentally and socially. Classes are taught 6 different strands each year. They are Games, Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Aquatics and Outdoor and Adventure. Teachers use the ‘Primary School Sports Initiative’ resource materials to support their lessons. These are available to all teachers on the school server and in the PE resource library. In Scoil Mhuire Fatima we aim to include a variety of different sports and activities during the year in the PE curriculum. We emphasise the importance of keeping active during play time with initiatives such as ‘Do your talking as you’re walking’ and ‘Active Breaks’ in the class room especially on rainy days. Children receive 60 minutes of timetabled PE during the week but are often rewarded with extra PE/physical activity for good behaviour or achievements earned.
The Key messages of the Primary PE curriculum are:
- The importance of enjoyment and play
- Maximum participation by all children
- Development of skills and understanding
- Balance between competitive and non-competitive activities
- Balance between contact and non-contact activities
- Providing opportunities for achievement for every child
- Providing activities equally suitable for boys and girls
INCLUSION IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
We ensure that children with special needs experience the enjoyment of participation in and progression through the stages of the Physical Education Programme. In planning their PE lessons teachers take into account the individual learning needs of the children in their class. Staff members have attended Disability Inclusion and Awareness Training workshops. Children with special needs receive additional, individualised PE time with their learning support teacher and/or SNA to improve mobility, co-ordination and confidence. We also make sure that in advance coaches are informed about children with special needs so they can adapt their activities accordingly.
Here are some of the methodologies currently used by teachers in Scoil Mhuire Fatima:
We ensure that children with special needs experience the enjoyment of participation in and progression through the stages of the Physical Education Programme. In planning their PE lessons teachers take into account the individual learning needs of the children in their class. Staff members have attended Disability Inclusion and Awareness Training workshops. Children with special needs receive additional, individualised PE time with their learning support teacher and/or SNA to improve mobility, co-ordination and confidence. We also make sure that in advance coaches are informed about children with special needs so they can adapt their activities accordingly.
Here are some of the methodologies currently used by teachers in Scoil Mhuire Fatima:
- Use of sensory equipment – soft balls/bean bags
- Adapted use of PE equipment
- Visual cue cards to accompany verbal instruction
- Modified activities – varying level of difficulty
- Additional support
- Specific Groupings: paired, group, buddy system
- Lower noise levels
- Variation of time; more to complete tasks/shorten time for more strenuous activities
THE PE TIMETABLE
Every class has a 1 hour timetable PE slot per week. Free slots are shown on the timetable allowing teachers to make use of the hall for discretionary time. Discretionary curriculum time is used to promote physical activity at various stages throughout the school year e.g. School Sports Day, G.A.A. Celebrations, Active School Flag initiatives, Active School Week, Seachtain na Gaeilge, Sporting competitions etc.
Every class has a 1 hour timetable PE slot per week. Free slots are shown on the timetable allowing teachers to make use of the hall for discretionary time. Discretionary curriculum time is used to promote physical activity at various stages throughout the school year e.g. School Sports Day, G.A.A. Celebrations, Active School Flag initiatives, Active School Week, Seachtain na Gaeilge, Sporting competitions etc.
THE PE STOREROOM
We have a fantastic storeroom full of PE equipment. Both the PE Monitors and the Active Flag committee regularly check the store room to make sure that everything is replaced after use and stored neatly. Everything is clearly labelled and easily accessible for use in PE lessons.
Active Homework
Here in Scoil Mhuire Fatima, we always encourage the children to live healthy and active lives. The general health and mental health benefits of activity are well documented and include better focus, stronger immunity, happier mood, improved heart health, stronger lungs etc. Scientific research shows that short periods of physical activity–even as little as 10 minutes at a time–performed throughout the day provide health benefits similar to longer periods of physical activity. Therefore we have decided to introduce some ‘Active Homework’ in all classes on the days the students have PE. We have compiled a long list of ideas that the children can choose from, some of their favourites are ‘Create an obstacle course in your house’ and ‘The Baby Shark Dance’!
Here in Scoil Mhuire Fatima, we always encourage the children to live healthy and active lives. The general health and mental health benefits of activity are well documented and include better focus, stronger immunity, happier mood, improved heart health, stronger lungs etc. Scientific research shows that short periods of physical activity–even as little as 10 minutes at a time–performed throughout the day provide health benefits similar to longer periods of physical activity. Therefore we have decided to introduce some ‘Active Homework’ in all classes on the days the students have PE. We have compiled a long list of ideas that the children can choose from, some of their favourites are ‘Create an obstacle course in your house’ and ‘The Baby Shark Dance’!
Fundamental Movement skills
We have been working very hard on improving the important skills that we need every day. We have chosen to work on the fundamental movement skills of Running, Skipping, Throwing and Balance. We practice these in school but also at home with our families. Here are some videos to help remind us if we are completing each skill correctly. All of these skills are available on www.scoilnet.ie/pdst/physlit/beyond/
here are the teaching points to look out for in the 4 fundamental movement skills
throwing
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Some games that can be used to practice and improve the Fundamental Movement Skill of throwing.
Running
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Some games that can be used to practice and improve the Fundamental Movement Skill of running.
BALANCING
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Some games that can be used to practice and improve the Fundamental Movement Skill of balance.
Skipping
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