Brain Breaks and Body Breaks

Throughout our day, we squeeze in a few brain breaks and body breaks. Sometimes these are silly games or motions like Jack in the Box, Walking the Tight Rope, Penguin Walk, Swimming, Squeezies, Hand Massage, Mirrors, etc. At other times, we do regular exercises like crunches, push-ups, lunges, squats, bicycle crunches, arm circles, chair push-ups, mountain climbers, etc. Mr. Doug approved all of these exercises for first graders. You can see how active we are in the photos below and taking these breaks helps us all focus better.

Squats

V-sits

Crunches

Maker Station
You may have heard already about our popular new Exploration Station that we are calling the Maker Station. You may even already have some projects from this station decorating your home. Your donations of recyclable items have been put to good use. Feel free to continue to send those small items. We are really using our imaginations and fine motor skills at this station.

Sloan creates an "ice cream sundae" for her dad. Sam builds a rocket ship.

Ellison designed a trophy.

David and Caroline choose their materials.

Luke makes a space station.

Emma makes a card.

Homework
Reading ~ Read a good book or two.
math ~ Home Link 2.9 Counting by 5s

Crew News February 9, 2012

Brain Breaks and Exercises
We are still trying to remember to take frequent brain breaks and get our bodies moving. Ask your child about some of the things we do to give ourselves a break and refresh our brains.

Homework
Reading ~ Read a good book or two.
Math ~ Home Link 6.9 More Counting Coins

Crew News September 22, 2011

Exercise in the Classroom
We have several ways that we move our bodies in our classroom. We do some stretching on Fridays during our morning meeting. We have body and/or brain breaks where we pretend to walk on a tight rope, walk like a penguin, pretend to swim or some other imaginative activity. This week we added basic exercise moves to our transitions between classes. We do push-ups, crunches, leg lifts, squats, lunges, jumping jacks and much more (but not all on one day). I had Mr. Doug approve our list of exercises when I started doing this with my class last year. I really believe in the power of movement. It is not only good for the body and the attention span but it is good for the brain, too. (No photos today - they all turned out too blurry because we were moving!)
  
Homework
No homework for the weekend. Enjoy a few good books with your child.

IA
Our IA next week is PE. Please help your child remember to wear appropriate footwear.