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Mueller
students are encouraged to actively use their bodies for exercise
as well as their minds for learning. We have found that physical movement is an ideal
way for students to take a break from classroom learning and increases
students' concentration when they return to their academics after
PE. Students enjoy the cooperative physical education activities
and have a lot of fun doing them.
Students receive physical education twice a week for fifty
minutes classes instead of the typical 30 minutes three times
a week as offered at most Wichita schools. Our PE teachers are
better able to concentrate on teaching
physical
education standards during this time. Students are then able
to have more time to practice these skills for mastery which increases
their likelihood of skill retention as they get older and are
expected to meet increasingly more difficult expectations.
Cooperative activities are stressed and encouraged by providing
manipulatives, games, and activities for all students to practice
at the same time rather than having students waiting in line for
a turn. Our gym provides space for everyone to participate and
have fun together. This is frequently seen as students work with
partners, small groups, and large group activities that are creatively
chosen to meet the district standards but allow students to enjoy
their PE time. Activities include: gymnastics, parachutes, bowling,
hockey, four-square, jump roping, track and field events, ball
skills, movement exercises, juggling, dance, and games. Music
is a frequent part of PE instruction as it lends a natural connection
between the auditory input and physical movement that go together
so well.
Other opportunities for physical exercise are provided during
short recess breaks where students are encouraged to play
games or use the playground equipment
for exercise and lunch recess which helps students play with others
or participate in intramurals. Mueller
PE teachers also help plan our yearly Family Fun & Fitness Night at the YMCA, our
lunch time intramural program, the Track and
Field Day, our school wide Health Day in the gym and the the district's
third grade Kansas Kids Fitness Day. These programs are exciting ways for students
to put into practice what they have learned in the Mueller PE
program!
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