FCPS teachers win three mini-grants

Two Falls City Public School teachers have been awarded three physical education mini-grants. Kris Simon won a mini-grant for Falls City High School and Joe Dunn won two mini-grants, one for South Elementary School and one for North Elementary School. Teachers who take part in ESU 4's Carol M. White Physical Education Grant were given the opportunity to apply for these mini-grants of up to $500 each.

In Mrs. Simon's "Plan Your Aerobic Unit," students will create a lifetime aerobic workout plan. They will learn the following:

• Benefits of an aerobic workout
• Lower and upper body toning
• Understanding of RHR (Resting Heart Rate) and THR (Target Heart Rate)
• Core muscles
• Difference between anaerobic and aerobic exercises

In addition, the students will learn these skills:

• How to use fitness equipment
• How to design a fitness program
• How to write and present a fitness workout

Mini-grant funds will be used to purchase fitness weights, individual exercise mats, exercise music, and stretch bands.

The South School mini-grant project is called "Wii! It's not just what you say going down a slide." Students in grades 3 - 5 will have the opportunity to enjoy boxing, bowling, golf, tennis, and baseball with the Nintendo Wii system. The video game requires that students are actively involved in playing the game by moving to swing a bat, golf club, or tennis racquet; throw a bowling ball; and throw a punch. The student learning objectives are the following:

• Students will learn that gaming can have physical benefits as well as being fun.
• Students will learn rhythmic movement, agility, and hand/eye coordination.
• Students will demonstrate competency in motor skills and movement patterns from gaming (Standard 1: Skills).
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of movement concepts and strategies as they apply to learning in physical education (Standard 2: Knowledge).
• Stuents will participate in gaming activity (Standard 3: Active).
• Students will achieve a health-enhancing level of fitness (Standard 4: Fitness).

Funds from the mini-grant will be used to purchase two Nintendo Wii game systems, along with the starter games.

"Badminton's Benefits are Bountiful" is the North School mini-grant project. The target population for this activity will be kindergarten through second grade students. In the project, students will enjoy badminton and pickle ball while receiving aerobic benefits. The following student learning objectives will enhance the students' physical education classes:

• Students will learn that racquet sports can have physical benefits.
• Students will learn hand/eye coordination.
• Students will demonstrate competency in motor skills and movement patterns from badminton (Standard 1: Skills).
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of movement concepts and strategies as they apply to the game of badminton (Standard 2: Knowledge).
• Students will participate in racquet sports (Standard 3: Active).
• Students will achieve a health-enhancing level of fitness (Standard 4: Fitness).

Four portable badminton nets will be purchased for North School with mini-grant funds.