After enjoying a few days of having PE outside in warm dry conditions, Snoozy Snowflake brought us some snow and Chaparral students were back in the gymnasium focusing on their volleyball skills. Students have spent time working on the fundamentals of forearm and overhead passing and are now including an underhand serve to begin a rally with a partner. A more difficult skill for students was learning how to maneuver efficiently on the court and maintain good posture and athletic positioning to be able to make an effective pass to the target.
In Grades 1-3, students participated in split activities including basic volleyball skills and parachute games. Parachute games are great for developing muscle coordination, listening skills, a sense of rhythm and teamwork.
Parachute Games
- movement skills (2 arms, 1 arm, locomotor/non-locomotor skills)
- making waves
- mushrooms
- sharks and fish
- popcorn
Skiing/Snowboarding @ Winsport
Grade 5 students got to experience 2 amazing days of skiing and snowboarding at Winsport COP. On our first day students were faced with the challenge of learning these new skills on artificial snow. It was an interesting experience being up on the hill and looking down at a bare Calgary city, compared to our second visit which took place just days after about a foot of snow fell on the ground. Our grade 5 students really represented our school well as many instructors took the time to compliment our students for being 'amazing participants' and 'leaders on the hill'.
I would like to extend a very big THANK YOU to all of our volunteers who were able to join us for these field trips, helping students with boots and skiis was a big challenge for everybody involved. This trip would not have been possible without your generous help.
To all Chaparral Families, have a wonderful holiday with family and friends. I look forward to seeing students back at school in January.
Mr Van Roekel