Just Dance

 

Hello Friends!

 

Wow! I can't believe it's the middle of February already and we survived the Polar Vortex! Thankfully we are back to some great winter weather and some sunshine! 

This month all students have been working on developing our dance skills. We enjoyed warming up our muscles and getting our hearts pumping with a game of dance tag. Some of the favorite dance moves to get back into the game included: disco, wash it, shopping cart, sprinkler and the floss. 

We also worked on learning the elements of dance, which include:

1) Body: locomotor movements of hop, jump, skip, shuffle and using different body parts while dancing

2) Rhythm: identifying the timing of the music and matching our dance moves to the rhythm

3) Space: dancing at low, medium and high levels, using different pathways when we dance and changing directions

4) Relationships: maintaining 2 m social distance, connecting to music and dancing in personal and general space

5) Energy: participating with an open mind, cooperating and developing individual style based on our personality and comfort

We also talked about the benefits of listening to music and moving and dancing to our favorite music. There is so much research supporting the benefits of music and movement. It's amazing how great it feels to move and groove to music that you connect with! 

Today I'd like to share an article written by Meghan from Learning Resources called "Top 6 Reasons to Have A Daily Family Dance Party". See link below for Meghan's suggestions to get your family moving and grooving as well as some interesting benefits for your whole family to stay strong and healthy through dancing.

https://blog.learningresources.com/top-6-reasons-to-have-a-daily-family-dance-party/

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

February BOKS Calendar

 Hello Friends!

We are now into February and the heart of winter! It is more important than ever to keep our minds and bodies strong as we navigate through these very challenging times! 

Daily physical activity is important in so many ways to keep our whole self: mind, body, and soul strong! I would like to remind you of all the benefits of getting 60 minutes of daily physical activity:

- Exercise gives you energy.

- Fitness pumps up your heart.

- Exercise boosts brain power.

- Exercise helps you relax and sleep better.

- Regular exercise helps muscles and bones get stronger.

- Movement melts away stress.

- Fitness can build stronger relationships with family.

- Exercise wards off disease.

- Getting your heart rate up and breathing heavy while being active makes you feel fit, healthy and awesome! 

I would again like to share the BOKS FEBRUARY CALENDAR  link. This month's calendar focuses on your child's leadership skills of communication, listening and teamwork. The calendar has 16 BOKS BURST movement activities, as well as the ABC Workout Friday challenge. There are also ways to connect online with YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and more! Keep your family moving with this great resource!

 https://www.bokskids.ca/boks-free-sign-up/

Feel free to check out this additional link for easy access to previous monthly fitness calendar challenges!

https://www.bokskids.org/fitness-calendar/

Stay Active! Stay Positive! Stay Strong!

Sherri Anwender

The February Fitness Challenge

 Good Day Friends!

The weather has taken a turn and we are now experiencing a true Canadian winter! As the polar vortex settles in, it becomes so much harder to stay active and keep your muscles moving! However, it is important to remember that there is so much research supporting the importance of getting fresh air every day and moving our bodies for at least 60 minutes daily to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

In January I shared the at home in doors drop everything and move calendar. I would like to share the February DEAM calendar (Drop Everything And Move) from OPEN PE. There are so many easy ideas to be active in the warmth and comfort of your own home! Today I would like to post it and encourage you and your family to continue to strive for daily physical activity! 

Please check the link below for the February DEAM Calendar and get your heart pumping and muscles moving! Keep your body strong and your mind clear with these daily activity challenges! You got this! Enjoy!

https://openphysed.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/DEAM-February-Post.pdf

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

Beating the Winter Blues

Hello Friends!

Well the weather was crisp this week, making it a challenge to enjoy being outdoors! However, our family braved the elements every day this week for a quick and brisk winter walk. 

Studies show there is a benefit to getting outdoors even when its cold. As long as you are bundled up with appropriate layering, getting outside in the cold is a great way to use some extra energy to stay warm while those muscles move and you get your heart pumping. 

Today I would like to share an article from ACTIVE FOR LIFE that discusses the benefits of outdoor play during the colder winter months! Here are some of my family favorites: 

1) Winter Star Gazing

2) Summer Fun in the Snow

3) Blow Ice Bubbles

4) Frozen Freeze Tag

5) Snowy Hike

To read the full article for more great ideas to be active during winter, please visit the link below:

https://activeforlife.com/beat-the-january-blahs/

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

Keep that body moving!

 

Good Day Friends!

The weather has been fabulous this month, which helps make it easier to stay active and get some fresh air every day! There is so much research supporting the importance of getting fresh air every day and moving our bodies for at least 60 minutes daily to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

At the beginning of January I shared a DEAM calendar (Drop Everything And Move) from OPEN PE with all the students in their Google Classroom to encourage them to complete at least one movement activity daily throughout the month of January! Today I would like to post it and encourage you and your family to continue to strive for daily physical activity! 

Please check the link below for the January DEAM Calendar and get your heart pumping and muscles moving! Keep your body strong and your mind clear with these daily activity challenges! You got this! Enjoy!

https://openphysed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DEAM-JANUARY-CALENDAR.docx

Stay Active! Stay Positive! Stay Strong!

Sherri Anwender

Fun Games to Play In The Snow

Well another great week for winter weather in Calgary! We have been so blessed with this mild winter weather and all the snow that goes with it! 

Today I would like to share a great article from Active for Life that shares several great games you and your family can try on the weekend to keep you active in the snow!

Some of my favorites included:

1) Buried snow treasure

2) Winter scavenger hunt

3) Snow maze

4) Snowball target practice

5) Snow slide

Check out the article for more great ideas to get outside and play in the snow using the link below!

https://activeforlife.com/active-games-to-play-snow/

Stay Strong! Stay Active! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

Happy New Year!

 Happy New Year Everyone!

Let's commit to living a healthier and more active lifestyle in 2021! Our family has set the goal to be active 30 minutes everyday as a family. So far we have enjoyed playing "Just Dance" together and going for a daily walk with our pets. What will your family's active lifestyle include?

This week I would like to motivate your family to move with the BOKS Canada Activity Calendar! I have included this monthly on the blog because it has such great ideas to keep you active without a lot of effort or equipment required. 

As we move through January I would like to encourage your family to once again visit the BOKS Canada website to sign up for the monthly fitness calendar with daily activities for you and your family to stay active! BOKS Canada also has a face book page and you tube channel for interactive videos to keep your family moving!

When you sign up for the BOKS January Fitness Calendar you will find:

• Daily movement bursts to get your heart pumping and muscles moving
• Weekly challenges (Bring the outdoors in, No boredom with board games, You've got to move it, Outside the BOKS)
• Mindful Friday Activities
• NEWLY ADDED: Are you Game?

https://www.bokskids.ca/boks-free-sign-up/

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

Enjoy winter hiking with your family

 

Happy Holiday Friends!

Well the Christmas break from school is officially under way!

It's important to remember that during these difficult times staying physically active and getting fresh air is so important for our whole well being: mind, body and spirit! 

This week I would like to focus on another great resource that can be found at your local grocery store (for free) or online, the Calgary's Child Magazine. I would like to share an article by Tanya Koob, titled "10 family-friendly trails in Kananaskis".  In the article Tanya shares her families' favorite trails, which include:

1) Paddy's Flats Interpretative Trail

2) Fullerton Loop

3) Troll Falls

4) Rawson Lake

5) Chester Lake

6) Bow Valley Provincial Park Loop

7) Jura Creek

8) Grotto Canyon

9) Heart Creek

10) Grassi Lakes

My family has enjoyed most of these hikes over the years. All have great water features to keep the kids entertained along the way. 

Please check out the full article with Tanya's advice using the link below:

https://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?m=3530&i=685030&p=10

** Please be reminded to google the trails before leaving. Many trails have been closed periodically during covid due to heavy traffic causing unexpected damage to trail safety. 

Stay Safe! Stay Positive! Stay Active!

Sherri Anwender

Winter Fun Around Calgary

 

Happy Holidays Friends!

Well we are on the home stretch to winding down for Christmas break! As Covid restrictions increase to keep us safe, please pick up this resource at your local grocery store for great ideas to keep your family active over the holidays!

This week I would like to focus on the article by Nanica Brown, titled "Winter Fun in and Around Calgary". In the article Nanica provides 50 ideas for cheap, easy and fun activities that you and your family can do at home or around Calgary! Some of my favorite activities include:

- Find the ice caverns in Fish Creek Park.

- Try cross country skiing though the University of Calgary Outdoor Center.

https://outdoor-centre.ucalgary.ca/

- Go tobogganing in your community at a small hill. Be sure to wear a helmet!

- No two snowflakes are the same. Grab black paper and a magnifying glass to catch and study snowflakes. Can you see the differences?

- Create a snow maze in your yard.

Below find the link to the online version of this magazine.   https://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=674935

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

Floor Hockey Frenzy

 

Good Day Friends!

Wow the weather in December has been absolutely phenomenal! What great motivation to get outside and get your body moving! The fresh air and sunshine are sure to boost your spirits! So get that body moving!

This month our division 2 students are working on their floor hockey skills. As we move through the month the students will develop the following skills:

- stick handling

- defense skills

- passing

- shooting

- game play

Please visit the link below for some great ways your family can reinforce these skills at home with:

- table top hockey

- marshmallow hockey

- CD air hockey

- create mini hockey

- balloon hockey

- pompom hockey

https://creativefamilyfun.net/all-about-hockey-15-fun-hockey/

Stay Active! Stay Positive! Stay Strong!

Sherri Anwender