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

December Fitness Challenge

 

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Wow! Where did November go? And what is with this AMAZING weather? Fingers crossed it sticks around for the remainder of the year! Such a great opportunity to get outside and breath in some fresh air and move your body! 

Also, a fabulous opportunity to continue our PE program outside! Reminder to have your children to dress for the winter elements: toques, mittens, boots, ski pants and a warm coat! When the students dress for the weather they have so much fun!

As we move through December 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 December Fitness Calendar you will find:

• Daily movement bursts to get your heart pumping and muscles moving
• Weekly challenges (Embrace the Season, Celebrate Nature & Try a new outdoor sport)
• Mindful Friday Activities
• NEWLY ADDED: Winter Fun Pack

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

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

Division 1 Using their FUNdamental Movement Skills

 

Good Day Everyone!

Another great week with weather but a short school week! Our division 1 students continue to work on their fundamental movement skills with playing various games on the field in the snow! 

It is so important for children to master their basic movement skills in order to develop their confidence to try new activities as they grow, but also to feel successful in their ability to participate in a wide variety of sports or movement activities! 

The Active for Life website has so many wonderful games that children can play at home to further practice these basic skills. 

Attached is the link for several games that your family can play at home with basic materials around the house to practice the following skills: agility, balance, catch, dribble, gallop, hop, jump, kick, run, skip, strike, throw and volley.

Family Fundamental Games

Stay Active! Stay Safe! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

Racket Fun in Division 2

Good Day Friends!

I continue to be amazed with the weather cooperating for PE outside! The students seem to be enjoying the challenge of warming up our hearts and muscles with active tag games as well as learning the fun sports that use rackets: Table Tennis, Badminton, Tennis and Pickle Ball! Of course we are adding the dimension of snow to these sports, which seems to be a fun challenge for all of us! 

This week I would like to share some easy racket games that you can play at home with your family in order to stay active! 

If the weather doesn't permit you to go outside, using a balloon and homemade paper plate paddle provides a fun and inexpensive challenge for the whole family!

If the weather is permitting and you have rackets, please feel free to try the following games. Courtesy of Bayview Village Tennis Camp out of Ontario.

1) Partner Ball Toss

2) Hungry Crocodile

3) Count Dracula

4) Squash Ball

5) Target Practice

6) Dribblers

7) Hit and Catch

8) Tidy/Messy

9) Ball Bounce

10)Simon Says

** For detailed instructions visit the link below:

Racket Games for Kids

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!
Sherri Anwender

These boots are made for walking...

Good Day Friends!

Well what a beautiful start to the month of November with this AMAZING weather! As we move into the winter months it is more important than ever to continue to stay active and get fresh air. 

Having the freedom to explore, run and play is so important for the healthy development of children. That's why a nature walk is an excellent way to spend time together as a family. As well, physical activity and fresh air are great ways to aid in your mental health wellbeing! 

Today I would like to share an article from Active for Life that provides several family friendly games to play on a trail walk or nature hike...

1) Giddy Up

2) Follow the Leader

3) Nature Scavenger Hunt

4) Geocaching

5) I Spy

6) Pick up Sticks

7) Hide and Go Seek: Trail Addition

** Please see the detailed article link below for how to play these games!

Active For Life

Here are a list of great parks in Calgary to explore ...

1) Bowmont Park NW

2) Nose Hill Park NW

3) Griffith Woods Park SW

4) Carburn Park SE

5) Tom Campbell/s Hill Natural Park NE

6) Fish Creek Provincial Park SW

7) Weaselhead Flats SW

8) Edworthy Park SW

9) Glenmore Park SW

10) Douglas Fir Trail 

Happy Walking!

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

November Fitness Challenge

 

Hello!

Well October has flown by and November is right around the corner! 

Reflecting on the month, students enjoyed learning about the basic fundamental movements and frisbee skills! Being outside for PE has been wonderful! The element of adding snow this month created a fun learning environment for everyone! Please remind your children to dress for the weather!

Being outside moving is so good for the whole well being: mind, body and soul! 

As we move through November I would love 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 facebook page and you tube channel for interactive videos to keep your family moving!

When you sign up for the BOKS November Fitness Calendar you will find...

• Daily movement bursts to get your heart pumping and muscles moving
• Weekly Challenges (switch it up, would you rather, nutrition challenge, running challenge)
• Friday ABC Workout and recipe

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

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

Flying Disc FUN!!

 

Hope you are staying warm with this sudden change of temperature! This week I would like to summarize what our division 2 students are working on, as well as share some great activities that you and your family can do at home to reinforce what we are learning at school!

Students in grades 3 thru 6 are working on developing their frisbee skills. We have been learning how to throw forehand and backhand, catching and passing the frisbee throughout the month of October. As we wrap up October we are now using our skills to play the two common sports associated with frisbee: Frisbee Golf and Ultimate Frisbee!

Frisbee is an easy and inexpensive sport to play with your family.  Please visit the links below to find some great games you and your family can try to reinforce these skills at home! As well as keeping your family active too!

How to play ultimate frisbee with your family: 

https://activeforlife.com/ultimate-frisbee-with-your-kids/

21 Frisbee games to play with your kids:

https://kidactivities.net/21-fun-frisbee-games-for-kids/

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender

FUNdamental Movement Skills

 

Hello! 

This week I would like to summarize what our division 1 students are working on, as well as share some great activities that you and your family can do at home to reinforce what we are learning at school!

Students in Kindergarten thru grades 2/3 are working on developing their "FUNdamental" movement skills. Our goal is to develop these basic skills in order for students to develop the confidence and competency to try new sports or activities while fostering a love of movement and physical activity!

The skills we are working on include:

1) Static Balances - one legged balance like the stork stand

2) Dynamic Balances - using an agility ladder to develop stable body positions while moving

3) Log Rolls

4) Running

5) Dodging

6) Skipping

7) Galloping

8) Jumping

9) Leaping

10) Hopping

Please visit the link below to find some great games you and your family can try to reinforce these basic skills! 

Canadian Sport For Life

Stay Active! Stay Strong! Stay Positive!

Sherri Anwender