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

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