The Rivendell Olympics of 2012 are underway.  Here are some photos of the exciting action!

The summer Olympic games has come and gone in London, but at Rivendell we are just getting started!  Middle and Older Kids learned that only male citizens could compete in ancient Greece, but the Rivendell Olympics is more inclusive.  We’ve started practicing for our own Olympic events in Middle and Older Kids, based on some of the original Greek contests.

Students in each class were divided up into city-states (Athens, Argos and Corinth) to compete in the following events, modified for safety:

• Running. The original Greek stadion race was between 180-240 meters; we have a perfect venue in our 208 meter track.
• Wrestling. We use a standing, push-only version where the only contact is with the palms of the hands.  As in sumo, you must simply make your opponent step out of a small ring. It encourages good athletic stance, and not just size and strength.
• Javelin.  Instead of spears, we throw footballs.
• Discus. Flying plastic discs (Frisbees) take the place of heavy metal ones.
• Archery. Bows and arrows are replaced by scoops and whiffle balls.
• Chariot Races.  This is always lots of fun, with snow sleds on the grass and the kids as “horses”!

Everyone will compete for their city-state in at least one event. Let the games begin!

We’re having lots of fun so far in PE this fall—even though the weather hasn’t been very fall-like!

In preschool, we have been playing games that work on locomotor skills: running, shuffling, going backwards, skipping, and introduced basics of throwing and catching.

In younger kids, we learned what a dynamic warmup is, worked on good athletic position and locomotor skills, and are learning more about our personal space.

Middle and Older kids have done all of the above as well as the ROOTS of sportsmanship. Now we have started on our Greek Olympics—more on that soon.

I’m pleased to announce that we’ll be adding the Rivendell Preschool to our PE schedule for the 2012-13 year. Each preschool class will have PE twice a week for 20-30 minutes.  I plan to use similar concepts and activities as I do for my Kinder Kickers soccer program, a very successful and highly regarded preschooler program I run at The Edge Sports Center.

We will explore physical movement, large motor skills, balance, personal space and working in a group environment, all in a non-competitive and fun way.

I’m excited and looking forward to working with the preschool classes this year!

I hope everyone has a great—and active!—summer.  Get out of the house and off the couch.  Ride your bike, go for a walk, go swimming, play soccer or baseball, go climbing or camping, take a yoga class, learn a new sport!  There are lots of fantastic activities available so I hope you take advantage of them.  Stop reading this on your computer and go play!  See you all in the fall.

Check back here for news and updates on what’s happening with Rivendell’s Physical Education classes.