This isn't your typical physical education class, Lavaca Elementary School Coach Jamie Patterson wants her students to understand being active, doesn't necessarily mean you have to play sports.
"That's our goal is to show the kids that it's not about being an athlete always," Patterson said. "It's about being active, being healthy, and feeding our bodies the right way."
This year, students are focusing on the cardiovascular, flexibility, and strength components of fitness. It's something students, like Derek Brown in third grade, are really starting to understand.
"You can live a really healthy lifestyle and live longer," Brown said.
When students go to PE, they run lap around the gym to music then loosen up and dance. Next are the stations, where students do anything from mountain climbers to boxing. Patterson said these are exercises they'll be able to use later on in life. The kids are also motivated outside of the classroom with a friendly competition called the Active Arrows. They get points for things like riding their bikes at home, hiking, or playing sports. They get double points if parents get active with them.
Fourth grade student Katie May is currently the point leader.
"I eat vegetables every night," May said.
Patterson also encourages students to meet weekly nutrition goals.
"The first one is to eat a fruit every day," Patterson said. "That shouldn't be too hard for them because we have fruit in our lunch room."
Coach Patterson ends each PE class with Yoga to get students minds and bodies ready to return to class.
"We take what we learn here and take it back in to the classroom to help them accelerate and be successful in the classroom as well," Patterson said.
At the end of the year, the active arrow student with the most points will be recognized at an awards ceremony.
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Sponsored by: Sparks Health System
