Summer Activities Outside in Nature

Summer is here and a great time to keep learning about nature and exploring outside!!!

Here is a link to 8 environmental organizations offering hundreds of activity ideas:

https://www.nrcm.org/blog/kids-nature-activities-distance-learning-maine/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=512539e6-48ec-4750-8f4e-d12bb07aff63

Here are some examples of what they offer:

Nature Nuggets-short videos to guide you on ecological adventures.

Sit Spots, Sound Maps, Nature Walks and more from ME Environmental Education Nature Connections

Wolfe's Neck Center with tons of resources and activities.

EcoMaine and Recycling virtual tours.

Chewonki offering over 60 fantastic short video lessons, my favorites being the bird song segments and using binoculars.

Great job staying active and outside this past spring and hope you have a fun, safe summer!!  Remember to review the summer safety links from my last blog.

Summer Safety

Hi everyone! This week we will go back to some of our basic warm-ups:

Remember to keep active and try these activities on your PE day and challenge yourself to do it 2 or more days. 

 

Magic number is 17  this week. 

Warm-up:(Perform 17 of each or hold for 17 seconds)
Plank
Crab Kicks
Push-ups(wall or floor)
Jumping Jacks
Tree Pose
Crescent Pose(my favorite)
Can you do it 2x?

Jump Rope(If you don't have one try a piece of rope or mark a line on the floor to jump over-back and forth and sideways.  Try the 2 feet together jump.)
       *How many can you do in one minute?

Locomotor Skills:(Try these outside, in your garage, in a safe space where objects are moved aside)
Side SlideMarchingJoggingGallopingSkippingTip ToeHeel Walk

As SUMMER is fast approaching I want to talk about Summer Safety.  Since we will be outside ALOT biking, swimming, hiking, fishing and just playing in your backyard, keep in mind how to stay SAFE and have FUN!

Follow these guidelines to stay SAFE this summer:

* Always let an adult know what, when and where you will be playing.

*Always play with a partner if possible.

*Stay safe by following these suggested guidelines:

BIKE SAFETY: https://www.bikemaine.org/education/biking-basics/

WATER/SWIM SAFETY: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/water-safety.html

TICK SAFETY: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/bugs/factsheets/Maine-Home-Garden-News-July-2010-Tick-article.pdf

DEHYDRATION/HEAT EXHAUSTION:https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086

GET OUTSIDE AND PLAY!!!

IT'S GREEN OUTSIDE!

Take a look outside and you see green!  It is definitely Spring which means we will be spending a lot more time outdoors playing and exploring.

Last week we played Hopscotch.  I hope everyone had a chance to make their own hopscotch and maybe even challenged a family member to a game!  Some other activities we could play are frisbee and frisbee golf, jump rope, have a catch using a ball or a rolled up sock, kickball, tag games, hide and seek, four-square or two-square, riding your bike and this week I want to challenge you to creating your own Obstacle Course!

To set up an obstacle course in your backyard, look around at your space and get creative with what you have available to make it fun and challenging. Use  stones or an old 2x4 to create a balance beam, mark a pathway to run,  jump or crawl, set up a bucket to throw objects in.  Have a jump rope? Perform a magic number of jumps, run around, over and under objects.  Even perform yoga poses, locomotor movements or exercises such as jumping jacks and crab kicks.

Use your imagination and create your own Obstacle Course!

If you don't have an outdoor space, you can still turn a playroom, garage, basement, or even your kid's bedroom into an obstacle course. Set up different stations like pillows for them to jump over, a row of chairs for them to crawl under, or a line made from painter's tape on the floor for them to walk or run on while balancing a beanbag on your head.

Here are some links for ideas on both an indoor obstacle course and an outdoor obstacle course:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7V_uKNvxvk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS0v8uyR8CU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfB1nhHcy2A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NkJxXtGuAI

Please send me pictures of your obstacle course!!!

mmccauley@rsu1.org

Set up an obstacle course in the backyard. Get creative with what you have available to make it fun and challenging. Use garden stones or an old 2x4 to create a balance beam, mark a pathway for them to run or ride their bike on, set up a big bucket for them to throw a ball in.

If you don't have an outdoor space, you can still turn a playroom, garage, basement, or even your kid's bedroom into an obstacle course. Set up different stations like pillows for them to jump over, a row of chairs for them to crawl under, or a line made from painter's tape on the floor for them to walk or run on while balancing a beanbag on your head.

Spring Outdoor Activities

Now that you are spending more time outside since the days are longer,  think of all the different games you can play.  Try and name as many as you can.  I can think of a few examples: Frisbee, Badminton, Hopscotch, Four-Square, Kickball...

It definitely feels like Spring!  Warmer weather, more sunlight, it makes me want to be outside.  This week we are focusing on an outdoor game that you can play by yourself or with a partner.

Our game is Hopscotch:

Hopscotch helps children to manage body rhythm, which is the core of numerous other skills. Movements involved build body strength, balance, eye/hand coordination and more. 

To begin you will need to make a hopscotch court.  You can do this with chalk, tape or a stick to etch it in the dirt.  I prefer to make 10 squares(and you can use the number 10 area as a "rest").  You will also need an object to toss, such as a stone. 

There are various ways to make a hopscotch court,  just use your imagination or stick with the basic style. 

View the following links to see how to make one and how to play.

https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Hopscotch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ikg9qnWrDU

Challenge members of your family to a game!!!

Yoga and Fitness Monopoly

This week we will focus on Yoga as a warm-up and a Fitness Activity similar to monopoly.  Have your family join in and once you have tried the activities see if you can create your own monopoly fitness game! 

Yoga for PreK-2nd Grade:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXdIsoV737s

Yoga for Grades 3-5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A47zwWsjXgs

Here is the monopoly fitness activity:

Enjoy your week and remember to get OUTSIDE to explore nature and play!

Also-check out my newest slideshow about half-way through Spring:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VsBSmCI0y4

Has Spring Sprung?

Has Spring Sprung?

What have you noticed when being outside?  Have you seen signs of spring?  What about hearing or smelling signs of spring?  This week's lesson will be all about getting outside and finding signs of spring by using your senses(see, hear, smell).

Open up this link for an OUTDOOR SCAVENGER HUNT:

https://teachingmama.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SPRING-SCAVENGER-HUNT.jpg

Can you find all the signs of spring on the 2 sheets?  Can you find additional signs?  What are they?  Leave me your comments at the bottom comment section.

Don't forget to check out the video on outdoor activities from my last post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmPhdusG6Xk 

GET OUTSIDE, HAVE FUN, BE ACTIVE AND BE SAFE!

What's your favorite outdoor activity?

Check out this video on various outdoor activities!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmPhdusG6Xk

Let me know what you think.