Feb., 2017                                                                                               

                                                                                    

                                                   

        I look forward to a great new year and to help all of my students grow! If you have any questions please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Jeffrey.brooks@pgcps.org or by phone through the school at 301-350-6002.

Reminder:  

        A key element that contributes to students success and well-being is safety. While in PE class, students need to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Clothing should be conducive to movement. My recommendation is for students to wear athletic shoes, however, if your child does not have athletic shoes, it is important that the shoes your child wears has laces or velcro style straps. It is also important that shoes have a back that goes over their heels and rubber soles are important. If you are not sure, please feel free to contact me and ask. I am happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Healthy Habits Starts at Home

       The American Heart Association is working to help kids and families live heart-healthy lives. Help your child develop healthy habits early in life that will bring lifelong benefits.

Know your numbers

Talk to your healthcare provider today to learn about your Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Blood Sugar and BMI (Body Mass Index). Your heart depends on it.

                                                                          

Physical Education

  Mr. J. Brooks       (Twitter)-@MrJB_16            

         As you gain practical tips on helping your kids eat nutritious meals and enjoy a physically active lifestyle, be sure to apply these same behaviors to your own life. The best way to lead your child to a healthy lifestyle is to set a positive example yourself. Be a good role model. You don’t have to be perfect all the time, but if your kids see you trying to eat right and getting physically active, they’ll take notice of your efforts. You’ll send a message that good health is important to your family. Get the whole family moving; plan times for everyone to get moving together. Take walks, ride bikes, go swimming, garden or just play hide-and-seek outside. Everyone will benefit from the exercise and the time together. Limit TV, video game and computer time. These habits lead to an inactive lifestyle and excessive snacking, which increase risks for obesity and cardiovascular disease. Limit screen time to 2 hours per day. Encourage physical activities that they’ll really enjoy; every child is unique. Let your child experiment with different activities until they find something that they really love doing. They’ll stick with it longer if they love it. Make dinner time a family time. When everyone sits down together to eat, there’s less chance of children eating the wrong foods or snacking too much. Get your kids involved in cooking and planning meals. Everyone will develops good eating habits together and quality time with the family.

 

          

January 2017

10 Tips to Achieve Your New Year’s Fitness Goals:

 

1. Exercise with an exercise buddy

2. Have a plan with realistic goals

3. Start slow, then begin to increase intensity

4. Log your workouts and/or food intake

5. Make it fun, try new exercises or forms of exercise

6. Create a new playlist for motivation

7. Rest your body with a good night sleep

8. Take the stairs

9. More fresh food choices and less processed foods

10. Drink more water and less sugar drinks

 

What you need to know

The rates of childhood obesity and inactivity are clearly on the rise and if we hope to combat this epidemic, we must take action NOW.

Research shows that without the development of physical literacy, many children and youth withdraw from physical activity and sport and turn to more inactive and/or unhealthy choices during their leisure time.

Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in ensuring that their child is provided with ample opportunities to develop physical literacy.  As a parent, you can ensure that your child has access to a range of opportunities to nurture their development.

  Mr. J. Brooks             (Twitter)-@MrJB_16             

Fundamental Movement Skills

 The development of fundamental movement skills and motor skills is critical to establishing the foundation for participation in many sports and physical activities.  A child who has not had the opportunity to develop these basic motor skills experiences difficulties or barriers when participating in sport experiences or later school-based programs that involve more difficult skills.

Communication

Parent Support System:

In order for me as the physical education teacher to implement an effective curriculum we need parent support. Please review the ways that you can help nurture the physical fitness lifestyle for your children so that they are excited about what we do in PE classes.

 

Support and Reinforce:

• When you reinforce what I do in class each day, the students will find more value in it.

• Include your children in shopping trips and meal preparation so they can discuss family practices in class when we discuss healthy lifestyles.

• Encourage your children to actively work toward their goals so that they develop perseverance.

• Students are sometimes unwilling to participate because they are afraid to try, and I am working to ensure that they feel support and encouragement as they participate. Please reinforce the need to try.

• Remind students to keep their belongings safe and not to bring valuable or non-valuable items to Physical Education classes.

         (HAPPY HOLIDAYS!)

  Mr. J. Brooks              (Twitter) @MrJB_16            

Communication:

• Most teachers want to talk to parents about their children’s progress.

• If there is ever a concern, please contact me directly so that I can discuss the issues with you.

• When students are unable to participate in class, please be sure to provide a doctor’s note with detailed information so that I will know how to work with your children when they are able to return to school and activities.

Be Active:

• Encourage your children to be active by engaging in physical activity at home during the week and on the weekends.

• Create opportunities for family activities that revolve around a healthy lifestyle and physical activities like walking, running, bicycling, playing catch, cooking meals together, and etc.

• Ask your children what they are doing in their Physical Education classes. Parents you are invited to visit a class if you are available. Contact your child’s Physical Education teacher and the school if you would like to visit.