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PE Blog

Staying Healthy On Distance Learning

11/1/2021

10 Comments

 
  When students enter independent study, gone are the days of dressing out in PE clothes, playing sports with their peers and running the mile every Friday.  Middle school distance learners must discipline themselves to plan and participate in 240 minutes of PE activities every week. This can be a challenge!  It is important though.  According to the CDC, physical activity can help teens improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle and bone development, and even prevent depression. It is possible, with a 
Picture
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little self-motivation and a focus on the mind/body benefits of exercise...independent study can be a healthy place to be. 
   The California Department of Education has PE content standards that guide what every California middle school student should be learning. The activities that home schoolers participate in should be aligned with these. They can be categorized into the following categories. Students should make sure to engage in these on a weekly, if not daily, basis.
  1. Sports Skill Mastery
  2. Cardiovascular Health
  3. Strength Training
  4. Flexibility
  5. Mind Body Health Connection
   The first of these encourages sport skill mastery.  This can include being on a sports team, participating in combative sports and even dance. Students who join a community sports or dance team find it easy to address this standard. Another choice is to sign up for a Karate class at your local team site.  If these don't work, grab your friends and family for a quick game of HORSE in the driveway.
DHS Youth Football and Cheer
Youth Soccer League
Youth Baseball
   Another set of standards focuses on maintaining a level of fitness to improve health and performance. Cardiovascular activities are a great way to do this.  Taking daily walks and jogs get the heart beating.  Youtube has thousands of fun work out videos that support the cardiovascular system through aerobics, kickboxing and dance. Have fun AND get a healthy heart!
     Doctors recommend 20-30 minutes of strength training 2-3 times per week. This strength training does not mean you have to join a gym, bench press a 100 lb barbell and down 125 mg of protein. (Although it is not a bad idea.) Get a cheap set of resistance bands off Amazon.  If that does not work, grab some canned food, bottled water, and your mom's heaviest frying pan. Even our bodies can be a source of resistance in strength training.  Sit ups, push ups and planks are great activities for creating a strong core.  Be creative and you can build those muscles too.
Amazon-Resistance Bands
   Sitting at a computer long hours can really tighten up those joints and muscles. Flexibility exercises are critical for an I.S. student.  Take a brain break at the end of every Edgenuity lesson.  Spend 5 minutes stretching.  Touch those toes and try a hurdlers stretch or two.  A stretching routine will not only bring blood to the muscles, but the brain too.
   Stress and anxiety reduction is key in these strange times.  Do not forget about the mind and body connection that keeps us healthy.  On some of those brain breaks do some deep breathing.  Maybe even try one of those Youtube videos that helps with relaxation.  Nature is also a major stress reliever.  Go for a hike and let those worries go.
  We are fortunate to work from home.  Take advantage of this by using this time to get healthy.  Focus on the 5 areas we discussed to create a healthy lifestyle. Make those 240 minutes  a week count!  Your body will thank you.
Week 1 Challenge: Choose one of the following  things we discussed to add to your weekly work out routine: 1. Join a sports team 2. Do a minimum of 12 minutes of the Billy Blanks video included here. OR 3. Go for a hike.  Once you complete the challenge, jump into the comments below and tell how this activity made you feel.  Have fun!
Work Cited:
PE Standards
CDC
Kids Health
10 Comments
Darci Syfert link
11/2/2021 10:26:16 am

I did Billy Blanks video and it really got my brain moving!

Reply
Jimmy Doty link
11/2/2021 10:28:47 am

The video got me going.

Reply
Carlos Lopez
11/4/2021 09:16:53 am

It's Barely November And I've Already Heard More Than A Hundred Christmas Songs.

Reply
Perla Avelar
11/4/2021 11:15:13 am

I loved this workout/ boxing.

Reply
Gloribeth cortez
11/4/2021 11:15:29 am

it was a great video it made get energy.

Reply
Aiden Angulo link
11/4/2021 11:50:03 am

The billy blanks video got me going.

Reply
Isobel H. link
11/9/2021 10:19:12 am

My obstacle is my time. I have so much to do in one day that at the end of the day i'm too tired that i just wanna go to bed. My plan is to set time away for each day or at least 1 day for a workout.

Reply
Richard Madain
11/9/2021 10:19:52 am

It gives me energy

Reply
Ethan Avalos link
11/9/2021 10:20:08 am

One obstacle is my time I usally have a lot of stuff to do so I will try to fit it in my schedule.

Reply
Aiden Angulo link
11/9/2021 10:22:13 am

My obstacle is reminding myself to do things. my plan is I will write a reminder

Reply



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    Darci Syfert, Ursula Fabiano and Vicki Jones are teachers at Desert Learning Academy in Palm Springs, CA.

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  • About Us
    • Contact
    • Curriculum
    • Meet Our Students
    • Counseling
  • How do I enroll?
  • Schedules and Tutoring
    • 6th Grade Schedule & Support
    • 7th Grade Schedule & Support
    • 8th Schedule & Support
    • High School Math Schedules
    • High School Tutoring
  • Getting Started
    • Student Orientations
    • Tier System
    • Enrollment
    • Edgenuity Student Log In
    • Parent Portal
    • Document Upload
    • PE Blog
    • WOOP Goal Setting
    • Synergy Parentvue Sign Up
    • Jungle Tiger Mindset
    • Physical Education
  • Enrichment
    • Virtual Calming Room
    • Art Class
    • Middle School Blog
    • 8th Grade Lobby Projects
    • Adopt A Bighorn 7th Grade Project
    • Leadership
    • 8th Grade Final Project
    • My Access Writing
    • Promotion 2023
    • District Calendar
    • Good Memories