Wednesday, April 27, 2011

PE pacer test

The students pictured below were participating in the PACER test in PE last week. We had one Birch Meadow student break a school record completing over 100 "laps" of the PACER.

You can see the details of the PACER according to the web site http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/cardio/the-pacer-fitness-test.html

The PACER Fitness Test, also referred to as the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run test, is a fitness test designed to test your ability to stay on pace and stay in shape. In general, the PACER fitness test is used by young children in grades K-3, and by sports teams looking to gain an advantage and learn to pace themselves on the court or field. It is seen as being a particular effective test for younger children, because it's seen as a fun activity for them. It also helps them build up their self-esteem, because those children that finish last or are in the least shape actually finish the PACER fitness test first. It helps the kids stay in shape, too, but doesn't force them to run laps or sprint around the gym or field to do so.

How The PACER Fitness Test Works
Line up the runners at the starting line and press play on the CD. Each runner should then run the full 20 meters, touch the line at the end of the 20 meters with their foot and wait for the CD to beep. When it does, they can then pace themselves and run back to the starting place. Runners then wait for the next beep before repeating the run. They continue doing this until they cannot get to the next line before the CD beeps. The beeps will start off slow, so be sure to tell them to pace themselves before trying the PACER fitness test. Once they fail to reach the other end before a beep twice, they are finished.
Each 20-meter run counts as one lap. As a runner runs, have a partner handy to mark down each lap that he runs. Once he fails to make the run before the beep, they are finished. Their total laps is their total score. The CD contains 21 minutes or 21 levels of this. The highest score wins the PACER fitness test.


The time between each beep decreases every minute requiring students to increase their pace.



Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Arts Fest - Student art work and chorus

The following pictures are Birch Meadow art work which was on display at Reading Memorial HS during arts fest. Arts fest also included two chorus performances. The chorus performed for family and friends and a second performance welcomed attendees from across the country to the Blue Ribbon Conference held in Reading. If you would like to see our chorus perform please come to Open House on 5/25. The chorus will perform at 6:30 PM prior you having the opportunity to visit your child's classroom.








Biography Day and Pioneer Day

Grade 2 participates in Biography Day and Grade 3 students share their pioneer projects.








Tuesday, April 12, 2011

April news and updates - Blue Ribbon, Tech Sharing Day, etc.

BLUE RIBBON
Thank you to Marcia Greene from Blue Ribbon Schools who came to review the work done by Birch Meadow since our Blue Ribbon Survey last October. She was encouraged by the work being done by teachers, parents, and students. We are on the right path to become a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School. She is reviewing data and information from her visit and will report back to us about our progress. I will continue to share with you any new information.

Grade 5 Enrichment
We had "Lexington Minutemen" visitors who presented to the 5th grade about colonial history.





Blue Ribbon Presenters
Many Birch Meadow teachers presented education resources and content at Reading Public Schools National Blue Ribbon Conference. Congratulations to the following staff who presented at the conference: Jennifer Scribner, Beth Slater (twice), Jennifer Emmett, Melissa Fleishman, Rick Downes, Joanne Garelick, Jolene Tewksbury (twice), Kerry Mullen, Kristie Lambert (twice), Jan Rhein (twice), and parent Liz Rogers.

Technology Sharing Day

Thank you to the parents who attended technology sharing day. The pages below are links in response to the feedback forms which were turned in. We appreciate your support!
Parent comments and questions from technology sharing day
Web link for students to practice typing and technology directions for parents






Thursday, April 7, 2011

Technology Sharing Day

If the pictures below are not working, Click here to see the pictures from the Technology Sharing Day 2011.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The week in pictures 4/4 - 4/8


MCAS testing took place the past two weeks for grades 3, 4, and 5!



Tin Cup Adventures Enrichment Program for grade 3!



Hawaiian Music and Dance enrichment for grades K and 1!



Technology Sharing Day - Kindergarten


Walk to School Day!

Grade 3 Pioneer Day

Thank you to the PTO and enrichment volunteers for helping make Grade 3 Tin Cup Adventures a success. Follow this link to see pictures.