Elementary Physical Education
Physical education plays a significant role in educating the whole student. This year the Walnut Farm physical education program continues to provide students with opportunities to learn motor skills, develop fitness, and gain understanding about the importance of physical activity through such as team building games, and yoga. Students are being provided a developmentally appropriate, personally challenging instructional program that will advance the knowledge, confidence, skills, and motivation needed to engage in a lifelong, healthy, active lifestyle. With the increase in obesity nationwide, the benefits gained from physical activity include: disease prevention, decreased morbidity, and premature mortality, increased mental health and self-esteem. The ultimate goal of this year’s physical education program will always be participation in health enhancing physical activity for a lifetime.
Outdoor Classroom
Summer is over, and the air is turning cooler. As the weather changes, so have the many activities that the children have participated in while working in the outdoor classroom. The students began this school year by harvesting the many varieties of vegetables in the vegetable garden that were planted last spring. As the harvesting of summer vegetables continued, students began planting fall bulbs (tulips, daffodils, etc.) before the first hard frost made its appearance.
As the leaves from the many varieties of tress began to change color and collect throughout the outdoor classroom, students enjoyed collecting leaves, making leaf imprints, making bark imprints, collecting black walnuts, and let’s not forget collecting acorns.
As winter has now arrived, the students in the outdoor classroom are preparing the gardens for spring planting, caring for our many wildlife creatures by ensuring that they are fed on a daily basis, and learning to understand that with the different seasons, the outdoor classroom environment changes.
Even if you do not enjoy cooler weather, there are many fun family-friendly activities to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature. Here is a list of activities that the students have put together to enjoy the outdoors this fall:
Go on a nature hike.
Make a collection of rocks, sticks, and interesting finds that are located around the
house.
Visit one of the many State Parks in Northwest Arkansas.
Make a pine cone bird feeder.
Make a bonfire and make S’mores.
Start to plan for spring planting at home.
