Vote for this Best Practice | Email to a Friend

Teacher: Kera Williams who teaches at Fisher Elementary School in Pasadena, TX. Kera Williams can be contacted at coachkera@yahoo.com.

Name of Best Practice: Grandparents Day

Rationale/Purpose of Event: To bring families into the school to give them a sample of what goes on in the daily lives of their children. From the physical educators perspective it provides the chance to showcase in person what the children are learning and doing in the physical education class.

Suggested Grade Level: K-5

Materials Needed: Flyers sent out, Sign-in tables, ID checkers (security purposes)

Grandparents Day

As was stated in the purpose above this day allows families to attend our school to give them a sample of what goes on in the daily lives of their children. Grandparents (and other family members) are allowed to come spend the day with their grandchildren. They go to their classes, eat lunch with them, and to top it all off, attend a joint Physical Education/Music program. This part of Grandparents Day is a huge event.

To prepare for the program, students are taught various songs, dances, and movement activities. They dress up and perform for their family in the gym. We try to align the music and PE portions (e.g., Patriotic theme, Colorful, Time line - activities that address history with dances and songs from different eras).

To coordinate this joint venture with the music program the music teachers and I meet during our conference time for about a week in October and decide if there is to be a general theme or a theme for each grade. We then decide on costuming and what to teach the kids, props to use, and if we want to see certain physical education equipment being used. We then make up the dances and other routines. Once that is done, we come back together and put the program on paper to hand to parents at the door.

Last year we showcased parachute routines to N'SYNC music, ribbon dances to Aaron Carter music, Lummi Sticks to A*Teens music, and various line and partner dances in costume. The music teacher did seasonal and patriotic songs such as "De Colores" and "America the Beautiful". The families seem to really enjoy this event and we look forward to each year.

To publicize the event promotional flyers are sent two weeks prior to the performance. We also a mention the event in the campus calendar that goes out at the beginning of the month. The event takes place on the day before kids are released for Thanksgiving holiday, therefore it is not set on the traditional Grandparents Day which is in September.

Vote for this Best Practice
(Any Practice receiving 5 Votes earns Blue Ribbon Status on PEC)

Email this best practice!


Posted on PEC: 10/7/2001 and has received 60 votes.

Post a Comment:

Let others know how this idea went when you implemented/tried it with your kids. Include any variations, suggested teaching tips, positive comments, etc. so others can benefit from your tips. Please be helpful and positive with all comments. Look below to see all posted comments.

 

Name:
Comments:
 

Previous Comments:

There are currently no comments to display. Be the first to add a comment!


[Back to Best Practices Menu]