Coach Kevin Sheehan's Physical Education Class

  Meet Coach Sheehan!

*Coach Sheehan is one of the Physical Education specialists at the Sullivan Middle School in Lowell, MA.

*He grew up in Lowell and graduated from Lowell High School.

*He received his Bachelor's Degree from Plymouth State College, where he was a three-time All American Wrestler. He went on to coach the wrestling team at the college.

*Coach Sheehan has taught Physical Education in many different schools in the Lowell School system since 1997.

*The smile on Coach Sheehan's face is due to the fact that he just completed his Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Massachusetts- Lowell through the Lowell Program.

*In his spare time, Coach Sheehan coaches Pop Warner football and wrestling at the Sullivan Middle School and Lowell High School.

Mr. Sheehan’s P.E. Classes

The physical education curriculum at the Sullivan School is designed to promote a “Fit for Life” lifestyle.  There is a growing problem among the youth of America, that of a sedentary lifestyle. Fewer and fewer children become involved in physical activities during their free time.  They spend many hours each day playing video games, watching television or spending time on computer and internet activities.  The importance of physical fitness has been downplayed. 
Students in the 5th through 8th grades here at the Sullivan school will be presented with the idea that physical activities can come in many different enjoyable forms including exercise and lifetime leisure or sporting activities.  They will learn the benefits exercise has on many levels (physical, mental, social and emotional.)  Each child will be given the opportunity to serve as a role model and lead their fellow students in a specific exercise regiment that includes: warm-ups, flexibility stretches, muscular endurance/strengthening exercises, and a high impact cardiovascular routine plan. 
All students will be given the Presidential Physical Fitness Award tests once in the 1st quarter and then followed up in the 4th quarter to assess any improvements. All rules and safety regulations will be taught and reinforced throughout the school year.

 

What’s happening in Physical Education Classes?? Each year reviews and builds upon previous years learning activities!

• Grade 5-  
  • Fitness Plan
  • Exercise stations
  • Gross/Fine motor skills activities
  • Modified leisure/sport games
  • Creating Games- using jump ropes, hula hoops, balls, etc.
  • Learn sportsmanship, fairness, and self-motivation
  • Develop concepts such as spatial awareness
• Grade 6-
  • Fit for Life fitness Plan
  • Exercise line/leader- Learn through modeling
  • Calculating heart rates
  • Four basic components of Fitness
  • Contextualizing key vocabulary-use of word walls
  • Personal and Social competencies
  • Motor skill development
• Grade 7-
  • Perform Fitness Test
  • Participate actively in modified games
  • Learn the benefits of exercise
  • Calculate both resting and maximum heart rate
  • Design an individualized workout routine.
  • Cooperative games to build social skills
• Grade 8-
  • Pre/Post Fitness Test
  • Calculation of heart rate
  • Cooperative games/ Team sport-oriented games
  • Evaluate 5th/6th grade “Creating Games” projets
  • Fitness leaders for their peers
  • Be a referee!

 

Physical Education Modified Games/Activities happening in the 2011-2012 School Year

• Modified Basketball- skills and drills- passing, catching and dribbling, lay-ups, jump-shot, offense and defense skills
• Mat games-all on the mat- throwing, catching, offense, defense skill building, Jailbreak
• Gopher Ball- throwing, catching, maneuvering, Dynamite action, Watch your back
• Flag Activities, spacing, grabbing, dodging, kinesthetic awareness, offense/defense, Capture the Flag
• Bonkers- shooting, passing, catching, 3-2 defense, speed ball
• Striking games, kicking, base running, fielding, pitching, whiffle ball, soccer
• Madball- kicking, base awareness, counting, spreading out, tagging up, mazeball
• Ultimate ball-kick offs, scoring, end zone- Ultimate Frisbee
• Floor Hockey-Goalie, center, stick-handling, offsides, sideling players, scooter hockey
• Creating Games- In groups of 5 or 6 students make up their own games, rules, etc. and evaluating their feasibility
• Guard the pin, Watch the pin, #5 dice
• Mission Impossible- cooperative games
• Mat wars- team concept
• Bean bagging it
• Snag the bacon
• Volleyball-bumping, setting, digging, serving, spiking and rotating
• Team bowling
• Target ball
• Scooter ball
• Run the bases
• Team Relays- circle the wagons, Human hula hoops, dribbling, spot shooting, scooters, balloons, bean bags, batons and water
• Tag Games- whacker tag, freeze tag, cross the river, 3X’s a crowd, spine/toe tag, Pac man, fleece tag, crows/cranes, Space Tag
• Eliminator Hoops- use of music
• Obstacle Course-dual challenge-individually timed.
• Hand ball- Four Square, Volley, tennis,
• Free time-rules and regulations, learn how to make use of recess safely!