Physical Education

Welcome to Mrs. Spector's Web Page

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE HUNDREDS OF PICTURES

OF OUR 08-09 MARVELOUS MERIDIAN STUDENTS IN ACTION

(09-10 pictures coming soon)

http://www.d102.org/~sspector/site/welcome.html

Welcome to my web page. I am very excited to be teaching this year at Meridian Middle School with Mrs. Mittelman. Together, we look forward to sharing a fun and exciting year with you.

A little bit about myself. I received my Physical Education Degrees (Elementary & Secondary) from the University of Illinois (GO ILLINI!) and my Master's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University. I am married with two children. My favorite sport is ice hockey and I played and coached hockey for many years. In 2005 I was very proud to be inducted into the Inaugural Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame! Here is a picture of me receiving my award.

(AHAI Director Norm Spiegel presenting award to Mrs. Spector)

Please feel free to visit my web page often. I will be updating pictures of our Marvelous Meridian Students in action in physical education class soon. At this time, you can read the updates about what we are doing in P.E. presently and you can view many pictures from our wonderful 07-08 & 08-09 years on the link above.

Newcombe/volleyball started today and will continue for three weeks. Our fifth graders have learned the underhand serve and are busy playing Newcomb. Our sixth graders have learned the underhand serve and the forearm pass. They are keeping busy playing different teams each day in our volleyball unit. Our fifth graders will learn the forearm pass next and start playing volleyball. Our sixth graders will learn the 'set' and the overhand serve. We will end the unit with tournament play.

I was proud to participate in the "LIGHT THE NIGHT" Walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma tonight in honor of one of Meridian's own, Kevin Tracz. Thanks to the generousity of my family and friends, I raised over $1,000.00 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This is a picture of Kevin, my husband Mr. Spector and myself in front of the 'Team Kevin' sign. Incase you didn't guess, Kevin is the one in the middle!

FITNESS TESTING will begin on Monday with curl-ups and the trunk lift. Tuesday we will be running the PACER. On Wednesday & Thursday, we will be doing the Sit & Reach and the Flexed Arm Hang. THE CHOICE IS YOURS . . . . You can start working out and practicing now, or you can wait and start on Monday. THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

September 22nd - October 8th

SOCCER kicked off this week with skills and some soccer skills practice games. We divided into our new teams and will begin team play on Friday. Looking forward to a great time and hopefully some good weather!

September 2nd - September 18th

We are into our FLICKERBALL unit! After practicing throwing and catching a football, our students were eager to learn the rules of FLICKERBALL and get on teams. Using a football, the game of flickerball is played inside or outside. Teams try to score points by throwing the football to their teammates without dropping or having their throw intercepted by the other team. Points are tallied by adding up the number of different people who touched the ball during a series when a successful touchdown is made.

Our TEAM BUILDING unit was a real success. We started out the year, working together and having fun trying new some TEAM BUILDING challenges and playing some fun games. Which challenge did you like the best? The atom transfer, the colored ball maze, the marble channel or one of the other challenges? Here are a couple of pictures;

Our first FUN FITNESS FRIDAY found our students participating in a 2 X 2 fitness program. Students exercised at different stations around the gym with a different partner each time. They learned to take their pulse before exercise and after exercise. Students who return their work-out sheet with 5 addtitional signatures (after exercising 5 additional times) will receive a PRIDE SLIP! We were very proud of the great workout the students put forth, for themselves and their friends.

INFORMATION FROM 07-08 YEAR

Thank you for a wonderful year. You are just terrific. Although Field Day was inside this year, we had a great time. To my sixth graders . . . I look forward to hearing great things about you over at AJHS. Please keep in touch. You know where to find me. To my fifth graders . . . I am looking forward to another great year here at Meridian. More exciting and fun times in Meridian Physical Education! Be well and have a great summer.

SOFTBALL outdoors and Whiffle Ball indoors

Teams have been selected. Let the games begin!

TRACK & FIELD BEGINS Monday, April 21st

Fitness Testing began on Monday, April 14th. Where do you fit in?

April 7 - 11th was our ROLLERBLADING Unit. One week of great fun and great exercise. The ability of the students ranged greatly, from total beginners who had never skated before, to advanced skaters who could skate backwards, jump and turn! Regardless of their ability, all of our students participated and had a great time. Even Mrs. Spector and Mr. Grande skated! Miss Kagan made a guest appearance on Friday. We may see her performing soon with Disney on Ice if they decided to perform

Are you ready for the OLYMPICS? Well, they are finally here. March 31 - April 3rd will tell what countries will be on the winners podium! You've made your team's FLAG, now get ready for some exciting and challenging events.

Thursday, March 20th, is C.V. DAY. Have a great Spring Break!

A little birdie told me that there was a change of plans! BADMINTON is here. Get into the swing starting Monday, March 3rd, with our badminton unit. We are sure to have a real racquet!

March 10th

We are in week two of our badminton unit. The teams have been made and tournament play has begun. Each day your team will play two games. Before class, check in the hallway outside of the gym to see who your team will be playing that day. Remember, all serves must be underhand and the boundary lines are part of the court (so if your birdie lands on the line, it is good). Keep up the great work and congratulations to all teams on their outstanding show of sportsmanship.

February 4th, 2008

Today begins our floor hockey unit. Stickhandling, Shooting, Passing, goaltending . . . she shoots . . . she scores! After we practice some of the hockey/goaltending skills, we will start playing games. All students will get the opportunity to play offense, defense and goalie. Do you know who the goalies best friend is? If you guessed the post, then you are correct!

We are back to our "Muscle of the Week" every Friday, so check out our bulletin board located as you enter the gym. Are you working your Fitness Plan? Pride slips will be awarded to students who bring in their 'signed' fitness plan at the end of each month.

January 28 - January 31

Our Bowling Unit was so much fun. In addition to learning the proper way to hold a bowling ball, our students also learned the three-step approach and proper form when bowling. Thursday and Friday the gym was filled with excitement as we participated in a two-day tournament. Each frame there were less and less gutterballs, as the students didn't want to "gutterball giddy-up!" Congrats to all the students on a terrific bowling unit!

Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your family! We are presently in our Health/Basketball unit. Every other day the students have either Health or Basketball. We have asked the students to review their health handouts over Holiday Break as we will be having a mid-term test at the end of the week when we return from break. My 5th grade classes and my 6th grade girls will have Health when we return to school on Monday, January 7th. I look forward to seeing you then.

September - December

2007 went by very quickly! Thank-you Mr. Grande for the warm welcome to Meridian Middle School. Flickerball, Soccer, Fitness Testing, Dance, Volleyball, P.A.T. Days, S.O.S.A.'s, C.V. Days, health class, basketball . . . 2008 promises to be filled with more great activities and fun.

(Mr. Grande and I dressed the part for our Meridian P.E. Dance Party)