Page 4 - SN February - Grade 5

PE

MS. MARIJA DIMITROV

Dear Parents,
Fourth and fifth graders started their Gymnastics unit by watching videos of gymnastics routines to
familiarize them with the particular features of sports gymnastics. Students were introduced to the
disciplines (events) in men’s and women’s gymnastics, as well as to the basic scoring system. One
part of the score covers the elements itself (difficulty and connection value) while the other part co-
vers the aesthetics of the sequence (execution, composition and artistry). With this in mind, stu-
dents were encouraged not only to learn to perform the elements, but to work on finesse through
increased control of the body and its movements.
We began by reviewing basic skills and elements we learned in previous years, such as simple rolls,
balances and stances. Then, according to individual abilities, we continued with more advanced ele-
ments such as; handstand, cartwheel, round-off, front scale, straddle and dive rolls.
In addition, students began to explore possibilities for combining the elements and linking them with
different steps, jumps and turns in order to make their own gymnastics floor-sequence.
I was very glad to see students practicing with great effort and enthusiasm throughout the unit,
showing very good skills and body control. Although a few students displayed a little anxiety in trying
some of the elements, they overcame it and became more confident with each attempt.
Gymnastics is a great unit for students to challenge themselves and be risk-takers in practicing new
elements. Additionally, gymnastics teaches students about commitment to serious and sustained ef-
fort as a way to refine movement and improve performance.