This week in Physical Education we are talking about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the big island of Hawaii. Children are fascinated by volcanoes, so they have been very attentive to the discussion and video about Kilauea, one of two active volcanoes in the park, and one that has been continuously erupting since 1983. This volcano has added about 500 acres to the island due to the solidification of lava as it flows towards, and in, to the Pacific Ocean.
Children had fun in class doing an activity called Drum Fit. We used big exercise balls as drums and beat on them with rhythm sticks to make the loud noise of a volcano erupting. We added a routine to a Hawaiian song, Aloha, from the movie Lilo and Stitch, and the students did very well. They had fun with this activity.
At the end of the week, students returned to Hawaii to learn a dance called the Hukilau. Through the use of the hands, this dance tells the story of a Hawaiian village going out into the ocean and using nets to gather fish for a feast called a luau. Students wore Hawaiian leis and danced along to the music. Some of the children were so expressive. It was fun to watch. There is a video of the dance at the bottom of the page.
Mrs.Snyder's class displays their Hawaiian leis.
Moving hands like a fish.
Pulling in the fishing nets.
Mrs. Burcham's class does the Hawaiian Hukilau dance.
