Be a 50 Million Strong by 2029 Champion – Part 2

(Editor’s Note: This is the second of a three-part series in which Angela shares the strategies that she has used to get her students physically active and healthy. Be sure to check the other issues of pelinks4u to learn about additional strategies.)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children and adolescents aged 6-17 participate in 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day (CDC, 2015). In recent years schools have been called upon to expand their efforts to increase physical activity opportunities. In the last issue, I shared some of the ways that I helped my school reach these goals. I gave details about events that took place in my physical education program, which helped motivate my students to be more physically active. Although I found success in my physical education program in getting kids more active, I realized to help the children I taught reach the goal of 60 minutes a day, they would need more time to be physically active outside of my physical education class. Here are some examples of the ways I achieved this before, during, and after school.

Physical Activity During School

When I chose to incorporate a coordinated approach in my physical education program, I knew that I had to identify more time for physical activity during the school day. Recess was an obvious opportunity, so I began to focus on quality recess in which all students were active. I quickly realized the only other time for physical activity outside of recess and P.E was classroom time. I knew it would be a challenge to discuss the topic of physical activity in the classroom without doing my research. I became very interested in the role that physical activity plays in learning. Once I shared what I learned with my administration and classroom teachers the doors slowly started to open. The students began to participate in physical activity breaks in the classroom.

I challenge you to go beyond your physical education class. Seek out ways to get your students more physically active during the school day. There is no shortage of research on physical activity and learning. Use the research!

Exercise Class of the Year
“Exercise Class of the Year” was a yearlong challenge that encouraged each class to be physically active. Students, teachers, and parents had opportunities to earn points for their class through activities including Bring Your Parent to PE Week, Faculty Mileage Logs, Sports Day, and Word of the Month. Each year the “Exercise Class of the Year” banner was presented to one class in each grade level (3rd-5th grades)

Benefits:

1. Students, teachers, and parents all share the common goal of being physically active.
2. Students love to see their parents and teachers being physically active.
3. Teachers and parents become more knowledgeable about the content being taught in physical education.
4. Class unity!

Suggestions:

1. IMPORTANT: Present the idea to classroom teachers before presenting the idea to your students. Every classroom teacher at each grade level has to be onboard.
2. Make sure to have all activities in the “Exercise Class of the Year” planned out in advance.
3. It is important to keep the excitement going. Don’t allow too much lag time between events.
4. Make sure all the events are on the school calendar. It is also a good idea to advertise the events early in the school newsletter, or other forms of communication.

Camp Write Along
Each year Travis students participate in Camp Write Along as a way to prepare for standardized tests. During the camp, students participated each day in physical activity as a way to be more focused for learning.

Benefits:

1. Teachers and students have the opportunity to better understand the role physical activity plays in learning.
2. Teachers can see the benefits of physical activity time in the classroom.

Suggestions:

1. Be prepared to answer questions about the role physical activity plays in learning. The teacher will look to you as having expertise in the area.
2. Ask the adminsistration to allow time during a faculty meeting to discuss with teachers the importance of physical activity time in the classroom.

Physical Activity Before and After School

At Travis Elementary there were a significant number of students who were on the school grounds when school was not in session. With the goal of 60 minutes of physical activity in mind, I decided to take advantage of the time the students were around before and after school.

Kid Aerobics
Kid aerobics was an after-school program designed to get kids excited about exercise and nutrition. Each week the kids discussed nutrition, healthy habits, and worked on creating a workout video. On the last day of kid aerobics the kids brought in their favorite healthy snack to share and exercised with their parents to the video they made!

Benefits:

1. Students have the opportunity to learn about nutrition and healthy habits.
2. Students work together to learn more about exercise and create an exercise video.
3. Parents and children have the opportunity to exercise together!

Suggestions:

1. Be prepared to help students with making the exercise video.
2. Make the last day of the program exciting! Encourage all parents to join in exercise time.

After-School Sports
Travis Elementary students participated in kickball, football, basketball, and track & field competitions against other students in the school district. The after-school sports allowed students to practice sport skills. Participants also had the opportunity to enjoy meeting students from other schools.

Benefits:

1. Students had the opportunity to meet students from other schools in the district.
2. Fun.friendly competition!
3. School unity!

Suggestions:

1. Don’t try to plan the sport events at the last minute.
2. Communication between schools is important. Communicate often.
3. Games should be on a master calendar that is shared with all participating schools.
4. Encourage team unity and school pride.
5. Make sure the date and time of the sports events are on the school calendar. It is also a good idea to advertise the events early in the school newsletter or other forms of parent communication.

To be a 50 Million Strong by 2029 Champion it is imperative to step outside of your comfort zone. This often means providing physical activity opportunities outside of your physical education class. Be sure to check back next month for the conclusion to this three-part series on ways that you can become a 50 Million Strong Champion.