Imagine a school setting where equal goals are assigned to reading, math, and physical activity? Leveling the playing field through equal priority given to academia and movement.
It is exactly what is going on in in Oklahoma at Steed Elementary School. Coordinated amongst all grade teachers students are called to master 26 math skills, learn 26 reading skills, read 26 books and RUN 26.2 miles! Yes, a full marathon - even if it is over time.
Teacher Christine Paradise says," the goal is to get the kids involved in more physical activities and running is a natural fit as they do it anyway."
The program's success is in students running and learning gradually. They keep journals on their progress and a teacher or parent verifies that each task is completed. Needless to say, students can run any time. The program is now implemented from pre-kindergarten through fifth grades. The finale will be for students to run the final 1.2 miles of their 'marathon' at a Kids Marathon in Oklahoma City.
Goals are pretty tough. One math assignment would be the mastering of the multiplication table. In reading it could mean the ability to understand inferences or main ideas. Ultimately the idea is to encourage students to keep going and persevere - A rare commodity now a-days.
The cool part is that several teachers have joined the program as well, setting 26 personal goals in addition to running a 'marathon'. Breaking it up in parts makes it easy and enhance the chances of success. Such programs teach life skills in addition to personal development, self-discipline, and intrinsic motivation. No fault can be found with this formula.
Michael Cordier
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Fatter than we thought!
US researchers declared that obesity among American children is much worse than previously believed, putting them at greater risk of serious health problems as they age. Begging the question where those researchers were hiding during the past 5 to 7 years?
The Journal of Pediatrics quoted a study of 700,000 student in southern California alone that found 45,000 students to be extremely obese (sounds like a new category) with boys leading the charge. Co-authored by Dr. Amy Porter of Kaiser Permanente, says that the study showed extreme obesity rising in almost every group (multi-ethnic study by age, race, and gender). This translates to 7% of boys and 5% of girls being extremely obese and 2% of all children under 5 years old. Previous research from federal health surveys suggested 3.8% of children were extremely obese.
The researchers pointed out that without major lifestyle changes, these kids face 10 to 20 years shorter life spans and will develop health problems in their 20's that we typically see in 40-to-60-year-olds. Scary thought!
And the bottom line? Two-thirds of all adults in the USA are overweight or obese. One third of all children in the USA is obese. The increasing risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses adds about $150 billion a year to US health care costs.
There is not single solution but a combination of more physical activity during the day, healthier nutrition, and participation in organized sports will be a good start.
Michael Cordier
The Journal of Pediatrics quoted a study of 700,000 student in southern California alone that found 45,000 students to be extremely obese (sounds like a new category) with boys leading the charge. Co-authored by Dr. Amy Porter of Kaiser Permanente, says that the study showed extreme obesity rising in almost every group (multi-ethnic study by age, race, and gender). This translates to 7% of boys and 5% of girls being extremely obese and 2% of all children under 5 years old. Previous research from federal health surveys suggested 3.8% of children were extremely obese.
The researchers pointed out that without major lifestyle changes, these kids face 10 to 20 years shorter life spans and will develop health problems in their 20's that we typically see in 40-to-60-year-olds. Scary thought!
And the bottom line? Two-thirds of all adults in the USA are overweight or obese. One third of all children in the USA is obese. The increasing risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses adds about $150 billion a year to US health care costs.
There is not single solution but a combination of more physical activity during the day, healthier nutrition, and participation in organized sports will be a good start.
Michael Cordier
Friday, April 9, 2010
Victory in Small Increments in Texas
Earlier this year the Texas Department of Education lowered the physical education requirements for elementary and middle schools as well as those applicable for graduation. A slew of substitutes to fulfill the PE requirement were also approved. Those included ROTC, cheerleading, or a sememster of organized sports.
The message sent by the Department did say much about their feelings and priority towards physical education. It also send a message to professionals who dedicated at least for years to formal education to become certified physical education teachers. A ground swell of advocacy took place in many districts and local school boards listened.
On March 25, 2010 the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees approved an amendment to Board Policy EIF (Local) Academic Achievement, keeping the local high school graduation requirement for Physical Education at 1.5 credits and the high school Health Education requirement at .5. So, although the state has reduced the requirement from 1.5 to 1.0 for Physical Education and from .5 to .0 for Health Education, the Dallas Independent School District will keep these requirements for our students entering the ninth grade during the 2010-11 school year and thereafter.
It is an a victory for passionate teachers and highlights the importance of physical activity and good nutrition. Let all of us continue the good fight.
Michael Cordier
The message sent by the Department did say much about their feelings and priority towards physical education. It also send a message to professionals who dedicated at least for years to formal education to become certified physical education teachers. A ground swell of advocacy took place in many districts and local school boards listened.
On March 25, 2010 the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees approved an amendment to Board Policy EIF (Local) Academic Achievement, keeping the local high school graduation requirement for Physical Education at 1.5 credits and the high school Health Education requirement at .5. So, although the state has reduced the requirement from 1.5 to 1.0 for Physical Education and from .5 to .0 for Health Education, the Dallas Independent School District will keep these requirements for our students entering the ninth grade during the 2010-11 school year and thereafter.
It is an a victory for passionate teachers and highlights the importance of physical activity and good nutrition. Let all of us continue the good fight.
Michael Cordier
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