Fitness+in+School


 * Fitness In School**


 * Proposal **

A twenty-one minute period at different points of the day used for exercising.




 * Alternate Solutions **

1) Having gym class every day or every other day. Pros: It would be made sure that everyone was getting more exercise. Cons: Academic classes would have to be shortened. 2) Recess 2)Recess Pros: Easy solution, familiar. Cons: Not everyone might actually exercise, it would shorten classes.

3) Make exercise a homework assignment. Pros: School time wouldn't be taken away Cons: Not everyone would do it, or might have time to do it.

4) Have open gym during Flex or make a free period during the school day when kids can use all the gym Pros: It would be made sure that everyone was getting more exercise since it's during school, but there wouldn't be the grades to worry about, except maybe a participation grade Cons: some kids might not do it during Flex because most kids do homework then but, there should be a period just for exercise.

5) A 7 day cycle. Pros: It wouldn't cost anything and we would have another gym class and another day of encore. Periods are not shortened. Cons: It would take more planning for encore.  6) Switch back to a 9 period schedule so we can have gym every other day. Pros: We would have gym class every other day. Cons: We would have shorter classes every day.


 * Research **

**// Facts //** ·  In fact, in studies that did show physical activity had an effect, increasing instructional time for physical education resulted in improvements in academic performance ·  A Canadian study examined the effects on 546 elementary students' academic performance of one additional hour per day of physical education. Students in grades 2 through 6 who received additional physical education earned better grades in French, mathematics, English, and science than did students who received the standard one period per week (Shephard, 1 996). ·  Giving students breaks for physical activity throughout the school day can significantly increase on-task behavior. A study conducted in North Carolina evaluated the effects of a classroom-based program that, for 12 weeks, gave students daily 10-minute breaks for organized physical activity. Researchers observed students in grades K through 5 for 30 minutes before and after each break. On average, the activity breaks increased on-task behavior by 8 percent. Among students who tended to be least focused in class, the breaks improved on-task behavior by 20 percent (Mahar et al., 2006). ·  Researchers don't understand well the physiological mechanisms responsible for enhancements in cognition related to physical activity. However, emerging evidence from neuroscience suggests that regular physical activity promotes the growth of new brain cells, stimulates formation of blood vessels in the brain, and enhances synaptic activity or communication among brain cells (Hillman, Erickson, & Kramer, 2008). http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/visual?vid=4&hid=11&sid=c8c6b6ae-3ad4-46e7-8171-eb72db0badbb%40sessionmgr12


 * //Interviews //**

// The Nurse**.** // 1. How much exercise do kids our age need?: "About 30 to 60 minutes a day." 2. Do you think we need more gym and or exercise? :yes, but ideally but it should be apart of you lifestyle play outside,walking places ect. 3. What are some benefits of exercise: sleep, feel heather,think positive (endorphins) stay healthy weight BMI, keep muscle mass,healthy bones, keep it as you age, heart health,lungs, circulation less chance of getting sick. //Mrs. Shay // (Gym and Health teacher.)

What do you think of the gym 2 days a cycle? "It is not the necessary amount per year." Do you think students are getting enough exercise "No, not at all" What do you think we should do about it? "Talk to administration"

Ms King (School Principal) 1. whaat do you think about the new schedule -longer periods are beneficial to gym. there for a good warm up and longer time for the activity less days is the issue not the time. ii would like more days. 2. do you think we should have more gym : " if it were possible to get past the barriers than it would be beneficial  3.  what are some problems that you would face by changeing gym from twice a cycle to every day/every other?- biggest is lack of space and teachers and to many other things that students have to take. we are not going to shorten periods again because that is good for all the classes.40 minuets is to short. all classes are 56 minuets, so there is 108 minutes of gym in a six day cycle" "For us I do believe in having a high quality program focused on personal fitness and developing lifelong fitness habits. Our challenge to do that is... we can't fit in more PE because we do not have enough teachers or places; you would have to remove things place and teaches. we are still looking at it. I am an avid supporter of physical education. There are other thing we can do to incorporate physical fitness across the board."


 * Action Plan **

3 minutes would be taken away from each class period and made into a 21 minute organized exercise period (or open gym, weight room, mat room, and fields) that is graded for participation. This period would be at different points of the day for each grade and would not be graded or posibley, extra credit for gym class. Only a few teachers would be needed to supervise.

Bibliography

"Trost, Stewart G., and Hans Van Der Mars. "Why We Should Not Cut P.E." Educational Leadership 67.4 (2009): 60. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 14 Jan. 2010."

King, Sue. "Prodject Gym in School Interview With Ms. King." Personal interview. 20 Jan. 2010

Shay, Beth. "Prodject Gym in SChool Interview With Ms Shay." Personal interview. 20 Jan. 2010.

Dawson, Tracie. "Prodject Gym in School Interview With Ms." Personal interview. 19 Jan. 2010.