Health & Fitness Curriculum - Information and Help
An understanding of good health and fitness concepts and practices is essential for all students.
Curriculum Information
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
http://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/healthfitness/default.aspx
Essential Academic Learning Requirements
http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/healthfitness/ealrs.aspx
Tips for Helping Students
- Limit TV/video game use and encourage more active activities.
- Set aside ten minutes in the morning or evening (or right after school) to get your heart pumping. Be creative with the activities: walk up and down the stairs 5-10 times, do lunges, jump rope, try a few abdominal crunches.
- Use household items to create a workout. Use soup cans as dumbbells or run in place while watching your favorite TV show.
- Get active during commercials. We all enjoy the show, but try doing abdominal crunches during the first commercial break, pushups during the second break, jogging in place during the third break, etc., and see what happens!
- Start your day off with a 25 minute cardiovascular workout. Workout at the gym or in the convenience of your living room. Home exercise DVD and VHS tapes can be cheap and effective.
- Start an exercise journal. Jot down the type of exercise, duration, location, and how you felt when you were finished. You’ll be surprised how much it helps you stay on track.
- Post a calendar on your refrigerator and mark down the days and time you and your family members will exercise.
- Take it week by week. Sit down every Sunday with your family members and determine a weekly plan. (Try to work out 3-4 days a week for 30-60 minutes.)
- Know your habits, and set reasonable (yet challenging) goals. But don’t set yourself up for disappointment by setting the bar too high.
- Stay focused and give it time. Physical fitness has numerous benefits, but the physical effects will not be apparent overnight. Stick with your exercise program and you should see results within 4-6 weeks.
- Avoid dramatic changes to your daily routine. Incorporate exercise with small steps, and gradually increase your workout as time passes.
- Be creative! Ask your kids to make up a game, and don’t be afraid to try new things.
- Make exercise a priority for everyone in the family, and don’t expect your children to want to exercise while you camp out on the couch.
- Get educated! Share a health-related article (or two) with the family, then open it up for discussion.
- Stick with what works! Recognize what you and your child like and dislike, then do the things you enjoy.
- Calm down, and avoid overbooking yourself and your family. Often times we overload ourselves with too many commitments, appointments, and activities. Prioritize, and keep physical fitness high on the list.
- Water, water, water! Although we are more compelled to drink water after our workout, don’t forget to get plenty of water 15-30 minutes before you lace up your tennis shoes.
- Wear proper footwear. Avoid shoes that do not provide proper support, including flip flops and sandals.
- Take care of your body, and feel more in control.
PTSA Enrichment Activities
Third Grade Swim Lessons
Hawk Walk and 5K Run
Jump Rope for Heart
Links
President’s Challenge for Fitness
http://www.presidentschallenge.org/
Everyday Health for Kids
http://take2kidshealth.com/program.php
Jump Rope for Heart
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2360