Running a 5k using Music

In my last two blogs, I have discussed how to help students get the required amount of  physical education they need.  While in physical education class, I have been bothered by the number of students who do not like to participate in typical sports activities. This is okay, but I needed to find a way to engage all of my students.  The Wii and Xbox game systems provide an excellent way to engage my students in technology while providing a thirty to sixty minute workout. 

This class is different because it is a Fitness class.  This class is designed to teach you about fitness how it improves your body physically, but most importantly to find an activity that you can enjoy participating in.  Finding this activity can help to make a lifestyle change.  Knowing this, I started paying attention to how many students listen to and own an iPod or MP3 player.  Students love to listen to music while exercising.  I noticed that they have no trouble walking or running as long as they have music in their ears.  I did some research, and discovered that iTunes and several other programs provide free downloads for these music systems.  For example, in my class I want to teach you how important it is to workout your cardiorespiratory  system.  Students are always asking how to flatten that belly and improve endurance when exercising.  Running is also a great exercise especially while listening to music.  The problem is that some find it boring.  It can seem boring because you run in circles or you have nothing to listen to. 

 I have found out running is hard when you run by yourself  and you have not set a goal.  Your goal can be time, meaning I will run for 20 minutes for five days or distance meaning you place a number on the laps or miles you will run.  So I decided to try something new with this class.  We will be downloading the Couch to 5k from iTunes .  This program will provide the workout for each day and allow them to track their progress. 

As a teacher, I have established a goal for the class and will be able to assess their progress.  I believe that this tool will introduce you to a new way to exercise.  You will work at your own pace.  When you accomplish this goal a level of confidence and physical shape will be your reward.  I hope that this reward will be carried out for the rest of your life.  Thirty minutes of some type of exercise a day is important.  Maybe running will be your choice of exercise, but we will be experiencing other activities as well.  So get ready for our workouts and remember that everybody can work out and be successful in their own way.         

My YouTube Video

Using Student Friendly Technology for Fitness

In my last blog, I discussed how exercise is disappearing from your student’s schedules.  The decision to limit how much Physical Education your student is exposed to each day is leading to many problems such as obesity.  I decided that we need to provide a solution to get parents and students moving in the right direction.  As an educator, I decided to incorporate more technology into my classroom.  I’m not talking about heart monitors or pedometers; I’m talking about student-friendly technology.   Students struggle with making exercise something they enjoy.   It is time to move into the world of video game exercise.  During PE classes next semester, I will be providing ideas for your student on how to use Nintendo Wii and Xbox to improve their fitness.  These two companies offer two excellent systems that allow students and their families to exercise in a new way.  I know not all students enjoy the traditional PE class that involves running, playing a sport and stretching…and that’s okay!

                                                                         

                                                  

I hope to engage you in a video game workout that will allow more exercise and improve your fitness level.  The game systems we will use are already in most homes allowing students to share what they have learned with their parents.  If you do not have a video game system they can be rented at Rent-A-Center and workout and other active games can easily be rented at Redbox, Gamefly subscription, or Family Video.  If you are interested in purchasing a game system they are available at all major retail stores and can also be purchased new and used on eBay and at GameStop.   These video systems have a tracking program that will show each student and their parents their fitness level and how they are improving.  This is also a great tool for me, as I can assess each student’s progress. 

I hope you will enjoy this challenge.  Exercise has to be an essential part of our lives.  It is important that parents and students try to find some form of exercise that you will enjoy and participate in daily.  It is even better if you can find an activity to enjoy as a family.  This USA Today article discusses using Wii Fit in homes last summer as part of Nintendo's Family Fitness Challenge. 

This will be the first year I have implemented this fitness tool in my classroom.  I feel that it is important for parents to support and help their children.  Parents are role models and children copy and learn habits from them.  So why not have a family night to incorporate your 30 minutes of exercise?  Your student will be surprised and excited because you are engaging in their video world.  Remember, exercise can be fun and should not be dreaded.  Try to make it part of your lifestyle and it will become a habit!    

Students In America Need More Physical Education

              

 In the last five years, our school system has made some major changes in our cafeterias.   Mostly the change has been with the food that they serve our students.  Yes, it is important to look at how many calories a person consumes in a day.  So, no doubt that nutrition is an important part of students’ lives.  My question has been since the start of this process is this:  How can we change what students are eating and expect childhood obesity to decrease when a major part of the puzzle is missing…EXERCISE!!  We have started monitoring our children’s caloric intake but ignored the way their bodies burn those calories.  The American Heart Association indicates that elementary children are supposed to have 150 minutes of physical education each week, while middle and high school should have 225 minutes during that same time frame.  Sadly, only five states consistently abide by these standards and only 2% of our nation’s schools provide physical daily activity for students.

A recent article in USA Today discusses physical education and how it is being “squeezed out” of our students’ daily schedules because of budget cuts and testing.  The National Youth Risk Behavior Survey asked high school students about their physical inactivity and poor nutrition.  The findings showed that students who had no exercise and ate poorly scored lower in school.  With testing and required assessments, classroom teachers have so many other tasks and responsibilities related to their curriculum.  This causes them to lose concern with exercise, except when the energy is high in the classroom.  Exercise and physical activity are seen as time consumers that detract from instructional time, even though studies prove that exercise helps our students.  Not only does exercise help people avoid long-term health problems and control obesity, it improves academic performance.  We ask our students to remember and learn so much more because of all the demands from testing, but we are not increasing the physical activity they need to boost brain development!   

I believe that all students should have the time allotted for physical education EVERY day.  Studies show our children need this for academic success.  Fifty years ago, President Kennedy declared that exercise be a national priority.  What happened?  We are a nation of overweight, out-of-shape citizens.  Obesity levels are four times higher than they were in the 1960’s.  Our schools are supposed to support what’s best for our children.  Shouldn’t we, as President Kennedy said, make exercise a priority for our children to help them physically, mentally, and socially? 

Creating My Blog Page

I created my blog page while sitting by the pool in Mrytle Beach, South Carolina.  This is a new experience for me because I am not a facebook or tweeter user.   I am looking forward to using all this new technology.  I have to say that doing homework by the pool is not so bad.