By

Robert Flynn,   Westbrooke Elementary School

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NFL Play 60 Challenge

Topics:

Physical Activity Participation

For our school, 60 minutes a day comes naturally. Our students come to PE each day with excitement to exercise. We use technology with pedometers and dance videos, along with an assortment of equipment to get a majority of their minutes during their school day. We have discussed the differences between light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity, and our students discovered and encouraged one another of the variety of ways to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity each day outside of PE. They have accepted the challenge and have shared with me the activities they do now to hit and go beyond that 60 minute mark! I am so proud of my students here at Westbrooke!

How did students and adults work together as a team?

Students shared success stories and encouraged one another of the variety of activities they could do with or without equipment. From playing tag around the house, to playing little league, to doing aerobics with mom on the weekends, the stories continue to come in. I have discussed with them ways to help with chores like washing the car and mowing the grass to increase their heartrates as well. The accountability has built a culture of health awareness within the school.

How did you accomplish your goals?

We had to make our goal known a couple of months ago to see some of the results. I thought it would take a little longer for that culture shift in our students' and teachers' minds, but they rallied around it and went for it. Many of them continued through spring break as well.

What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

The challenges we have faced with the students was getting 100% participation. Obviously there are still children that are weary of getting sweaty, but even today a child who has been "unable to participate" was antsy to participate with she saw how much fun her classmates were having. We are much closer with this initiative than we were before it.