By

Arick Lockhart,   CATHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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Topics:

Teamwork, Student Leadership,  Physical Activity Participation

We had a curl-up competition. The red team competed against the blue team to see which team could complete the maximum number of curl-ups in a specific amount of time (5 minutes or 10 minutes). The students who scored the highest were rewarded. In 100% of our gym classes we see that the PE teacher is doing more rigorous exercise activities that include endurance building and muscle strengthening. During movement minutes in the classroom, we have noticed that students' endurance and energy levels have improved significantly by the amount of completed daily movement activities. Students can be found choosing and leading fitness activities with their peers in the classroom and in PE classes. Administrators, teachers and various school support staff get involved in endurance and movement activities throughout the school day. Some students have reported that they engage in fitness activities with their parents at home. Initially there was some resistance, but as time went on the entire staff got involved implementing fitness and movement goals throughout the school year.