By

Kim Neese,   Charlie & Charlotte Mooneyham Elementary School

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Physical Activity Participation

Mooneyham Elementary started a jump rope team five years ago and it grows each year. Since so many students K-5 are interested in jumping, we decided to extend our jumping program. We decided to participate in the Jump Rope for Heart instead of Hoops for Heart to raise money for the American Heart Association this year and incorporated a "Jump Night" for our kickoff. Our Jump Teams performed and then they helped teach skills to other students from our school and their families. It was a huge success and got so many more students interested in jumping. Students were asking to borrow jump ropes for recess so we decided to "Ramp Up for Recess" by creating an organized way to have students borrow ropes and have specific areas just for jumping. We let students check out individual and long ropes. Our first grade teachers even helped create a schedule so that all students could jump at recess at least 2-3 time frames a week. It's been a huge success.

How did you accomplish your goals?

We accomplished our goal by getting kids interested in jumping with our "Jump Night" and planning and setting up an organized program "Just Jump" at recess so the students knew when and where they could jump.

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

Since the "Just Jump" program was such a huge success in such little time, starting February and still going strong and growing, we plan on extending next year. We will start at the beginning of the year and getting my jump teams involved with teaching skills. We also plan on buying more jump ropes and activities that appeal to the students.

What improvements have you seen at your school?

Since our Just Jump Program has started we have had many students including ones who are not too much into physical activity or sports get involved. The continue to try to get better and feel so successful when they improve.