By

Brian Ackland,   Highland Elementary School

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Topics:

Physical Activity Participation,  Teamwork

I created an optional fitness walking/jogging/running club at recess time. Students can move up to 4 laps (one mile) per day. This is a program that is based on student responsibility, self-motivation, and trust. They finish their laps and record the number on a chart outside my gym. They can also record their movement on their Fuel Up to Play 60 account. Once students reach a milestone...5 miles, 10 miles, 15 miles, and so on, they report to me to earn a prize for their hard work. This program runs for the entire year, but in Minnesota, the majority of the laps are completed in the fall and spring. :)

What improvements have you seen at your school?

My goal was to try to reach a target audience that doesn't have much to do at recess and give them an activity that they could socialize with friends, earn prizes, and exercise their brain for better classroom success!

How did students and adults work together as a team?

I had to create the fitness course, the record sheets and the bulletin board for recording. I needed support and supervision from other adults at recess since I am not outside. Finally, I needed students to start doing laps!