February
is American
Heart Month. Many personal connections can be made with
students and their families regarding physical activity and
health when it comes to taking care of their hearts. Students
are bound to be affected by heart disease in some way, with
so many Americans suffering from it. Although we teach about
the heart during the entire school year, there are some extra
things we can do during American Heart Month to make it more
meaningful.
Heart Wall
One of the most meaningful and motivational
tools I used during American Heart Month was a bulletin board,
which expanded into entire walls. It was called the Heart
Wall. I used pink bulletin board paper and cut out red construction
paper hearts. Students, families, and school personnel were
asked to share photographs (optional) and names of loved ones
who had suffered from heart-related illnesses. We put their
pictures and their names on the hearts, and posted them on
the heart wall.
Sometimes this ended up taking more
than one hallway. I've used lots of different headings. Students
and faculty members would write messages like "I run
and play for [heart with picture and name of person],"
or "I eat healthy for [heart with picture and name of
person]." So many of the students, families, and faculty
bought into it.
Jump Rope for Heart and/or
Hoops for Heart
My school participated in Jump
Rope for Heart. If your school participates in JRFH or
Hoops
for Heart, then American Heart Month is a natural fit
for the fundraiser. The American Heart Association has great
ideas for teaching children of varying ages about the cardiovascular
system. Teaching rope-jumping skills is a great way to increase
the heart rate, and teach cardiorespiratory endurance. There
are so many different ways to jump rope, and children are
so creative that they make up new ways all the time.
Instant Activities
I liked to use instant activities geared specifically toward
my lessons. During American Heart Month, I liked to choose
instant activities designed to increase the heart rate, and
then take some time to talk about a "healthy heart."
I would give 3 age-appropriate, and hopefully interesting,
facts about heart health after the instant activity, and quiz
students regarding these facts throughout the lesson.
Special Events/Clubs
American Heart Month would be an opportune time to host special
events and clubs to get students, parents, and school personnel
more active. I had students complete a survey on which they
ranked the sports/activities they would most want to participate
in if they were offered. I chose based on their responses.
I was successful with a volleyball, soccer, cheerleading,
dance, and football club after school. Dance and walking clubs
seem to be very popular in other schools. Invite community
members in to teach yoga, dance aerobics, nutrition classes,
etc., to faculty. I have been successful getting YMCA staff
involved in schools.
A colleague had a fantastic walking program where each week
the students would go and walk with a senior citizen at a
nearby assisted living facility. The ratio was one student
to one senior, and the benefits of that are tremendous. Students
and the seniors were more active, and had time to communicate
with each other. Bonds were formed. This was a new form of
social interaction, and it was amazing to witness.
If it is not feasible for you to do this throughout the year,
maybe February would be a good month to promote physical activity
in the community and allow students to learn some valuable
social lessons. It doesn't have to be walking, and it could
certainly be indoors.
Exercise As a Reward
Try to use exercise as a reward instead of exercise as a
punishment. You can keep teaching skills, and use some aerobic
activity as a reward (i.e. "If you're able to hit the
target 8/10 times, you can jump rope for 2 minutes").
Students end up sweating during the entire class and continue
developing skills. Classroom teachers can use exercise as
a reward for students who completed their work, or achieved
the goals of their rewards system. American Heart Month is
a good time to get teachers to buy in to heart health
too!
Of course, most of the above mentioned ideas are great practices
for all year around, but if you're looking for special things
to do, maybe you can find success with one or more of these
mentioned here. Talk to other teachers in your area. You may
be amazed at some of the things they are doing in their programs.
February
is 