Hi everybody:
Last month I encouraged
you to visit our new website (sparkpe.org).
How do you like it?
One of our favorite new
features is the "Grant Finder."
Using this tool, it's easy to find $$$ for YOUR physical education, after
school, early childhood, or coordinated school health
programs.
And speaking of grant
money, if your group is submitting for the Communities Putting Prevention to Work Initiative, I hope you'll consider collaborating
with us at SPARK. We've worked with over 100 grant recipients over the
years -- so we've gotten
pretty good at it. Any questions or just need some
help? Call or email us anytime at 800-SPARK-PE or spark@schoolspecialty.com.
All of us at SPARK
appreciate the opportunity to provide evidence-based resources for YOU -- and
-- help you obtain the funding you need to enhance your programs.
Be
well, |
Robbing from PETE to Pay Paul
By Paul Rosengard
I recently attended the PETE (Physical Education Teacher Educators)
conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This was a NASPE sponsored
event, a bit of a rarity; held only every 3 years. The last PETE
gathering occurred in Long Beach, significantly more convenient for
Thom McKenzie and I.
While only several hundred people were at the 2009 PETE, those in attendance were among some of our best and brightest...
(This is an excerpt from the latest SPARK Blog. Click Here to read the rest of this article)...
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Don't Miss Our November Webinar:
"More Activity, Fewer Distractions"
Is it true what they say about that "one
bad apple in the bunch?" We all know there are many different kinds of
apples in our classes, and none of them are rotten to the core! Some
may be a little sweeter than others, but all contribute to a healthy
bushel!
This webinar will present strategies that
increase appropriate behavior while minimizing distractions that
disrupt the learning process. You'll leave with easy to implement ideas
designed to make your busy life easier, AND ensure your activity
lessons are fun and engaging for ALL your little pippins!
Attendees will learn techniques designed to:
-
Increase desired behaviors while keeping students on task -
Decrease inappropriate behaviors and maximize activity time Hold students accountable throughout the process
And leave the webinar with access to FREE lesson plans you can use with your students the next day.
When: Wednesday, November 18th at 3:00 pm Pacific Time
(Note- the SPARK Webinars are now the 3rd Wed. of every month- Principle of 3's!)
Who: Grades PreK-8 teachers and administrators, PE specialists, after school and early childhood teachers and staff
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: Free!
Registration: Click Here to register
Click Here for recordings of previous SPARK webinars __________________________________________________
Attention all California Educators:
Help CAHPERD Break a World Record!
(and break a sweat at the same time)
On February 1, 2010 at 9am, CAHPERD, in partnership with the American Heart Association and Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports, plans to lead Californians of all ages in an attempt to break the World Record for:
"Most People Jumping/Skipping Rope at the Same Time!"
Currently, the World Record is held by Australia at 59,000 people. CAHPERD hopes to lead over 80,000 people (in celebration of CAHPERD's 80th Birthday) in "Jumping Over the Record from Down Under!"
Click Here to learn more about this exciting event... ______________________________________________________________
Dr. Andy Baldwin & SPARK's Ellen Ormsby Finish 420-mile Bike Ride Across PA!
Photo: Can you tell which one is Ellen?
The following is from SPARK Program Consultant Ellen Ormsby:
If only we
had more Dr. Andy Baldwins in the world.
Led by Dr. Andy
Baldwin, a team of riders (including myself) set off on October 4th
from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to raise awareness of the serious health risks associated with
childhood obesity. The plan was to bike a
total of 416 miles across the state of PA from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and
highlight the importance of physical activity and good nutrition as a solution
for childhood obesity. As a Navy medical doctor and an advocate for healthy
lifestyles, Dr. Baldwin assists
the Surgeon General with a national program to combat childhood obesity. He speaks directly to...
Click Here to read what happened during the ride! ____________________________________________________
Quitman Middle School
Overcomes Obstacles
Quitman County Middle School - Marks, Mississippi
In early October, Quitman Middle School hosted a special school community meeting, where parents and distinguished guests from the United States Senate and House of Representatives heard about the changes they have made to create a healthier school environment, despite significant limitations and challenges.
Although the school does not have a gymnasium, all physical educators in the district participated in SPARK training and all students now have...
This is an excerpt from a success story created by the
Alliance for a Healthier Generation. To read more Click Here...
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Where in the World is the SPARK bag this month?
Do you know the location? The first person to send us a Tweet (message on Twitter) with the location of the SPARK bag will win a free SPARK t-shirt! You can access our Twitter account HERE...
(If you haven't signed up for Twitter, Click Here to sign up.) |
Group Heart Rate Monitoring Made Easy!
The Latest in Class Fitness Management
Monitor and manage workout intensity of up to 42 students at
the same time. Each student wears an interference-free chest transmitter belt
which sends live heart rate data to the Team POD, which is connected to your
computer. The system monitors and records the results, and a projector
connected to the computer allows students to see their results as the exercise.
Now your students have a tool that will provide instant, physiological feedback
on the effectiveness of their workout!
Click Here to learn more...
Did you know you can purchase all of your favorite quality Sportime equipment through SPARK? Contact SPARK to order today! 800-SPARK-PE or spark@sparkpe.org
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The Jigsaw Strategy
Have
you ever tried the jigsaw teaching strategy? Here's how it works!
First,
choose any activity (let's use Dance for this example) that has distinct parts
(in this case, steps).
If your
dance has three steps, group your students in 3's. (E.g., "Mingle-Mingle
--- 3's!")
Prompt
students in each group to choose a number, 1, 2, or 3 and memorize it!
Then
say, "When
you hear "Go," all the Wonderful 1's gather here (point to a corner
of your room/gym) with this dance card (first step of the dance written
clearly and sequentially) and learn your part together. Terrific 2's,
you'll gather here to learn your dance move. Tremendous 3's, over
there."
Move to
help each group (be a plumber and fix any leaks!) and after ample practice
time, give them a 10-30 second warning to wrap it up.
When
you think they're ready to put the pieces of the dance together announce, "On my
"Go," form your original group of 3 and begin teaching the steps in
order: One's, teach your part first; then 2's, then 3's." Move
to fix leaks.
After
students have time to sequence the steps and learn the dance, have everyone do
it together from the top!
Wrap
it Up:
It's called a jigsaw because you pull the "puzzle pieces" apart, and the
students put it back together again. This strategy moves the instructor
from direct and command style, to the role of facilitator; and the students
assume the teaching responsibility.
Advanced
Tip:
Don't break the reciprocal! Once you empower a student to teach another,
communicate with the "teacher," not directly with the learner.
Click Here for an example of a dance called Pata Pata that uses this jigsaw
strategy. The lesson is broken down in
three different groups. Enjoy!
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Now you can follow SPARK through your favorite social media sites! Are you on Facebook? Become a fan of The SPARK Programs! Like to Tweet? Follow SPARK on Twitter! Looking for discussions on interesting health-related topics? Subscribe to the the SPARK Blog!
Join SPARK through any of these sites and you'll be able to:- Get updated on the latest SPARK resources and events
- See what other SPARK Stars are doing & saying
- Let SPARK and the SPARK family know what you think
- Connect with other educators/organizations in our industry
Click on any icon below to visit the SPARK account for that site...
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 · Featured Article by Paul Rosengard
· November Webinar Info
· CAHPERD to Break World Record!
· PA Health Ride
· Quitman Success Story
· November Teaching Tips
· Grant Information
· Where's the SPARK Bag?
· Sportime Update
· Social Media and SPARK
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Communities
Putting
Prevention to Work Initiative
(National)
The Centers
for Disease Control recently announced a $373 million funding initiative to
focus on disease prevention and health promotion in states and communities across the country. Local, state, and tribal
health departments are eligible to apply.
To learn
more about this exciting funding announcement, Click Here
Letter of
Intent Deadline: 10/30/09
Application
Deadline: 12/1/09
____________________________
Keep
Gym in School
NFL Network
(National)
The
NFL Network is providing ten $1,000 grants to improve Middle School physical
education programs and to raise awareness for the important role that PE plays
in the lives of our nation's children. Creating and improving fitness programs,
purchasing equipment, funding salaries and helping with needed facility
improvements, NFL Network's Keep Gym in School will provide ten in-need middle
schools with resources to deliver quality physical education to
their students.
Click Here for more information.
Deadline: February 1, 2010
__________________________
Champions
for Healthy Kids
The General
Mills Foundation
(National)
The General
Mills Foundation, in partnership with the American Dietetic Association
Foundation and the President's Council on Physical Fitness, developed the
Champions for Healthy Kids grant program in 2002. Each year since inception,
the General Mills Foundation awards 50 grants of $10,000 each to
community-based groups that develop creative ways to help youth adopt a
balanced diet and physically active lifestyle.
Click Here
for more information and contact SPARK for help with your cost proposal.
Deadline: January 15, 2010
__________________________
Finish Line Youth
Foundation
(National)
The
Finish Line Youth Foundation supports youth programs that are effective and
inclusive, funding opportunities for participation in youth programs that place
an importance on youth development and an active lifestyle. Grants generally
range from $1,000 to $5,000 and applications are accepted throughout the year.
Click Here
to
take the eligibility quiz and view application guidelines.
Deadline:
Rolling
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Consumer Wellness
Center National Grant Program
(National)
The
Consumer Wellness Center seeks individual, motivated, and caring
schoolteachers, administrators, and program facilitators to fund their own
creative visions of nutritional education and sharing. The Consumer Wellness
Center is awarding ten $1,000 grants to the best-qualified schoolteachers or
program administrators who are working directly with groups of school children
or expectant mothers. Contact SPARK
today to learn about our innovative nutrition education programs!
Click Here to learn more about
this funding opportunity.
Deadline:
November 23, 2009
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School Challenge Grant
Highmark Healthy High
5
(Pennsylvania)
The
Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge grant program is designed to support Pennsylvania
schools in the effort to introduce programs that will create healthier, more
successful students. Through the School Challenge grant program, Highmark
invites schools to submit proposals for innovative programming to improve
nutrition education, nutrition services, increase opportunities for physical
activity or education, self-esteem, or bullying prevention. Contact SPARK for help with your cost proposal
today!
Click Here for eligibility
information and to access the grant application.
Deadline:
Rolling
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