Here at SPARK, we closely watch First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign. A few years ago, the Obamas’ pediatrician suggested that they pay more attention to their children’s’ health, and the First Lady began to realize the incredible obesity issue among America’s youth.
AOL Health interviews Mrs. Obama about childhood obesity and the changes that [...]
Michelle Obama Discusses Childhood Obesity
July 20th, 2010
SPARKfamily.org Update 07/10: Physical Education and the iPad
July 19th, 2010
New Dynamic Rubric for iPad:
It’s mid-summer and although we’re not trying to get you back to school too soon, we do want you to be prepared when the time comes. So, we’ve added the first of our new iPad features for a handful of 3-6 Instructional Units. Check out our new Dynamic Rubrics and Class [...]
Physical Education vs. Physical Activity
July 19th, 2010
This week Michelle Obama hosted a live chat and took questions from the field as they announced the new look to the Let’s Move! website. This movement has been exceptional way to raise awareness and a call to action to improve the health of our families in this country.
One disturbing piece of information continues [...]
Four SPARK Schools Win National Award for Healthy Schools
June 28th, 2010
Each year, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation awards the Healthy Schools Program National Recognition Award to schools around the country that have reached an important benchmark in improving the learning and working environments of students and staff.
By making significant changes in the areas of healthy eating, physical activity and [...]
2010 PEP Grant Update & Helpful Tips
June 21st, 2010
2010 PEP Grant Applications have been announced and now it’s time to hustle!
You’ve got 30 days (or less – depending on when you read this) to put in a high quality proposal.
Here are a few important things to think about as you do your best to meet the deadline.
Register online as soon as possible. Go [...]
Joining the 2010 PEP Squad!
June 18th, 2010
Great news for all of us in the good ole’ U.S.A. this week. No, the oil is still leaking; Democrats and Republicans continue to argue; there is no peace in the Middle East. But if you’re someone who cares about healthy kids, you’re smiling from ear to ear. The 2010 PEP Grants [...]
Good News About Active Physical Education
June 16th, 2010
To those of us at SPARK, and certainly to me, active classes is a hallmark of quality Physical Education (PE). A PE class in which students are standing or sitting most of the time cannot be a good PE class. PE is about teaching through the physical. The goal is to teach [...]
Aristotle said, “Philosophize AND Exercise”
June 2nd, 2010
OK, Aristotle probably never said that, but we do know the ancient Greeks were big supporters of the mind-body connection and whole child advocates. What about YOUR school and district? Even if this topic is Greek to you, read on for a pita full of tasty information you’ll want to share with [...]
SPARKfamily.org Updates
May 21st, 2010
May is in full swing and so are we! Here are your updates…
New 3-6 PE Curriculum Activity Videos
We’ve recently added 10 more activity videos for you in the 3-6 PE Curriculum Resources. My favorites happen to be Map Challenges and Movement Bands but you’ve got plenty to choose from.
Some quick tips for video play. Windows [...]
SPARK Supports White House Task Force Report on Childhood Obesity
May 19th, 2010
In February, First Lady Michelle Obama launched the Let’s Move! campaign to solve the childhood obesity epidemic within one generation. As part of this effort, President Barack Obama established the Task Force on Childhood Obesity to develop and implement an inter agency plan that details a coordinated strategy, identifies key benchmarks, and outlines an action [...]
