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SPARK & Healthy and Wise Approved by TX Education Agency
Coordinated School Health 6-8 The Healthy and Wise Middle School Coordinated Health Program offers a coordinated health approach that accommodates a school's schedule and provides teachers, students, and parents up-to-date health and fitness information every year. Published in the traditional Healthy and Wise newspaper and online formats, the colorful, eight page publications feature an abundance of articles, stories, and activities for Middle School students and their families. In addition, Healthy and Wise is coordinated with the SPARK Middle School Physical Education Program to provide districts even more physical education options and resources if they need them or are already using the SPARK PE programs. The SPARK Middle School Physical Education Program offers comprehensive physical education lessons and resources and are referenced and correlated with the Healthy and Wise lesson plans and supplements. The SPARK Physical Education Program is designed to encourage maximum participation during class time. SPARK Physical Education offers instruction and practice in a realistic number of diverse skills and activities appropriate for 6th-8th grade students. SPARK Physical Education can be used as a coordinated component of the Healthy and Wise Strength, Conditioning, and Wellness Guide or can be used as the primary physical education program. The SPARK PE Program is coordinated with the Healthy and Wise components and ensures that physical activity is a priority and emphasis in all Eight Components of Coordinated Health. Eight Coordinated Health Components Include: Health Education - 9 Units (32 lessons) that cover required health standards with an emphasis on the importance of physical activity and nutrition in every unit. The curriculum is available in four non-dated, colorful 8-page publications. The curriculum is also available completely online. All units have teacher instructional guides, correlations, and unit tests. Suggested SPARK PE lessons and resources are included in the Healthy and Wise supplements. The Healthy and Wise Monthly(K-8/Family) Issues supplement the wellness lessons in the Coordinated Physical Education Guide. Physical Education - Coordinated Physical Education Guide - A 36-week lesson guide provides daily physical education lessons, standards - NASPE/TEKS, and coordinated SPARK PE lesson resource options. Each week provides activities that address the major components of fitness (cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and muscular strength and endurance). Sports skills and opportunities to apply new skills learned are integrated throughout the year. Weekly wellness lessons from the Healthy and Wise Monthly (K-8/Family) Issues are included in the PE lesson plans and ensure that nutrition and other important health topics are covered, even if students are not currently in a health class. Health Services - A School Nurse Participation Plan gives suggestions and ways that the school nurse can reinforce health concepts that fall in her/his area of expertise. The plan includes SPARK resources that help nurses promote the importance of physical activity. Nutrition Services - Middle school concepts are included in the Cafeteria Council's Plan. Food Service assessment and planning tools help district staff continuously evaluate their nutrition and cafeteria environment and help develop action plans for improvement. SPARK suggestions for getting students more physically active during their lunch period are provided. Lunchtime physical activity equipment packs are available through Sportime. Counseling/Psychological/Social Services - A Counselor Participation Plan gives suggestions and ways that the school counselor can reinforce health concepts that fall in his/her area of expertise. Suggested SPARK resources help counselors reinforce and promote the physical, social, and emotional benefits of physical activity. Healthy School Environment - Lessons that address the health and safety of the school environment are included in the program. SPARK's "Vision for Healthy Schools" is strongly encouraged in all areas of the coordinated health curriculum. Health Promotion for Staff - The Healthy Educator Checklist allows educators the opportunity to reflect on their own health behaviors so they can not only teach health concepts, but serve as role models as well. The Healthy and Wise - SPARK Staff Wellness Days suggest nutrition, health, and physical activity tips that can help structure a professional development day filled with many healthy options. Family/Community Involvement - Home Connection Activities are included in each lesson. An introduction letter to parents and ongoing activities and assessment tools help teachers increase and evaluate parental involvement. Suggestions for community guest speakers and opportunities for students to participate in community wide health and fitness initiatives are suggested in the instructional guides and the SPARK PE Program. Grade Levels and Pacing Options The Healthy and Wise Middle School Coordinated Health Program allows schools flexibility in organizing instruction and accommodates all instructional formats, schedules, and settings. Healthy and Wise Monthly Curriculum (K-6) with weekly PE lesson plans. This program is already approved by the Texas Education Agency as a coordinated health option. Healthy and Wise Middle School Coordinated Health Program 6th Grade (PDF) 7th Grade (PDF) 8th Grade (PDF) *The Healthy and Wise monthly issues offer 6th, 7th and 8th grade activities in the instructional guides and should be used with the Healthy and Wise Coordinated Physical Education Guide to continuously teach and reinforce current health concepts, topics, and observances. For More Information Contact:
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