SPARK - School Specialty. Physical Education & Wellness

Background:

Like all SPARK Programs, the Middle School Physical Education (PE) effort began with objective research led by outstanding content experts.

Project M-SPAN (Middle School Physical Activity and Nutrition, San Diego State University) was supported by the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute from 1996-2000 and was the first scientific effort to study and evaluate this target population in physical education, physical activity and nutrition.

The M-SPAN staff (SPARK Principals and colleagues) worked with 24 middle schools (MS) encompassing nine urban and ethnically diverse school districts. Over 200 physical educators and administrators, and more than 24,000 students took part in the study.

Physical Education/Activity Goals:

1. Improve physical education content offerings and instructional methodology of teachers.
2. Create physical education staff development sessions which motivate teachers to embrace new ideas and apply those ideas to their teaching.
3. Increase physical activity opportunities on campus throughout the school day (before school, during lunch, after school) for all students.
4. Modify the school environment to make it more conducive to physical activity promotion and facilitate lasting change.

Results:

1. The staff development team conducted 5 workshops over a 2-year period of time for physical education specialists. Attendees evaluated these workshops and the M-SPAN program extremely favorably -- as they did the entire intervention approach.
2. Moderate to vigorous physical activity in physical education classes increased more than 18% in intervention schools, while going up 3% in controls (sites not receiving M-SPAN materials and training).
3. Many sites added physical activity options for students at various times of the school day and the advantages of collaboration with outside organizations and agencies was clearly demonstrated.

Due to these successes, SPARK began offering middle school curricula, training, consultation, and content-matched equipment to middle school physical educators. Since that time, SPARK Certified middle school trainers have conducted more than 250 separate MS PE workshops and Institutes worldwide.

To date, over a dozen publications in peer-reviewed journals have demonstrated positive outcomes on middle school (MS) students and teachers who have implemented SPARK MS PE.

SPARK MS PE is not a one-size fits all approach – rather, participating teachers choose from a variety of instructional themes, activities, assessment tools, and teaching strategies to integrate with and/or enhance their current programs. SPARK is a unique, research-based professional growth opportunity for ALL middle school physical educators.

Program Components:

When an agency or organization chooses the SPARK MS PE Program, they receive the four components necessary to enhance their current offerings:

1.Curriculum:

The SPARK Middle School PE curriculum is a collection of standards-based lesson plans, assessment tools, and other supplemental educational materials that have been perfectly matched to SPARK Standard and Premium training programs. The SPARK Middle School PE Manual is a practical document presented in a simple and easy to use format. Perfect for busy teachers looking for new, innovative ideas for their programs. For more information on the SPARK Middle School PE manual, Click Here.

2.Training:

Purchasing and using SPARK curriculum is a great start – but SPARK is not a book, it’s a program. Over the years, SPARK has tested numerous instructional strategies that are best conveyed during face to face training opportunities. The “what to do” (the lesson plans) come alive when the “how to do it” is provided via SPARK training. SPARK workshops are fun, fast, and fantastic! Learning themes explored include: “Cooperate and Trust,” “Disguising Fitness,” “High Activity Skills Progression,” “Modifying Traditional Sports,” and more! SPARK trainers travel the globe to conduct workshops on days and at times that are convenient for everyone. For more information on SPARK Middle School PE workshops, Click Here.

3.Equipment:

A select team of SPARK PE program developers, curriculum writers, and workshop presenters meet annually to modify the equipment sets (a set consists of every item needed to instruct the activities in a SPARK manual) that align perfectly with SPARK Middle School PE activities. For more information on Middle School PE equipment sets, Click Here.

4.Follow-up Support:

For new approaches to work and last, extensive, ongoing consultation must be provided. SPARK is committed to follow-up via their unique “SPARK Stars” institutionalization model, and by offering FREE lifetime support through 800 number and e-mail consultation. Additionally, each workshop attendee enjoys the following FREE resources: A monthly webinar series, social networking opportunities, and a monthly eNewsletter that includes SPARK updates, teaching tips, grant $ for PE programs, and more. To learn more about the FREE lifetime support that SPARK offers, Click Here.