Webinars |
The 3rd Wednesday (the 3rd day of the week) at 3pm pst (SPARK Principle of 3's!) SPARK hosts a FREE webinar!
Whether you are a seasoned SPARK Star, just learning about the program, or have an interest in the month's timely topic, this webinar series is for you!
Physical Education Grants: Strategies to "Show You the Money!"
If you had more money to spend on your students and physical education program, how would you use it? Would you buy curriculum, attend professional development opportunities, purchase exergaming equipment? Would you create an Exercise Science lab or buy 45 bikes and start a spin class? Participate in this SPARK Webinar and learn:
When: Wednesday, February 17th at 3pm Pacific, 6pm Eastern
Who: Grades PreK-12 teachers and administrators, PE specialists, after school and early childhood teachers and staff
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: Free!
Registration: Click Here to register
Physical Education and Academics- A Match Made in Heaven?
Some schools have reduced physical education (PE) and/or physical activity (PA) minutes (e.g., recess) to devote more time to academics. How does this strategy affect academic performance? Have there been any scientific studies that support the role of PE and PA? What do the data show?
Participate in our January webinar and find out the answers! And, we'll be providing rationale on the new role of health-promoting PE and PA in our schools, as well as practical tips for advocacy, and strategies to help YOU keep PE and PA an integral component of your school's program.
Attendees will learn:
When: Wednesday, January 20th at 3pm Pacific, 6pm Eastern
Who: Grades PreK-12 teachers and administrators, PE specialists, after school and early childhood teachers and staff
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: Free!
Click Here to view a recording of This Webinar - Windows Media
Click Here to download the PowerPoint slides for this presentation
"I'd Rather Chew Aluminum Foil Than Teach Dance!"
Do you have a little less rhythm and a lot more blues when it comes to dance? Attend this webinar and we’ll have you (with the 2 left feet) dancing with your students in no time! You'll learn how to “Break the Touch Barrier” with active dance lead-up games, then learn strategies for teaching dance that moves instruction from command style (and teacher demonstrative) to student directed learning and teacher facilitated. See videos of some of our favorite SPARK dances! Participants will be able to download sample lesson plans, assessment tools, and jigsaw teaching cards. Join us and get excited to teach your dance unit this year!
Attendees will learn:
When: Wednesday, December 16th at 3pm Pacific, 6pm Eastern (Note -- the SPARK Webinars are now the 3rd Wed. of every month -- Principle of 3's!)
Who: Grades PreK-12 teachers and administrators, PE specialists, after school and early childhood teachers and staff
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: Free!
Click Here to view a recording of This Webinar - Windows Media
"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:
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!
Click Here to view a recording of This Webinar - Windows Media
Note - Audio will begin immediately, video may not begin until 1:30 on some computers
“Count Me In!” Strategies That Engage ALL Students
Do you face the challenge each year of motivating some students to participate in your physical education class? You know who they are, the members of the "I don't care" club; the "Why do we have to run?" gang; the "My mom said I don't have to do PE today" crew?
Then join our next SPARK webinar and learn strategies that get ALL students off the bench and into the game. There are no right fielders in this program, it's inclusive, active, and fun! Attendees will learn how to:
And leave the webinar with access to FREE lesson plans you can use with your students the next day!
When: Wednesday, October 21st at 3:00 pm Pacific Time (Note -- the SPARK Webinars are now the 3rd Wed. of every month -- Principle of 3's!)
Who: K-12 physical education specialists, K-6 classroom teachers, after school youth leaders, early childhood educators, parents and school and recreation administrators.
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: Free!
Click Here to view a recording of This Webinar - Windows Media
Back to BASICS: "Igniting YOUR program"
The beginning of the school year is an important time for all teachers -- especially physical educators. The protocols established and the tone set in the first two weeks, lay the foundation for the rest of the school year.
This webinar will help you prepare by providing valuable, "real-world" strategies that foster cooperation and trust, teach social skills, and establish a positive learning environment. It all "starts with a SPARK" and the learning spreads like wildfire!
Attendees will learn:
Who: All Physical Education, Physical Activity and Classroom Teachers
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: Free!
Click Here to view a recording of This Webinar - Windows Media
Coordinated School Health: "The environment made me do it."
The test scores don't lie: academic achievement and health go hand in hand. Data has shown on numerous occasions that healthier students are better prepared to learn and are more successful in school. Schools need to provide programs and resources to ensure students can be successful, and a quality Coordinated School Health program does just that.
A coordinated approach to school health improves students' health and their capacity to learn through the support of families, schools, and communities working together. Coordinated school health is a school-wide approach and commitment that supports and integrates the following eight components:
What can YOUR school or district do to create a healthy learning environment in school and support the success of every students and educator? Join this FREE webinar and get the tools you need to move forward. Attendees will learn:
When: Wednesday, August 5th at 3:00 pm Pacific Time Who: Superintendents, Principals, Wellness Coordinators, Teachers, and Parents Duration: 45 minutes Cost: Free!
Click Here to view a recording of This Webinar - Windows Media
Note - Audio will begin immediately, video may not begin until 1:45 on some computer
Is Your After School Program "Moving" in the Right Direction?
Most school environments provide 6 opportunities for children to accumulate at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily (NASPE National Recommendation):
Of the six, after school programs (ASP) usually keep children for the longest period of time and they often enjoy a less rigid schedule. For these reasons and others, ASP offer much potential for both health and academic supplementation.
While most ASP offer opportunities for children to move, a study from the National After School Association found less than half (49%) the children participating reported engaging in outdoor play or physical activity. If children are not active during after school hours, their alternatives are usually sedentary ones (e.g., video games, watching TV, etc.). This is especially critical for those children already suffering from higher rates of overweight and obesity (i.e., children of color and at the poverty line).
What can YOUR program /school do to increase the quantity and quality of physical activity during after school programs?
Attendees will learn:
When: Wednesday, July 1st at 3:00 pm Pacific Time Who: After School Program Directors, Coordinators and Educators Duration: 45 minutes Cost: Free!
Click Here To View a Recording of This Webinar - Windows Media
Note - Audio will begin immediately, video may not begin until 1:30 on some computers
Organized Day or Free Play? Providing Structured Activity for Children ages 3-5
Young children play all day- they don't need structured physical activity to keep active, right? Recent research studies say WRONG. The truth is that preschoolers are mostly inactive during play, even when outdoors. An article in the Los Angeles Times entitled "U.S. preschoolers are not busy little bees" discusses this surprising data. This month's webinar topic discusses the importance of structured physical activity for young children and how we can provide it for them.
In this webinar, participants will learn:
When: Wednesday, June 3rd at 3:00 pm Pacific Time Who: All early childhood educators, administrators and parents Duration: 45 minutes Cost: Free!
Click Here To View a Recording of This Webinar- Windows Media
Click Here To View a Recording of This Webinar- Quicktime
"It's OK to Eat and Run - Integrating Nutrition & Health into Physical Education/Activity"
Description: You’ve seen all the research and you’ve heard all the success stories- healthy children are better learners. But do you have the tools you need to incorporate important health and nutrition concepts into your class? Is it even possible? Join this webinar and learn about age-appropriate lessons & strategies for teaching these critical concepts to your students. In this webinar participants will learn:
When: Wednesday, May 6th at 3:00 pm PST Who: K-12 teachers and administrators, PE specialists, after school coordinators, early childhood educators, and coordinated school health staff. Duration: 45 minutes Cost: Free!
Click Here To View a Recording of This Webinar- Windows Media
"April Fools and Limited Tools- Coping with Fewer Equipment $’s"
Description: Tough finding funds to help enhance your physical education program? Don’t worry- this webinar will leave you with ideas to get your kids moving without all the bells and whistles. Learn new strategies to help stretch your equipment dollars farther than you thought possible. Participants will learn:
When: Wednesday, April 1st @ 3:00 pm PST Who: K-12 teachers and administrators, PE specialists, after school coordinators, early childhood educators, and coordinated school health staff. Duration: 45 minutes Cost: Free!
Click Here To View a Recording of This Webinar- Windows Media
"SPARK Excitement In YOUR Class: How To Engage Every Student"
When: Wednesday, Mar 4th @ 3:00 pm PST Who: K-12 teachers and administrators, PE specialists, after school coordinators, early childhood educators, and coordinated school health staff. Duration: 45 minutes Cost: Free!
Click Here To View a Recording of This Webinar *
* May require an additional codec in order to play videos
"Simple Ways to increase MVPA"
When: Wednesday, Feb 4th at 3:00 pm PST Who: K-12 teachers and administrators, PE specialists, after school coordinators, early childhood educators, and coordinated school health staff. Duration: 30 minutes Cost: Free!
Our new Grant Finder Tool will help you find grants specific to your state and type of program. New grants updated daily!