How to set-up a Active Start Program
1. Identify the needs of your students and staff. It may be easier to begin the program on a smaller scale with a target group of students or grade level. If you are feeling ambitious, get the whole school involved! (Who wouldn't want a more engaged student population?!)
2. Get your administrators on board! Are they able to find time at the beginning of each school day to devote to Active Start? Active doesn't have to be at the very beginning of every day, however, gains are greatest with performed in the first half of the school day. If you can't get time first thing how about using morning recess?
3. Educate and empower your classroom teachers, educational assistants and resource staff on the benefits of including physical activity every morning! Ask teachers to consider choosing a subject or activity that students often struggle with (i.e. numeracy or literacy) to begin the day with after participating in Active Start. Make sure they track the results so they can see the increase in focus and attention!
4. Get planning! How do you see the program working within your school? Tailor the program to fit the needs and circumstances of your school. This could include aerobic exercise, walking, dancing, relays, basic movement skills practice, muscular strength and balance activities, cross lateral movement and yoga poses. Don't forget about awesome resources online such as www.gonoodle.com to help get students active in the classroom!
5. Find a Personal Learning Network (PLN) of teachers and like minded individuals that will help get the program up and running and support you! Look for other staff in the building to be Active Start champions! Be sure to check out what other schools around the Pembina Trails School Division are doing for more ideas. Also, look to make new connections online with resources such as twitter and follow hashtags such as #pegeeks #activestart #mbedchat to connect with other educators and to find additional resources.
6. Get moving! Have fun and enjoy the benefits of an Active Start! Be sure to re-evaluate your program after 3-6 months-- just because the program may not be going the way you envisioned it in the first place doesn't mean it isn't working!
Have questions or need help with getting your administration on board? Have you started your own Active Start program? We would love to hear from you! Send us an e-mail!
2. Get your administrators on board! Are they able to find time at the beginning of each school day to devote to Active Start? Active doesn't have to be at the very beginning of every day, however, gains are greatest with performed in the first half of the school day. If you can't get time first thing how about using morning recess?
3. Educate and empower your classroom teachers, educational assistants and resource staff on the benefits of including physical activity every morning! Ask teachers to consider choosing a subject or activity that students often struggle with (i.e. numeracy or literacy) to begin the day with after participating in Active Start. Make sure they track the results so they can see the increase in focus and attention!
4. Get planning! How do you see the program working within your school? Tailor the program to fit the needs and circumstances of your school. This could include aerobic exercise, walking, dancing, relays, basic movement skills practice, muscular strength and balance activities, cross lateral movement and yoga poses. Don't forget about awesome resources online such as www.gonoodle.com to help get students active in the classroom!
5. Find a Personal Learning Network (PLN) of teachers and like minded individuals that will help get the program up and running and support you! Look for other staff in the building to be Active Start champions! Be sure to check out what other schools around the Pembina Trails School Division are doing for more ideas. Also, look to make new connections online with resources such as twitter and follow hashtags such as #pegeeks #activestart #mbedchat to connect with other educators and to find additional resources.
6. Get moving! Have fun and enjoy the benefits of an Active Start! Be sure to re-evaluate your program after 3-6 months-- just because the program may not be going the way you envisioned it in the first place doesn't mean it isn't working!
Have questions or need help with getting your administration on board? Have you started your own Active Start program? We would love to hear from you! Send us an e-mail!