The Model of Fitness

One of the most important steps in staying fit is physical activity. Work with Building Blocks to help children and their families achieve fitness goals.

Purpose: To help students get fit, feel good about their bodies, and model good physical activity.

Materials: Building Blocks CD: Song #3—"Power Positive" and CD player or Internet download; copies of Building Blocks Activity Book (PDF), page 20: “Power Positive” activity; measuring tools (rulers, measuring tape, stopwatch).

Preparation: Make copies of the “Power Positive” handout for each student; gather measuring tools.

Procedure: In an open space, play Song #3—“Power Positive” for the class. Have the class start dancing in time to the music. Start with just the first verse or the chorus. As a group, decide on simple or repetitive movements for different words, phrases, or parts of the song. Continue building the dance until everyone moves in rhythm as a group.

Use the “Power Positive” handout to guide students to test their skills. Depending on the students’ ages and abilities, you may need to work with them individually or in small groups. Older students can test and measure for each other. Do this once a week and challenge students to break their records. As a class, plan other activities to test and measure.

Optional Procedures: Use the information from the skills test to create class graphs to illustrate improving physical abilities. Have students find pictures of the “Friends” doing or preparing to do physical activity in either the Character Cards (PDF) or Know Kit Cards for 3–4 (PDF) and 5–6 (PDF). Use these to create a physical fitness bulletin board.

Teaching Note: Send the “Power Positive” handout home to get parental involvement in your ongoing class exercise and fitness program.

Resources:

• “Overweight in Children and Adolescents.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides statistics, parenting tips, and suggestions for better child health.
• “10 Tips to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for You.” and a handbook for getting 2- to 6-year-olds into movement and exercise.
• “Packing Fat: Science News for Kids.” The best parenting advice is to be a good role model for increased physical activity and a more healthful diet.
• “Fighting Fat in Your Kids.” Dr. Woolard.com provides great tips on getting your child active and motivated.
• “Get Kids in Action for Kids and Parents.” On this site, find activities for parents and kids to do together and ideas for parents to model healthy behavior for their kids.
• “Fighting Obesity Through the Built Environment.” Is our environment making it easy to be obese? This government publication from the National Institutes of Health provides ideas for change.

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