Constructive classroom awards

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Constructive classroom awards
5
Sun, 11-21-2004 - 12:57am
Here is an interesting article that I received from a nutritionist friend. It is a provocative idea for parents, teachers and those of worried about the obesity of our children. What did you think after you read the article?

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

Co-CL Diabetes Board


 

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Registered: 05-02-2003
Sun, 11-21-2004 - 11:57pm

Hi Mary Frances -


It's an interesting article and I love the intent of it, but having a middle school teacher for a mother, I know (having heard this since high school) that a lot of those ideas simply aren't going to work for a variety of reasons.

Blueliner4
(aka The Pixie Princess)

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 12:51am

Gabby,


Thanks for your comments. What worries me is the obesity and diabetes and something else that you alluded to. We have young women (ages around 21) developing osteoporosis because of their long duration bad eating habits.


When I was in school several centuries ago we had PE all four years. I was so bad at sports that I was usually the ref! I was encouraged to read and not to be active outside. So being physically active doesn't come naturally to me and I certainly wish it did. I am hopeful if we can correct their lack of exercise at a very young age it will seem like a natural thing for them to do later in their junior high and high school years.


Have a great Thanksgiving week.

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

Co-CL Diabetes Board


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Registered: 03-28-2003
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 10:24am

"just don't want to do any form of exercise because they will get sweaty, get stinky, will mess up their hair, will ruin their makeup, etc."


This was most definitely me! We had the option at our school to take "Zero hour PE" for just that reason! You had longer between the end of class and the beginning of 1st hour to get ready. It was a great option, and one that was well used. When I became a Junior, we could apply to be in "Leadership PE", which basically made you a student teacher and you taught the classes. I always signed up for Zero hour classes to teach and that gave me a study hall hour during the day. The school still has the Zero hour PE classes too, and they're still popular among the girls.

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Registered: 05-02-2003
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 2:55pm

It's just absolutely amazing nowadays in the school system, at least where my mom teaches.

Blueliner4
(aka The Pixie Princess)

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2004
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 5:49pm

It is an interesting article and I agree that schools should be using more non-food rewards. Although in my boys school food rewards are few and far between ( maybe 1 lolly twice a term ) and I really don't see that as a problem.I don't know what the trend is in the us , but here in Australia over the past few years there has been a move to 'health food' school canteens. Many school canteens have stopped selling soft drinks,, lollies and fried high fat foods ( ie, hot chips, pies) and are selling more pasta dishes, baked potatoes and sandwiches. There is a school near us that actually grows its own organic produce for use in the canteen. Childhood obesity has become a big issue here and children are given more time for physical activity during the school day . That is in primary school, but I don't know how it works in our high schools.I guess the hope is that by instilling good habits at a young age, they will carry them through.

Lisa.