Celebrating Physical Education: Let's Move! Active Schools

written by Amber Phillips, Nicky Pembleton, and Jacqui Seidel, Ball State University, IN

Physical activity is not only good for our bodies, but it is also good for our minds. However, according to First Lady Michelle Obama, 1/3 of today's American children are overweight or obese (letsmove.gov). "It hasn't always been this way," explains the First Lady. I, myself, remember being told to "go outside and don't come back until it starts getting dark." I would play in the woods, pick-up games with neighborhood friends, walk and play with my dog in the yard, and play softball with my dad. Today, children (and adults) spend a lot of time inside on the computer, watching television, playing video games, etc.

We had basic cable when I was a kid. Saturday mornings were the best. Cartoons came on around 8 am but ended at 11 am. Then, it was outside for me. Kids today have 24-hour access to hundreds of channels, and if they can't find anything there, they just flip on their computer, iPad, iPod, or any other electronic device to watch whatever they want.

New research shows children get seven hours per day of screen time. Children are in school for more than 6 hours. Considering only 10% of public schools have physical education, we can conclude children spend 13 hours every day involved in sedentary behavior. Let's factor in the normal 8 hours required for sleep and now you only have 3 hours of that left in the day. A lot of that time is spent getting ready for school, perhaps eating breakfast and dinner, and getting ready for bed. Not to mention homework. Children are supposed to get an absolute minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity per day, so when are they going to get it?

Physical education is not just about skill development; it teaches discipline, teamwork, competition, assertiveness, organization, time management, and much, much more. Obama said, "Change is hard. Just because it's hard doesn't mean we should stop trying. We should try harder." It is our "moral obligation...our patriotic obligation" to help each child to fulfill their highest potential. We have to educate the whole child. "Movement is the hook to keep many kids in schools." (Obama, 2013)

Let's Move! Active Schools is a new "unprecedented effort to bring physical education back to schools"...its "a groundbreaking, earth-shattering, and awe-inspiring movement," stated Obama. Our society is not giving students the opportunities needed to live active, full and healthy lives. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, says we have arrived at this state due to budget cuts and shortened school days, but we can't make excuses. This isn't about placing blame; it's about making people aware (Obama).

Duncan said there is a false dichotomy: "Do we choose academic performance or physical education and sports?" It is a false dichotomy because it is not one over the other. Physical activity enhances academic performance. "They reinforce each other," explains Duncan.

Let's Move! Active Schools focus is a comprehensive program that empowers "school champions" to create active environments that enable students to get moving and reach their full potential. Anyone can be a school champion (e.g. Physical education teachers, administrators, family or community members). There are 5 key areas of this program:

1. Physical Education
2. Physical Activity During School
3. Physical Activity Before and After School
4. Family & Community Involvement
5. Staff Involvement

An Active School incorporates at least 60 minutes of physical activity before, during and after school. School Champions, upon registering for the no-cost program, will be taken through a 6-step process:

1. Build Support
2. Assess your School
3. Develop your Action Plan
4. Explore Resources
5. Take Action
6. Celebrate success

Three are three membership types: Supporters, contributors, and school leaders. Supporters are advocates for physical activity and quality physical education in schools. They help program leaders create and sustain active environments, and provide time and expertise. Tools and resources are made available to a supporter.

Contributors work with the School Wellness Team to develop a school's Action Plan. They help schools make changes and assess areas for improvement. The school's inventory and action plan are available to contributors, in addition to tools and resources.

School leaders, usually the physical education teachers, start and manage the six-step process. They keep the School Wellness Team engaged and on task. School Leaders serve in leadership roles at school and/or district levels. The School Leader submits the inventory. More than one person can be a school leader.

The School Leader is responsible for completing an inventory. There are 23 yes/no items, total: 14 from the Physical Education inventory and 9 from the School Wellness inventory. Once the inventory is completed and submitted, an action plan is created. The number and content of criteria available for the action plan depends on your answers to the inventory.

After you select the criteria for physical education and school wellness, you can view/print your action plan. The plan lists the goals selected, and the recommended action steps. Some goals must be met in order to be a LMAS. Once you complete your first action items, it is time to celebrate success. The system gives some ideas, and encourages you to choose new action items. The resources listed are also based on your inventory and action plan.

The Let's Move! Active Schools program provides a systematic way to improve students lives physically, mentally, and emotionally. The process is designed to encourage movement both in and out of school. The system itself offers promising program improvements. Joining Let's Move! Active Schools has the potential to bring physical education the support, appreciation and respect needed. More importantly, the health of our society and future generations could reap the benefits as well. Becoming a Let's Move! Active Schools is a great way to celebrate physical education this month.

references

Duncan, A. (2013).Let's move: America's move to raise a healthier generation of kids. Letsmove.gov. Retrieved March 1, 2013 from http://www.letsmove.gov/active-schools

Obama, M. (2013).Let’s move: America's move to raise a healthier generation of kids. Letsmove.gov. Retrieved March 1, 2013 from http://www.letsmove.gov/active-schools

additional resources

• Miami-Dade County Public Schools Supports Let's Move! Active Schools
• Let's Move! Active Schools Initiative Hits the Schoolyard!
• Success Stories
• American Alliance Partners with First Lady's Let's Move Active Schools to Get Kids Moving

Biography: Dr. Phillips is a professor in the physical education teacher education (PETE) program at Ball State University. Her research has focused on the development of teaching skills across time and National Board Certified Teachers. Dr. Phillips has published in national physical education journals and has presented at more than 20 state, district, and national conferences. She serves as a reviewer for a national physical education journal and is on the Advisory Board for PE Central Best Practices.

Biography: Nicole Pembleton is a Physical Education Teaching Education major at Ball State University. She plays on the Ball State Women's Soccer team and is a sophomore. Nicole is from Ontario, Canada and wishes to teach eventually teach in Ontario. She enjoys all types of sports, and in her free time she loves being with her family and friends.

Biography: Jacqui Seidel is originally from St. Charles, IL, and is currently a junior at Ball State University. She is studying physical education and health education. Jacqui is also a member of the Ball State Women's Volleyball team. In her free time, she likes to bike, spend time with her family and coach at the local Munciana volleyball club. She hopes to become a physical education teacher and coach high school volleyball in the future.

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