Exercise the Mind and the Body Too

My Students: Your challenge: Take 80 active second graders to the playground. There's only a little equipment consisting of three slides, one bridge, one climbing ladder, a sliding pole an...

My Project: You can make a difference in the lives of these students. I am requesting two age-appropriate packs to increase physical activity. Each pack includes: three Playground Balls; ... more»

My Students: Your challenge: Take 80 active second graders to the playground. There's only a little equipment consisting of three slides, one bridge, one climbing ladder, a sliding pole and six swings. What can they do to exercise or to play a cooperative game? Not much! We need some equipment to help us exercise!

These students are active and eager learners. They need to be able to go outside the classroom for recess. Recess is the only time of the day that most of these children are active and exercising. As teachers we are responsible not only of their minds but of their bodies too. For 20 minutes each day we watch them run and chase each other, for lack of something more constructive. This school is in a high poverty area. At last count, more than 50% of our students are on reduced fee or free lunch. Our school should become Title 1 with increased funding. However, the funding will be used into assisting our students succeed in state-mandated tests.

How can you develop your brain if you don't exercise? How can you give oxygen to your body if you are kept indoors all day? How can we as teachers teach the "whole child" if we disregard their need for active, organized play?

My Project: You can make a difference in the lives of these students. I am requesting two age-appropriate packs to increase physical activity. Each pack includes: three Playground Balls; one 16' Nylon Jump Rope; two Skip-N-Hops; six -7' Jump Ropes; two Basketballs; one Soccerball; two - Foam Discs and one - Set of Six beanbags. By providing these two Second Grade playground packs you would be giving them a chance to get healthy and to increase the oxygen levels in their brains. All work and no play is no fun. Yes, we want them to excel in math, reading and science. However, their personal health is extremely important too and we want to be able to teach them the way to do so.

There is much to be learned from playing active games. The children learn sportsmanship, they make new friends, they learn to be patient and to take turns. To an adult, it may seem as "unnecessary" or frivolous to give money for "toys." But these are not toys, they are tools needed to get a healthier body and mind.

The benefits of this equipment transcends the playground and come back to help the students in the classroom. Fresh air and time for play are essential for all. Will you help us? hide»