My teaching partner and I team teach a wonderful group of 37 Third Graders in a low-income area of our small town. Many of our students come from economically disadvantaged homes and don't have opportunities for extracurricular activities to stay active.
This group is energetic and enthusiastic in their desire to learn together.
They are caring, considerate, creative, and love to collaborate in class and at recess. Their creativity is obvious in the games they make-up and play. Working and playing together defines this group.
My Project
My students would benefit greatly by using Kid Power bands to provide motivation for increased activity. The Unicef Kid Power program provides an opportunity for U.S. students to help children in other countries while making a better future for themselves by getting healthier. Exercise can make a difference in my students' lives.
According to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research, just a small increase in the frequency of exercise among children ages eight through 11 would also result in 340,000 fewer obese and overweight youth in the United States.
Increasing the percentage of elementary school children who participate in 25 minutes of physical activity three times a week would avoid billions in medical costs and lost wages over the course of their lifetimes.
Most of our third graders live in extreme poverty. Approximately 86% receive free and reduced lunch. Few families have the resources to get their children to after-school activities or sports. Many of our students go home to spend time in front of the TV. There is very little motivation for children to be active or exercise. The end result is a life of inactivity, poor health and often obesity.
We need to encourage kids to be active, to reduce time spent in front of a screen and get them running around again. It's good for everyone!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Lindstrom and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.