Fitness for All
Tonja Lusche, Teacher, Columbus Middle School
2016-2017 School Year
Description & Need:
Due to the different needs in our classroom, a special fitness program needs to be developed. Currently, we use the equipment form the Health and Fitness programs at our school. This project would enable the students in our program to experience different sports and fitness skills on their level and needs. Through this project, different items would be purchased to develop a year long curriculum for the students in the area of health and fitness, not only for time in the gym, but also in the classroom and home. The supplies and equipment purchased would enable the class to learn and actively participate in 16 different sports and recreational activities. A two week unit would be created for each sport or activity, giving 32 weeks of fitness curriculum. The active lifestyles and nutritional lessons achieved through this project will encourage our students to take more control of their lives and options for them in the future.
This project gives students who do not always fit in the regular fitness class the ability to learn and actively participate in different fitness activities. This project will help the health and well being of our students, while at the same time encouraging and expanding the knowledge of sports, recreational activities, and healthy lifestyles both now and for the future.
Major Objectives:
- Students will participate in at least 10 out of 16 different fitness activities throughout the school year.
- Equipment purchased will be used at least three times per week.
- Peer helpers will be utilized in the implementation and teaching of different activities and fitness skills.
- Exercise DVD will be used at least one time per week for cardio and aerobic benefits for a period of 30 minutes.
- Healthy lifestyles will be discussed including healthy eating choices and the importance of exercise and fitness throughout life.
- Students will take turns choosing their favorite activity on Fitness Free Fridays.
- Students will interact with each other, either as teammates or opponents.
- Students will understand the concept of good sportsmanship through the use of high fives, shaking hands, and congratulatory remarks made between players.
Grade Levels Impacted:
This project will affect students in grade levels 6-8. The number of students that will benefit will be at least 15 students. This does not include the peer volunteers from grades 7 and 8. The potential for expansion of this project will include 5th grade students as they enter the middle school, and perhaps having high school students come and teach a sport they are involved in. This project will continue to benefit the students in this class and all peer helpers for many years to come.
