MyPyramid.gov

MyPyramid.gov - United States Department of Agriculture - Home

This site states its: "An interactive computer game where kids can reach Planet Power by fueling their rocket with food and physical activity. “Fuel” tanks for each food group help students keep track of how their choices fit into MyPyramid."

Possibly a worthwhile resource for your students.

P.E. credit for outside activities

USATODAY.com - Online phys ed takes hold in Minneapolis:

"Last year, as the tall, cheerful South High School senior neared
graduation, he was finding it hard to complete his physical education
requirement while balancing studies, sports and a social life. Then
Miller discovered that through a new online class he could fulfill his
phys-ed credit after school by playing on the Ultimate Frisbee team."

I posted about this in my other blog and liked the concept of crediting students for work they do outside the school.

If one of the goals of a P.E. program is to develop skills and habits of physical fitness and activity, this seems to be the best way to address it. Let kids know that there healthy choices are so important that we would give them credit. These students can focus their time on tasks and skills that they need more help on. Conversely, if a student spends time at home writing and has proven proficiency in writing, maybe they lack some key habits or skills in physical fitness and might receive extra support in P.E. It seems like if we value P.E. we'll provide the same types of remedial support to it as we do to other subject areas. At the same time for those students who excel or spend vasts amounts of time in activity outside of school, they should be credited.



This may not be a perfect solution but one that has potential and principles worth exploring.

'Virtual cafeteria' teaches good eating habits

'Virtual cafeteria' teaches good eating habits: "In the virtual cafeteria, Cathy, an animated cafeteria worker, stands behind the daily menu items with a static, maternal smile on her face. With the sound of a busy cafeteria buzzing in the background, Cathy's talking word bubbles offer comments such as 'Good job! It looks like you know where to find vitamin A and vitamin C' when users place the soup and salad option on their lunch trays."

You can try out the virtual cafeteria as well.

Just Move

http://www.justmove.org/home.cfm
Just Move contains resources and information for anyone interested in keeping fit and living a healthy lifestyle. There are three main sections of the site: Exercise Diary, Fitness Resources and My Fitness. The Exercise Diary offers users the opportunity to record their daily fitness regimen and keep a log of their activity and how they are meeting the goals they have set. Registration is required but it is free.

Eat well win an ipod

Here's one school's method of encouraging healthy eating.

Scotsman.com News - Health - Health food sounds so good to pupils: "AN INCENTIVE scheme to get secondary school pupils to choose healthier food options at lunchtime gave its strongest adherents their just desserts yesterday, with a range of hi-tech gadgets the reward for eating lettuce and fresh fruit salad."

From the PE Consultant

Here's some links passed on to me by our PE consultant. Check out our permanent links on our sidebar.

The following two sites are looking for class or school participation

http://www.cbc.ca/montreal/features/weightoftheworld/index.html

This is a site from CAHPHERD called Weight of the World

http://www.cahperd.ca/eng/story_detail.cfm?id=47

This is a site from CAHPERD called SpecTAGular

Video Games that will improve fitness

What? I thought video games were anti-fitness activities. Well in most cases they are but here's a great example of using technology to support fitness.Dance Dance success stories

I made a posting in my other blog about this a while back. I think finding ways to motivate kids to be more active is something to keep an eye on.

Speed Stacks

Speed Stacks, Inc., Cup Stacking Video Clips This site has some neat samples of speed stacking. If you aren't sure what it is, check it out.


There has been quite a number of schools in Moose Jaw that are using speed stacks. While it may not be a highly active sport, it does have strong links to improving both sides of the brain.

A number of the Moose Jaw News teams have done reports on speed stack including the King George and Westmount news teams.

Tampabay: Schools take a new look at how fitness can fuel brains

Another good example of schools understanding the link between fitness and academic performance.
Tampabay: Schools take a new look at how fitness can fuel brains