aces & paces

www.cyphderbyshire.co.uk 0

Derbyshire Children & Young People’s Health

Promotion supports:

ACES & PACES ‘All Children Exercise Simultaneously’

& ‘Parents and Children Exercise

Simultaneously’

RESOURCE MANUAL

www.cyphderbyshire.co.uk 1 1

Table of Contents What is ACES? 2

The Case for Physical Activity 3

PACES 4

Planning and Programme Suggestions 5 Nutrition and Physical Activity 7 Programme Ideas 9 ACES Activity Suggestions 13

PACES Suggestions 18

Promotional Materials 19

Pedometer Lesson Ideas 23

Sample School Physical Activity Policy 25

Useful Websites 29


What is ACES? Project ACES was started in 1989 by Physical Education Teacher Len Saunders of New Jersey, USA. Len wanted to get one school in every state to exercise at the same time on a specific day in May to motivate his physical education classes to exercise. Within months of completing ACES 1989, Len started receiving mail for the 1990 ACES event, which at the time did not even exist! The rest is history! The programme is growing each year and now includes over 50 countries. Derbyshire Children and Young People’s Health Promotion programme has supported ACES since 2006. ACES will take place on the first Wednesday in May – or the nearest date to this that is convenient to your school. For more information about Project ACES, go to www.projectaces.com or check on the Derbyshire Children and Young People’s Health Promotion programme’s website: www.cyphderbyshire.co.uk

Pupils at Horsley Woodhouse Primary School, 2010


The Case for Physical Activity

We see it on the news, hear about it on the radio, and read about it in the papers - the United Kingdom is becoming a country filled with people who have health problems related to being overweight, obese and unfit. Children are more active than adults. However, it is unclear whether they participate in sufficient activity to achieve the full range of health benefits. The Chief Medical Officers report (2009) states that:

Levels of inactivity amongst children are startlingly high. Amongst 2-15 year olds, 68% of boys and 76% of girls do not meet the minimum recommendation of an hour of moderate physical activity per day. As a result, children are being exposed to health risks including obesity, weak bones and future heart disease.

Overweight and obesity can be prevented - and physical activity can play a substantial role in bringing it under control. Children can learn that physical activity can be a lifelong habit that is both fun and rewarding. The benefits of regular physical activity include:

Building strong bones and strengthening muscles. Maintaining flexibility. Achieving a healthy weight. Promoting good posture and balance. Improving fitness. Strengthening the heart. Improving self-esteem. Increasing relaxation. Enhancing healthy growth and development. References: 2009 Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer. Produced by the Department of Health.


PACES In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Project ACES the creator of Project ACES introduced PACES. PACES is an acronym for 'Parents And Children Exercise Simultaneously’. PACES Day takes place every weekend throughout the year, highlighted on the first Saturday in May after ACES day. Children need daily, quality physical activity in schools, and exercise time at home (PACES).

Through PACES, families are encouraged to make a personal commitment to some form of exercise as a family each week-end.

A number of schools have encouraged families to start this, and have given them some ideas through encouraging their participation in their ACES day.

For further information: www.lensaunders.com/paces


Planning and Programme

Suggestions Planning and Programme Suggestions to Make Being Active Fun! Welcome to ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) & PACES (Parents And Children Exercise Simultaneously). Benefits of being more physically active include feeling better, increased energy level and alertness, increased calories burned, reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, reduced risk of diabetes and cancer, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and improved balance and coordination. Being physically active has also been shown to improve self-esteem and confidence. Since many new schools join in the celebration every year, we have developed this section to provide you with ideas to use for your ACES celebration. We rely on schools to use the feedback form to tell us what worked at their celebrations and how many people have participated. So, please help make ACES a success by sending us your ACES form with your feedback. You will be sent a feedback form and a freepost envelope after your event. Start with a Plan Your plan for an ACES celebration can be as simple as leading everyone on a walk around the school grounds. The more fun you make it and the more time you commit to it, the greater the impact will be on the children and young people. To help plan ACES day, this manual includes some suggestions. If you have some ideas you would like to share, please include them on the feedback form. Don’t forget to include children and young people in planning your event. This can be through circle time, school council, suggestion boxes etc. Remember to involve the whole school community including governors, mid-day supervisors, caretakers, administrative staff, school meals staff, parents etc.

“The Year Sixes were invaluable in helping to

organise and set up the ACES day. New ideas were introduced and new games were played. All the children and staff joined in and the day was a

success again!” Willington Primary School, 2010


Marketing There are lots of things you can do to promote ACES, both at your school and around the community. The “Publicity and Promotion” section of this manual has lots of good ideas to help publicise the event in your community, but here are a few ideas to try in your school: 1. Remind the students about ACES during every assembly/physical education

class in the days leading up to the event. 2. Ask classroom teachers to provide frequent reminders about ACES. 3. Put information about ACES in your school newsletter and/or send information

home to the parents asking them to participate too. 4. Pupils can make posters to display around school and fliers to take home for

parents and carers.

Who to Invite The more the merrier. Why not invite parents/carers, grandparents, or local exercise instructors in your community to help you celebrate ACES and support PACES. They can help plan and demonstrate activities at your facility or serve as role models to show that physical activity is for all ages. Why not invite the media to cover the event and join in on the fun?

After a very intense set of games...lots of discoveries of exceptionally talented

children (we were scouting for a cricket and rounders team that day too!)...superb team work...and lots of fun…. what AN ACE DAY!!!!!!!

Eureka Primary School, 2011

“We emphasise the importance of physical activity throughout the year. We advertise PACES via the weekly newsletter and posters

designed by the School Council. We have more parents participate each year.”

Elmsleigh Infant & Nursery School, 2010

Pupils at Eureka Primary School enjoy a game of quick cricket. 2011


Nutrition and Physical Activity This section can help you incorporate nutrition into your ACES day celebration. Nutrition is an important part of good health and goes hand-in-hand with physical activity. Try to involve your catering service personnel in the planning. Your students and staff will welcome a healthy snack and drink at the end of your ACES celebration. Frequent stops to encourage pupils and staff to re-hydrate and to encourage an understanding of the importance of drinking water should also be included. Some Facts: Less than 4% of 4 to 6 year olds eat the recommended five or more servings of

fruit and vegetables each day. Among 4 to 18 year olds one in five eat no fruit at all in a week. The percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight has more than

doubled in the past 20 years: The figures for Derbyshire for 2013/14 show that 20.3% of reception pupils overweight or obese. For year 6 pupils, 34.5% were overweight or obese. (National Child Measurement Data 2013/14.)

Good nutrition lowers people’s risk for many chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

The UK has one of the lowest fruit and vegetable intakes in Europe. Schools can be a place for children to be active and enjoy eating and learning about nutritious foods. If you don’t have a breakfast club, you may wish to provide one on ACES day. Research shows that children who participate in a school breakfast programme have improved school performance and reduced absenteeism and lateness. It can also lead to improved co-operation, concentration, improved behaviour and pupils settling to their work more readily. ACES can also provide a good opportunity to work with your school catering service. Healthy snacks and water could be offered to the children following the ACES activity. Your school catering service could provide healthy foods such as: fresh fruit. low-fat cheese cubes. semi skimmed milk. cut-up veggies and low-fat veggie dip. pure fruit juice. fruit kebabs.


ACES participants could also bring healthy snacks from home, such as: an apple, banana, or orange. carrot or celery sticks. low-fat yoghurt.

Aerobics session at Darley Dale Primary School, 2010


Programme Ideas

The head teacher, teachers, staff, or community members (parents, carers, grandparents, etc.) can lead the activities. You can bring also music out to the playground or to the gym, or consider these suggestions:

“A skipping workshop was held at Hague Bar Primary

School on Monday, 8th March. All the children, staff and interested parents were trained in a variety of skipping

games. The workshop was to prepare us for our ACES day on Wednesday, 5th May. We combined our ACES day with our Sports Relief day. Children came to school dressed in

‘sports’ clothes and the whole school skipped together in the afternoon. Older children partnered young ones and we

also raised £56 for Sports Aid.” Hague Bar Primary School, 2010

Use fun songs that all the children and young people know:

YMCA. The Chicken Dance. The Macarena. The Twist. The Bunny Hop. Amarillo (Peter Kay). Barbie Girl Play ‘oldies’ or the children and young people’s current favourites.

Set up stations and have a different physical activity at each station. Teachers or

parents or even students can lead these stations. Each classroom teacher accompanies his/her students and when the music stops, they move to the next station.

Get a local radio station to broadcast live at your school. Then have the other schools tune in and participate along with the school that’s “live.”

Try Using a Theme such as:

Beach Party - Encourage everyone to wear sunglasses and bring a beach towel that can be used on the playground for exercises or activities that require them to sit on the ground.

“We had a beach party, with beach games – volleyball,

cricket etc. Children came dressed in sunhats, glasses, Bermuda shorts etc.”

Peak School, 2010


Think Pink - Use a Pink Panther theme with pink clothing and sunglasses. Play the Pink Panther theme song for your opening music.

Country Western Roundup - Invite some line dance teachers to help the children and young people with some basic steps.

Martial Arts - Invite some local instructors in various forms of martial arts and introduce the children and young people to something they may not have tried before.

Arrange an inter-school event – join with another school or arrange to travel to a

school in a different area i.e. town/rural or infant/junior, primary/secondary links.

“It was fabulous. The local secondary school sent a team of boys to teach a dance to all of our children. Parent involvement was fantastic and it was a real

community event.” Buxton Infant School, 2010


Other Ideas If you don’t have a playground big enough for these activities, consider taking your school on a walk through the local neighbourhood. Ask the police to provide an escort and make sure you have enough adults to walk with the children and young people.

“We had a ‘World Cup’ themed ACES activity morning. There were 7 stations each with a different football activity

planned. The event was a fabulous success and even included the assistance of Brookfield Secondary School

pupils.” Walton Holymoorside Primary School 2010

“We walked (the whole school) to Ruby Wood where the children had planted bulbs a few years ago….. The children

walked around the wood, built ‘a den’ and played hide and seek. Parents were invited through the weekly newsletter.”

Biggin CE Primary School 2008

“The whole school participated in a carousel of activities and parents were invited to join in. Activities ranged from tug-of-war, parachute and football, to

outdoor aerobics in the playground. The number of parents attending was higher than last year and everyone felt the day was a great success.”

Granby Junior School 2010 In Case of Rain Have an alternate plan ready in case of inclement weather. Students could go to the gym and/or cafeteria and exercise together. ACES can also be done on an alternate

233 pupils from Fairfield Primary School were joined by 73 adults – including

parents and carers – and well behaved dogs on 4 different walks. Each walk was supported by 8 year 10 pupils.

2008


day when the weather is fine; the important idea is to demonstrate that physical activity can be fun and is important for a healthy lifestyle. Ideas from Other Schools The following pages include ideas from schools that have participated in ACES. Remember, activities can be as simple as a walk around the school grounds or as elaborate as a weeklong celebration.

“Student Council were involved in the decisions made and choice of activities. Activities ran and lasted for 30 minutes each session.

These included: rowing machines, cricket, dry board surfing, fencing and pilates. During the afternoon the whole school did a walk

(approx 1.5 miles). Fruit kebabs were made for everyone at break.” The Delves Special School, 2008

“The school council made a choice to do a fun run this year for ACES day. We have extensive grounds so the whole school went out on the field and ran/walked/jogged around the school field. It

was a great success and something we will do again.” Heage Primary School, 2010


ACES Activity Suggestions

Below is a list of activities that have been used in schools for ACES events. The possibilities are endless. They are organised into categories for easy use. Tag Games Walk-tag activity. Choices of “stick in the mud” and “chain” tag. Everyone Is It Team Tag. Tag rugby. Walk/Jog/Run Brisk walking, jogging, jump roping. Children pair up and walk around the gym for 30 minutes while listening to music. Make new friends and support younger/less able pupils by mixing classes The students are organized into small groups and group leaders walk their

groups around the school grounds and meet back at the starting point where they finish up with leader exercises.

Walking around the playground. As an entire school, walk or jog around the perimeter of the school then go into

the gym for aerobics, cool down, and stretching. Turn the hallway, gym, and lunch room into a walking course. Walk-to-School Day – ACES Day can begin with the entire student body being

invited to walk to school. Planning meetings were held with school staff, school health coordinator, school head teacher, and local police. Informational flyers and safety tips for walking were sent home to parents prior to the event. Two students also took part in a local radio advertising spot to inform community members. The police offered assistance with traffic flow, students carried signs and students who didn’t live in the neighbourhood were dropped off by parents at an empty field about ½ a mile from the school.

Three mile run for 30 students; half-mile walk for all other students. Walk around community with litter clean-up volunteers. As an entire school walk around the building then form a huge circle and do

jumping jacks and talk about the importance of ACES/regular physical activity. Have the entire school participate in a warm up, run, cool down – all to music. Have senior students lead the school in exercises & stretches for the first five

minutes. For the next 10 minutes pairs of senior students lead students around the campus in follow-the-leader style.

Students walk around the playground, which had been previously measured and found to be 1/10 of a mile long. Each student receives a straw each time he/she completes one lap. After one complete mile, each student earns a rubber ball. More exercise occurs as children play with their new toys. Students who walk two or more miles earn water bottles.


Dance Aerobics with fitness instructor. Dance to YMCA, Chicken Dance, Hokey Cokey, Celebration, or Conga Dance. Invite a hip hop dance troupe to come and teach dance to the children and young

people and then have them give a performance. Invite a local DJ to come and have the entire school go outside to the playing

field and move to music. Also lead low-key aerobics, and do the YMCA song and the Macarena.

Have two aerobic instructors (who are also parents/carers to children at our school) lead a thirty-minute aerobics class.

Street Dance (which encouraged many of the boys to participate) Do The Twist, the YMCA.

A dance session being enjoyed by all at Langley Mill C of E Infant School, 2010

Stations Ten different stations are set up for the students and staff to work through outside

in the fresh air. A year 6 class runs each station. Stations include jump ropes, ball skills, balloons, beanbags, dance, base running, hula-hoops, etc.

Egg race, tug-o-war, sack race, three-legged race, balloon toss, bike race, kick boxing demo.

Jump ropes, hula-hoops, ball passing, follow-the-leader (around the playground), and hopscotch (5 consecutive mats). Everyone is moving.

Basketball, jump rope, four square, tag, throwing and catching, animal actions, various exercises, soccer, and dancing.

Long jump rope, roll and jump, toss and catch, horseshoes, kickball game, badminton.


Walking, jogging, jump rope, hula-hoops, uni-cycling, juggling, play ground obstacle course, parachute activities.

Kick ball, shuttle runs, relays, and standing broad jump. Five centres are set up outside around the school building. Students are divided

into groups and asked to hop backwards as they move from centre to centre. Centres consist of hula-hoops, Simon Says, cartwheels, jumping jacks, throwing Frisbees.

Follow the leader, basketball games, and circuits. Station work: 1) basic run, 2) hula hoops, 3) jump ropes, 4) paddle work, 5)

locomotion movement, 6) obstacle course, 7) dribbling skills. Three stations per year group covering cardio-respiratory, strength and stretch, and muscular endurance. One of the three stations is related to fitness to music. One station is sports related – basketball, hockey, soccer, and tennis. Other stations for the whole school include shadow boxing, kickboxing, dyna bands, steppers, aerobic dance, line dance, rhythm drum.

Exercises The school gathers outside and makes a large circle. Teachers lead students in

stretching and exercises. Teachers discuss the importance of exercise. Toe touches, jumping jacks, jump rope, jog/walk, 20 minute “power walk” around

school environment. Exercises (toe touches, jumping jacks, cross toe touches, leg lifts, leg kicks);

aerobics using water bottle weights; stretching, running in place, playground activities, a dance party.

Each class leads the group in a 3-5 minute activity: “Whitney’s Warm Ups”; Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes; Bear Hunt; Simon Says; Running in Place; Yoga; Chicken Dance.

A physical fitness workout to music– everything from dance, rope jumping, exercises, running, skipping, jumping, etc. All organized patterns and formations.

Group exercise to music including small equipment (hoops). Fitness Trail for school to walk. Each station has different exercises/activities to

perform. Each teacher leads a different exercise for the whole school that is standing in a

circle.


Other Jump roping activities. Body percussion. Relays, running, dancing with instruments, obstacle course. Kite flying, playing basketball and tennis. Frisbee. “Simon Says” stretching activities. In-line skating, scooters, skateboard, walking, jogging, jump rope, hoops. Jog around the building, hula-hoops, jumping ropes. Each teacher is asked to do what he or she wants in his or her own classroom. Participating in a variety of movement skills that will take you around the building

as often as possible in the time provided with signs that direct everyone as to how to move around the building. Each time you come to a new sign use the movement skills that are on the sign. Include skills such as sliding (shuffling), galloping, skipping, walking, and marching. If there are students who choose simply to walk that is fine, at least they are moving.

School wide Trainer Hunt: Students are organized in teams: Each child takes off one trainer and the teachers collect them and pile them in five separate piles. On the count of three, the children hop on one foot until they find their trainer. Once they find their trainer, they put it back on and then they continue to help their team mates, but they have to skip.

Kickboxing, yoga, tai chi, karate, hip-hop dance, running, walking, modern jazz dance.

Walking laps, dancing, basketball, football, and baseball. Gardening and planting bulbs. Some favourite activities from previous years: Line dancing Aerobics Circuits including multi-skills Walk to local wood, build den, play

hide & seek Tai Chi Gymnastics Circus skills Obstacle courses Skipping Jogging Street dance Tug of war Parachute games Relays Soccerobics Active 8 Ball skills

Dance activities Boxercise Rowing machines Cricket Dry board surfing Yoga Fencing Pilates Karate Salsa dancing Treasure hunt Zumba dance session Judo Kick boxing Netball Morris dancing


Long term Impact

Many schools have enjoyed long-term impact as a result of ACES.

This includes: Everyone enjoyed the running event and staff have discussed the possibility of

more regular morning activities. Greater awareness and 10 minutes of exercise a day introduced at the beginning

of the day. Developing ideas, as a new co-ordinator ACES day was a good basis for similar

events (events now planned for summer term). Lunchtimes have improved since active play been a focus. Pupils and parents

aware of its importance. Now try to have more physical after school activities and enter more events

organised by the SSP. Increased parental involvement and staff teamwork. Also an opportunity for

children to try new activities. Teachers given the opportunity to teach PE rather than using outside providers.

We have introduced an aerobics session before school once a week. We are introducing regular Take 10, Boogie Beebies/Dough Disco and KS2

Wake Up Shake Up. Provides opportunities for activities where children work in mixed groups of

reception to year 6. Staff get to work with all children in the school which is great. We now hold a mini sports event every half term in the foundation stage. We have decided to have more dance and large group activities during dinner

times. It helps to reinforce the high profile we have on physical activity with our school. Yes, we have 10 minutes ‘Activate’ sessions in each class daily. MDS playing a greater selection of games at lunchtime. All playtimes have structured play type games. Enhanced awareness of the importance of physical activity in our school

community. After this event we organised a line dancing whole school session with parents as

part of our America theme week. Lots of fun, but also an impact on increasing awareness of the importance of

physical activity and the positive impact it has on our bodies. We are extending the range of lunchtime activities and using our playworkers to

teach the children how to play new games and interact in a more positive way. We are going to hold more dance workshops as a result. Children now play the new games we introduced to them at playtimes/lunchtimes. Yes, parents asked if we could have ‘fantastic Friday’ skipping day once a week –

we are aiming to do this as often as the weather allows. Greater awareness in the short/medium term linked with other PE/sport activities

e.g. playground games. Yes, we dance altogether in the playground, usually twice a week (weather

permitting) for 15 minutes. The children continue to play music outside and work out dance routines. More parents aware of mini leaders and lunchtime games.


PACES Suggestions Some of the ACES ideas above have involved parents, and here are some other suggestions:

Pedometer Challenge: Involve parents/carers by asking them to contribute to a pedometer challenge. The child/young person will wear the pedometer during the school day and the parent/carer wears the pedometer in the evenings and weekends. Totals could be collected by class, year or school. LACES for PACES and ACES: Invite parents/carers, even younger siblings and grandparents to join in your ACES activities, then every child who has a family member join in, either on ACES or PACES day receives a pair of brightly coloured laces. Activity Diary: Send home a simple weekly/monthly activity diary for families to fill in. Give ideas of simple activities that parents/carers can do that are not necessarily sports based or that cost money. Community Day: Involve your local sports development unit and/or school sports partnership and run a community day on PACES day. Run a series of activities that adults and children can try together. Remember, they don’t have to be sports activities, try also dance, gardening, drama based activities etc. Invite the parents, carers and grandparents to ACES day to give them encouragement and ideas to continue with their children out of school. If your PACES event is a big success, please share it with us and we can add your ideas to the manual for next year. Please complete the feedback form that comes with this manual. Thank you.


Promotional Materials

ACES promotional materials in this section include the following: Press Release Suggestions. Sample Press Release - to be adapted for use by your school. Suggestions of Who to Invite - look over this list to find potential guests who

would add to your event. Sample Invitation to Parents.

Press Release Suggestions In this section there is a sample press release for you to use to notify the local media of ACES. This is a great opportunity to get your school and your physical activity programme recognized countywide and within your community. The Derbyshire Children and Young People’s Health Promotion Programme will send press releases to all major daily and weekly newspapers in the county three weeks prior to the event. However, a press release received directly from a local participating school may be more likely to get published. Here are a few steps to follow when using the sample release: 1. The press release can be personalised with your school and necessary

information. This is also the time to add any additional material you feel is important.

2. Before sending the press release, call the newspaper, television station, or radio

station and ask them who covers local school events. Address the release to that person.

3. After sending the information, it helps to make a follow-up call to make sure they

received it and answer any questions they may have. 4. If the media decides to cover your event, have someone meet them when they

arrive at your school. 5. If you get media coverage, we would love to have a copy.


Sample Press Release to be Adapted for Your

School

(To be printed on School Letterhead, include the current date and a contact person with a phone number.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Derbyshire Schools Participate in Worldwide ACES & PACES Day

Celebration

(Your school name here) will be joining other schools in Derbyshire and around the world in an international event to promote physical activity on (date) at (time). ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) and PACES (Parents & Children Exercise Simultaneously) is a one-day youth exercise programme with the goal of educating children about the importance of lifelong fitness and its impact on health throughout the lifespan. Children can still enjoy Project ACES at school, but participate in PACES at home. PACES Day not only promotes exercise time, but family time. On Saturday, (date) the annual PACES Day will be held. Physical inactivity is a growing concern for all children in Derbyshire and around the world. While once our children went outside to play, more and more you find them either sitting in front of the television or playing computer or video games. Obesity, which can be directly linked to physical inactivity, has risen dramatically. ACES helps demonstrate that physical activity can be fun and easy to do. The Derbyshire Children & Young People’s Health Promotion Programme supports ACES. At (your school name here) the students will be (describe what your school will be doing during the event). (The following is optional depending on whether you have invited others to join you.) The school has also invited some special guests to take part in this fitness celebration. Joining us will be (list the name and position of the “celebrities” you have invited). ACES was founded by New Jersey, USA, physical educator Len Saunders in 1989 because he wanted to encourage his students to be more physically active. By the third year the event went worldwide and more than 5 million children participated. Each year the programme reaches millions of children in more than 50 countries.


Suggestions of Whom to Invite ACES is an excellent way to promote the importance of physical activity in your school. Take advantage of this opportunity by inviting members of your community to participate in ACES. This not only provides your school with more exposure, but shows your students that exercise can be done at any age and can be fun. By including community members at your event, you may increase the interest of the local media. Media coverage not only helps spread your school’s message, but also the message about physical activity. Below is a list of possible people to invite to your school to participate in ACES. Make sure to include them in any press releases that you write. Mayor Local Council Members Police Officer Firemen and Paramedics Local Celebrities Media personalities Local sports reporter DJ from local radio station

School Don’t forget to include those already involved with your school, such as: PTA School Food Service School volunteers School Governors Parents/Carers Office staff Others Local gyms/fitness centre Sports Development Department Walking Clubs Scout Leaders Church Groups Youth workers The Whole Community


Sample Invitation to Parents (To be reproduced on school letterhead) Dear Parent We would like to invite you to our school on (date) at _____________ (time). At that time, your child’s class will join with other classes in Project ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously). This is the world’s largest exercise class. Our school is participating along with thousands of schools around the world. Millions of other students will be taking part in their own Project ACES Day programme. Our Project ACES Day programme is organised to:

Teach our children to be fit for life, encouraging quality daily exercise for

everyone. Demonstrate our school’s commitment to health education, including fitness and

good nutrition. Stimulate physical fitness and good health habits among all the families and

individuals in our school community. It’s not just for children and young people. We are also promoting PACES (Parents & Children Exercise Simultaneously). You are invited to attend our ACES event on (date) at (enter time) and then also take part in PACES every weekend starting on Saturday (date). You can register for PACES on line, so your family is recognized as participating with the millions worldwide. IT'S FREE! Sign up at: http://www.lensaunders.com/paces/signup.php or come and sign up at school and we will add your name to the website for you. We look forward to meeting you at our event on (date). Regards


Pedometer Lesson Ideas Jog and Jump Warm Up Assign the students to a numbered cone as they enter the gym. The cones should be set up in numerical order on the perimeter of the boundaries of a large rectangle. The students need room to jog clockwise around the outside of the cones. Have the equipment at each cone or have the students get the equipment on the way to the cone. On signal, one partner will jog clockwise around the perimeter of the area while the other partner practices their jump rope skills (have a skills sheet with the jump rope skills you want them to practice on it). The jumpers need to stay within the rectangle while their partners jog around the outside of the area. After three minutes, have the joggers stop and open/look at the Pedometer, check their step number, and go back to their cone. The jogger records his/her steps while the other partner puts the Pedometer on and resets it to zero. On signal the new jogger jogs and the other partner jumps rope. After both partners complete the warm-up, have them add their scores together for their team score. Steps to Fitness This simple activity is just another way to use pedometers to motivate students to move, as well as promote the concept that movement is what's important for health, not the game score. As groups or teams participate in game situations, for example mini-soccer games (2 versus 2), they wear their pedometers. Allow the students to play for a set amount of time. When time is up, instead of counting goals scored, individuals write their number of steps on a personal chart. Students will then be able to add their steps over several days or compare a set amount of time in soccer to the same amount of time in a tag game. Students can make judgements about the quality of different activities in promoting fitness. For individual assessment purposes, approximately 600 steps = 1/4 mile, 1200 steps = 1/2 mile, 1800 steps = 3/4, or 2400 steps = one mile. Moving Across Great Britain Explain to the class that they will plot their progress across the country, as a group. Allow the students to wear their pedometers for whatever period you feel appropriate (PE lessons, break and lunchtime, all day, at home etc).


Total the number of steps the class has taken during this time. Calculate the number of miles walked using the students average stride length. Track their progress on a large map. Nature Treasure Hunt with Pedometers Divide the students into small groups (4-5) and give each group a treasure hunt worksheet. Students will use their knowledge of plants/rocks/soil to find items listed on the treasure hunt worksheet. Review all of the items on the list that they are to find. Discuss the boundaries for the hunt outside, if needed. When the list has been completed turn in the clipboard and wait for the other groups to finish. Once everyone has finished move back inside and open up the pedometers. Ask students to write down the number of steps on the treasure hunt worksheet. Use this time to discuss: Place value; Estimation (Estimate how many steps that they think they might take during the

activity and then have them subtract the actual steps and estimated steps to find out the difference. Have they over estimated or under estimated?

Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; and The ability to categorize the objects found, how are they classified? Track or record steps taken (compare/contrast steps taken between/among activities). (Older students could compute total distance covered over the course of a unit [in miles] or even the average number of steps taken per activity.)


Sample School Physical Activity Policy This is a model policy for Primary and Secondary schools. It needs adapting

to fit your school. Any parts of the policy that are not appropriate to your school, need to be deleted or changed to fit your situation.

Why have a physical activity policy? We have a responsibility to help students and staff establish and maintain lifelong habits of being physically active. According to the Chief Medical Officer (Department of Health, 2004), regular physical activity is one of the most important things people can do to maintain and improve their physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of premature death in general and of heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer and diabetes in particular. Promoting a physically active lifestyle among young people is important because:

through its effects on mental health, physical activity can help increase students' capacity for learning;

physical activity has substantial health benefits for children and adolescents, including favourable effects on endurance capacity, muscular strength, body weight, and blood pressure; and

positive experiences with physical activity at a young age help lay the basis for being regularly active throughout life.

Therefore this policy promotes practices within the school to reinforce our vision, and to remove or discourage practices that negate them.

What is Physical Activity? Physical activity is defined as “any force exerted by skeletal muscle that results in energy expenditure above resting level” and includes “the full range of human movement, from competitive sport and exercise to active hobbies, walking and cycling or activities of daily living”. How is Physical Activity provided? 1. School ethos 2. Physical Education Lessons 3. Other curriculum opportunities for physical activity 4. Extra-curricular physical activity 5. Travelling to school 6. Supervised break time activity 7. Accessible and adequate facilities 8. Staff opportunities 9. Community involvement


School Ethos Every student shall be physically educated - that is, shall develop the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities, maintain physical fitness, regularly participate in physical activity, understand the short- and long-term benefits of physical activity, and value and enjoy physical activity as an ongoing part of a healthful lifestyle. In addition, staff are encouraged to participate in and model physical activity as a valuable part of daily life. Physical Education Lessons There is a sequential scheme of work of physical education that involves moderate to vigorous physical activity on a regular basis; teaches knowledge, motor skills, self-management skills, and positive attitudes; promotes activities and sports that students enjoy and can pursue throughout their lives; is taught by well-prepared and well-supported staff; and is coordinated with the PSHEE curriculum. Every student in each year, shall participate in regular physical education for the entire school year, including students with disabling conditions and those in alternative education programs. (Students in the Foundation Stage shall participate in physical education for at least 60 minutes during each school week, and students in Key Stage 1 and 2 shall participate for at least 120 minutes per week.) The scheme of work makes effective use of school and community resources and equitably serve the needs and interests of all students and staff, taking into consideration differences of gender, cultural norms, physical and cognitive abilities, and fitness levels. See Physical Education Policy statement and scheme of work. Other curriculum opportunities for activity All staff look for opportunities to plan active lessons where possible and appropriate, for example; delivering literacy, speaking and listening through drama. Staff may use physical activity such as brain gym, stretches, games to break up sessions which are static or when they realise pupil concentration is waning. The aim of this is to improve concentration as well as contribute through snacktivity to pupils’ physical health.

Extra curricular Physical activity The school offers a physical activity programme that features a broad range of activities and meeting the following criteria: students have a choice of a diverse activities in which they can participate.

Competitive, non-competitive, structured, un-structured, and including some non-sport options e.g. gardening or drama.

every student has an opportunity to participate regardless of physical ability. students have the opportunity to be involved in the planning, organisation, and

administration of the programme. home schooled students should have access.


All activities shall be supervised by qualified staff, who may or may not be qualified teachers. Family members and other adult volunteers are encouraged to become involved with school activities. All volunteers shall receive orientation about relevant school policies, procedures, and standards of conduct and may be subject to background and reference checks.

Travelling to school The school has a travel plan that has developed safer routes to school & encourages active methods of travelling. There is a traffic free zone outside school at critical hours. There is secure cycle storage, cycle safety & maintenance courses offered by the school.

Break time Activity Break time provides opportunities for physical activity, which helps students stay alert and attentive in class and provides other educational and social benefits. The school has playgrounds, playground markings, toys and equipment available for free play. Mid-day supervisors engage pupils in physical activity at lunchtime. The Playground pals organise activity for those that want it at break time. Break times shall complement, not substitute for, physical education classes. Staff will make every effort not to deny a student's participation in break time or other physical activity as a form of discipline or punishment, nor should they cancel it for instructional makeup time. There maybe exceptional circumstances where this is not possible.

Facilities The school endeavours to ensure the cost-efficient provision of adequate spaces, facilities, equipment, supplies, and operational budgets that are necessary to achieve the objectives of the physical activity program. The use of physical education facilities for non-instructional purposes, such as using the gymnasium for school assemblies during times scheduled for physical education classes will be minimized. Access to sports halls and playgrounds after school hours will be permitted where ever it is appropriate to do so.

Staff Opportunities There are planned, established, and implemented activities to promote physical activity among staff and provide opportunities for staff to engage in regular physical activity.

Community Involvement The school works with recreation agencies/sports development and other community organisations to coordinate and enhance opportunities available to students and staff


for physical activity joint school and community recreation activities. Please see outside agencies and visitor policy.

Equal Opportunities Physical activity needs to serve the needs and interests of all students and staff, taking into consideration differences of gender, cultural norms, physical and cognitive abilities, and fitness levels thereby encouraging participation.

Personnel The Physical Activity Co-ordinator is……………………………………………….

Monitoring and Evaluation The member of staff responsible will monitor levels of participation, and activity inside and outside the curriculum regularly and make appropriate adjustments. Pupils, parents and the wider community may also have a role in this process.

Policy Development and Review This policy document was produced in consultation with the entire school community, including pupils, parents, school staff, Governors, LEA representatives, community dietician, school community nurse and local Healthy School Standards representative. This document is freely available to the entire school community. It has also been made available in the school newsletter, web-site and prospectus. It will be reviewed on a …………………………..annual basis. Review Date………………………………………… Signed………………………………………………………………. Chair of Governors Date……………………………

Policy Links Physical Education PSHEE Science Food Behaviour External Contributors


Useful Websites Nutrition and Physical Activity Resources http://www.walktoschool.co.uk/ - Walk to School website www.nutrition.org.uk - British Nutrition Foundation

Games/Activities http://www.educate.org.uk/teacher_zone/classroom/pe/unit4.htm http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/pe/contents.htm http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/physical_ed/games/

Skipping Rope Activities http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/hopping/ http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-jump-rope/

Tag Games http://www.funattic.com/game_tag.htm http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activities/tag-games.page-1.html

Warm Up and Cool Down Activities http://physicaleducationresources.com/warmups_small_games_physical_education_resources.aspx How-To Web Sites The following websites give instructions on how to do some of the activities listed in the celebration suggestion section. How to Do the Macarena - http://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-Macarena How to Do the Virginia Reel - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_reel_(dance) How to Do the Chicken Dance - http://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-Chicken-Dance How to Play Blob Tag - http://www.ehow.com/how_4509847_play-blob-tag.html Physical Activity Resources for Parents British Heart Foundation http://www.bhf.org.uk/youngpeople/index.asp?secondlevel=96&thirdlevel=433&artID=1513 Change 4 Life http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/be-more-active.aspx British Nutrition Foundation http://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/lifestyle

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