Fit to Learn: Making an Immediate Impact
February 24, 2011 | Written By: Healthy Schools Campaign
Teachers practice ways to integrate physical activity into classroom lessons at the second Fit to Learn training.
With HSC's Fit to Learn training well underway, we are beginning to see teachers put the training into practice in their own schools! Fit to Learn was developed to help train educators from Chicago Public Schools to bring nutrition, health and wellness into their curriculum and provide the skills to pass on what they have learned to other teachers.
Day 1 of training began with an introduction of healthy lesson plans for grades K-2 and 3-5, overviews of childhood obesity, the connection between health and academic achievement in school and the wellness efforts such as Go for the Gold that are already underway in CPS. This initial session was so well received by the attendees that HSC added a repeat session for new teachers who were interested in getting involved!
Day 2 got right to work with a focus on physical activity and non-food based rewards. This day of training aimed to introduce teachers to ways of rewarding good behavior that did not include pizza parties or sweet treats. This training day also encouraged teachers to begin putting what they learned on Day 1 into practice by writing their own lesson plans and learning how to introduce their schools to the Fit to Learn concepts.
Perhaps most exciting, teachers reported that they are already putting what they've learned into practice to make healthy changes at their schools! Teachers said:
“This is so functional and very informative. Best PD I’ve been to in years!”
“I gained ideas I can apply in my classroom tomorrow.”
“I enjoyed the hands on activities and websites I can use in my class. I learned how to integrate wellness into reading, math and language arts.”
Several teachers also reported that their participation in Fit to Learn helped them support their schools in the effort to Go for the Gold and meet the high standards of the HealthierUS School Challenge. Stay posted for spotlights on Fit to Learn teachers and their efforts to make wellness a regular part of the school experience.
To learn more about Fit to Learn, visit www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/FitToLearn.
