PhilsBlog

SPARK

Posted At : January 19, 2008 1:09 PM | Posted By : Admin
Related Categories: Brain Research

SPARK
 
I just finished reading Dr John Ratey’s new book SPARK. The book was awesome. I am not saying that just because my name was mentioned in the book. I just finished the book, but reading it once is not enough, because there is so much valuable information contained in the book, I need to go back with my high lighter and mark all the key points. (I will probably need two high lighters because there are so many important key points)
 
The book clearly validates the importance of physical education in our schools. I have never felt prouder of my profession, as I did when I finished reading SPARK.
 
 For years, P.E. teachers knew the importance of physical education (better known as gym to the rest of the world). Now we have the research world, the science world, the medical world, and Harvard speaking for us.
Hopefully, Dr Ratey will become the voice of reason for the rest of the world, and through him (SPARK) the rest of the world will start to listen to our PE message.
 
At one point of the book, it was like “exercise” was on trial, and the information in SPARK was used as professional testimony. The judge ruled “exercise” was a legal viable option for improving quality of life. With the evidence produced at this trial, in the future we could legally hold schools accountable for endangering the safety and well being of children, if the schools did not offer quality daily PE.
 
Sometimes we (physical education teachers) set our goals, and measure our success, based on improving the fitness of students. Of course fitness is one of our major goals, but with exercise, we do so much more. After reading SPARK PE teachers will begin to really understand how truly important our curriculum is for children and physical education is the most powerful change agent affecting success and quality of life.
 
Just listing some of the chapters of the book begins to paint the picture of the significance of a quality physical education. A short summary of what we (PE teachers) do:
 
1.      exercise will grow more brain cells
2.      exercise will improve the ability to learn
3.      exercise will reduce stress (how stressful is it to be a child today – especially obese children)
4.      exercise will reduce anxiety
5.      exercise will reduce depression (one of the fastest growing medical issue for American children)
6.      exercise will have a very positive impact on ADHD (ADHD is problem that exercise can be part of the solution)
7.      exercise can help fight addictions (think of all the types of addictions your students suffer from)
 
SPARK also creates a great defense for the value of “daily” PE in your schools
 
The list of scientific researched that proves that value of exercise goes on and on……….when the nation finds out that a quality physical education program can do “all” of these things for children, we should never see PE cut back or under funded in America again.
 
One subject area (PE) that can improve the health of children, improve their ability to learn, improve their behavior, mood, attitude, and quality of life will become the foundation of schools in the 21st century.
 
Educating people is the key to positive change……we (PE teachers) now have SPARK as a tool to educate the world about the value of quality PE.
 
Now here is your challenge…first you must read the book, and then start telling everyone else to read the book starting with your Superintendent, school board, parents, local doctors, community leaders, and anyone else that cares about children.
 
Once the SPARK of change starts in your community, remember to contact PE4life for the “proven plan” to help your community implement a quality PE program.
 
Let SPARK start the FIRE in you to make a difference in the lives of children in America, they desperately need our help.
 

Comments (2) | Print | Send | 191 Views

Brain Research May Save PE

Posted At : December 8, 2007 7:28 PM | Posted By : Admin
Related Categories: Brain Research

Brain Research May Save PE
 
For the last several years, the childhood obesity crisis has caused discussion about bring back more PE into our schools. The childhood obesity crisis has caused a large amount of discussion but most school administrators have found reasons to fight against the return of physical education. It would cost too much, we don’t have enough time in the school day to add more PE, and we just don’t have the space. The excuses are countless, but the bottom line, educational leaders just don’t value PE enough to make PE and educational priority.
 
The bottom line is, schools are not funded based on the health of their students, and schools are not evaluated based on the health of their students. The bottom line, NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND is driving all educational decisions today. 99% of educational leaders see no link between physical education and test scores.
 
Good News, this is all about to change. Dr Ratey has a new book coming out in January, called SPARK. The book will contain all the latest scientific research that proves physical activity has a major impact on the brain and learning.
 
Our (PE4life) Academy in Naperville has been involved in a 3 year pilot program working with Dr Ratey from Harvard. The program is called Learning Readiness PE. The first year pilot was so successful, it was expanded year two. The first year our focus was on improving reading scores. The pilot worked with freshman below grade level in reading. In one semester we improved their reading scores a half a grade level. The third year of the pilot program, we included math, and we had the same results. This year the head of our math department is presenting at the national math conference, his topic, how PE can improve math scores.
 
Our entire school is being impact by Learning Readiness PE, including our administration. Last fall, our high school did an experiment during the week of our state standardized test.
 
State Standardized Testing week is sacred to administrators. The school, the administration, and even the entire community will be evaluated and rated by these test scores. In the past, students were told to get a good night sleep, eat a good breakfast, and be fully prepared to do their best on the test. The school is always put on a special schedule during test week. Usually testing last for about 4 hours each day, and students then go to shorten schedules of their core courses during the week (math, science, and literacy). Typically PE did not meet during testing week. PE teacher were scheduled to be test monitors.
 
Last fall our school’s state testing schedule changed. Each morning we had 3000 students walking the hall ways to fast beat music for 30 minutes before the students went to their testing stations. Weeks before testing, every classroom teacher went through extensive “brain research” training. All teachers were trained to lead students in brain researched physical activity between tests.
This fall when our school received their state test scores, we recorded the highest results in school history.
 
Many of our academic teachers are now integrating physical activity into their daily lesson plans. Brain research is changing our school culture. Physical Education is becoming the “hub” of the educational wheel instead of a spare tire to be used only in an emergency.
 
I promise this will not be the last blog on brain research.

Comments (0) | Print | Send | 144 Views