- Author: Shawna Rogers
When I arrived to do a lesson demonstration in the second grade class of Ms. Kopacz at Columbia Elementary, I was taken by surprise. Ms. Kopacz and her students were in the middle of their morning workout. She was playing some upbeat music, the lights were turned down and her students were engaged in an exercise routine. Students worked at their own level and pace while doing push ups, sit ups, planks, squats and stretches. As if I was not impressed enough by the students' attentiveness to the workout, I watched as they returned to their desks, finished stretching and enjoyed a healthy morning snack of bananas, yogurt, sandwiches on whole wheat bread, string cheese, and peanut butter crackers.
I complimented the students on their exercise routine, which I found out they had designed on their own. As I briefly described the benefits of exercise to the students, they sat at attention. I told them, as I am sure they have noticed, that exercise helps them both physically and academically. They had a sense of pride of their accomplishments. I felt guilty that I had to stop them so that I could teach, but it was a great segway into healthy eating and my lesson on Anytime vs. Sometimes snacks.
The movements of physical activity before my demonstration paid off tremendously. The students were focused, eager to answer questions and respectful. I did not have to redirect their attention once during my lesson! I was amazed!
During my lesson Ms. Kopacz took time to enjoy her morning snack as well. Demonstrating a strong example for the students, she had a banana, a yogurt drink and a hard boiled egg. Seeing this gave me the ability to make the easy connection to my lesson with the students. I applaud this behavior and I hope that others may follow suit. Way to go Ms. Kopacz and students in room 6!
- Author: Nath Say
The UC CalFresh team participated in the SPARK Early Childhood Training at the Merced County Department of Public Health on Thursday, July 30, 2015, and it was a hit!
What is SPARK? "SPARK is a research-based, public organization dedicated to creating, implementing, and evaluating programs that promote lifelong wellness. The program strives to improve the health of children, adolescents, and adults by disseminating evidence-based Physical Education, After School, Early Childhood, and Coordinated School Healthy programs to teachers and recreation leaders serving Pre-K through 12th grade students."
Participants who attended the interactive training engaged in many different physical activities such as dancing, moving like animals and tossing the parachute. Most activities included music and encouraged teachers to always involve every student in the classroom.
SPARK's enthusiastic trainer, Ken McFadden, has been an educator for 49 years. His expertise plays an instrumental role in training teachers on how to implement fun physical activities throughout the school day. He did a great job suggesting different classroom management skills we could use in our instruction.
SPARK introduces many ways to incorporate different games with the traditional parachute. Mr. McFadden showed participants a game called "Class Portrait" where students get a good laugh at seeing only their classmate's "head shot" of the portrait from under the parachute.
We were excited to see that a couple of our teachers from Fresno Unified also attended the training. Mrs. Maria Zamora (right), pictured with Nutrition Coordinator Nath Say, is a Pre-K teacher at Rowell Elementary School. She looks forward to incorporating what she's learned inside her classroom! Mrs. Trujillo from Leavenworth elementary also attended but is not pictured.
Special thanks to Champions for Change, the California Department of Public Health's Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Branch, and our trainer, Ken McFadden for putting together a great workshop! The UC CalFresh program is excited to receive new resources that we may use alongside our curricula.
- Author: Consuelo Cid
Summer is here, and Central Valley summers are hot!
To maintain health we need to eat well-balanced meals and remain active. However, you may find this warm weather poses an obstacle or extra challenge in meeting your physical activity goals.
How much physical activity do I or my children need?
- Adults need to be moderately active for 30 minutes on 5 or more days a week.
- Children need to be active for 60 minutes each day.
- Be active during the coolest time of day: morning or mid-morning.
- Wear light colored clothing.
- Stay cool with water activities! Try swimming, running through sprinklers, or waterslides. To locate a public pool click here.
- Try indoor activities during bad air days or days that are too hot.
- Yoga is a great indoor workout for the entire family, all you need is a slip-free surface or mat. Try the Standing Carrot Stick or the Super Zucchini from the Shape of Yoga. For additional yoga poses click here.
- Dance and rock out in the comfort of your own home.
- Be creative and come up with activities that includes the entire family.
- Take a cool walk at your local mall.
- Locate a community center or park near you that offers recreational activities during the summer. To find a community or park near you, visit our Nutrition and Physical Activity Resources Directory.
Summer safety is important! Stay safe during the summer by following these simple tips:
- Remember to drink water before, during, and after being active.
- Take frequent breaks.
- Wear sunscreen.
- Be active for shorter periods of time during hot days to avoid heat exhaustion.
- If you feel nausea or vomiting, dizziness, muscle cramps, or headache stop your activity and cool down.
Get moving, have fun, and stay safe with your summer activities!
- Author: Maira Enriquez
On June 11, 2015 UC Cooperative Extension had an opportunity to attend a C.A.T.C.H (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) training in Chico, CA, hosted by the North Coast and Cascades TRC and presented by Dr. John Krampitz. UC Cooperative Extension believes in innovative team work and expanding their knowledge base. Here they learned new skills to train preschool teachers on ways to implement physical activities in classrooms, involve all children in activities, and encourage healthy eating in the little ones ages 3-5.
“CATCH Early Childhood (CEC) is designed to nurture a love of physical activity, provide an introduction to classroom-based gardening and nutrition. Little ones are motivated to walk, run, jump, dance and move their whole bodies while playing and having fun.”
If you'd like more information regarding C.A.T.C.H and how they can provide a training to your preschools or teachers visit http://catchinfo.org. We look forward to sharing what we learned with teachers in the new school year!
Special thanks to Michele Buran, CSU Chico, NEOP North Coast and Cascades TRC for hosting such a fantastic training!
- Author: Nath Say
Step exercise is an excellent way to get the heart pumping while strengthening the leg muscles!
Providing steppers for 60 students may be a little pricey for teachers, but who needs steppers when your school has concrete planter boxes? Two teachers at Rowell Elementary improvised with what was available when it comes to stepping. Mrs. Mares and Mrs. Thao's 4th grade students made the most out of these four sided planters as each student was assigned a section to step on. The teachers led the classes by counting and stepping together.
Stepping is just one of the many ways the teachers incorporate physical activity throughout the day. The students also enjoy dance routines lead by Mrs. Mares.
Keep on stepping, Mrs. Mares and Mrs. Thao's class!
