Implementing a Comprehensive School
Physical Activity Program
Let’s Move in School
• The American Alliance for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation and
Dance (AAHPERD) supports the goal of
First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move!
Campaign
• Pledges to give teachers, principals,
superintendents, school boards, and
parents the support they need to help
our students to become more physically
educated and active in school
Let’s Move in School Goal
• To ensure that every school
provides a comprehensive
school physical activity
program with quality physical
education as the foundation so
that youth will develop the
knowledge, skills and
confidence to be physically
active for a lifetime
What is a CSPAP?
• Comprehensive School Physical
Activity Program (CSPAP)
• School districts and schools utilize
all opportunities for school-based
physical activity
• Develop physically educated
students who participate in the
nationally-recommended 60+
minutes of physical activity each
day
• Develop the knowledge, skills, and
confidence to be physically active
for a lifetime
CSPAP Goals
• Enable all students to participate in at
least 60 minutes of moderate-tovigorous physical activity each day
• Provide coordination among the CSPAP
components to maximize knowledge
and skills learned in physical education
so that all students will be fully
physically educated and well-equipped
for a lifetime of physical activity
Why Implement a CSPAP?
•
Evidence shows that physically active students
have better learning readiness, attention, fewer
behavior issues, and ultimately better academic
outcomes.
(CDC. The association between school based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services; 2010.)
•
Children and adolescents need 60 minutes or
more of physical activity each day.
(CDC. Physical Activity for Everyone; http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/children.html.)
•
Approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children
and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese.
(From: www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html; data from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES).)
They are more likely than youth of normal
weight to become overweight or obese adults.
(From: www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/index.htm; citation: U.S. Surgeon General. Overweight and Obesity: Health Consequences.
Rockville: MD; 2001.)
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1990, 1999, 2009
(*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person)
1999
1990
2009
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
15%–19%
20%–24%
25%–29%
≥30%
How Much Movement?
NASPE Guidelines for Children
How Active Should They Be?
Physical Activity Guidelines for Children
Ages 5 – 12
1. Children should accumulate at least 60
minutes, and up to several hours, of
age-appropriate physical activity on all,
or most days of the week.
2. Children should participate in several
bouts of physical activity lasting 15
minutes or more each day.
NASPE Guidelines continued. . . .
3. Children should participate each day in a
variety of age-appropriate physical activities
designed to achieve optimal health, wellness,
fitness, and performance benefits.
4. Extended periods (periods of two hours or
more) of inactivity are discouraged for
children, especially during the daytime hours.
Development of the Whole Child
The Importance of
Physical Activity
Reasons for Movement
1. The shape of our nation
2. Movement enhances learning
3. Development of the whole child
Academic Research Overview
Poor nutrition and lack of physical activity result
in:
– increased absenteeism;
– low energy;
– low self-esteem;
– difficulty concentrating; and
– lower academic achievement.
1. (Action for Healthy Kids, 2004)
2. Grissom, J. B. (2005). Physical fitness and academic achievement. Journal of Exercise Physiology, 8(1), 11-25.
3. Ratey, J. (2008). Spark: The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain.
Academic Research Overview
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Review of
Research Findings
– 50 studies reviewed
– A total of 251 associations between physical activity and academic
performance were tested
– More than half (50.5%) of all associations tested were positive
– Only 4 (1.5%) of all associations tested were negative
Full report of methods and results: www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth
Breaking Down the
CSPAP Components
Physical Education
• Implement a standards-based
curriculum that includes a clear
scope and sequence
• Identify clear objectives (i.e.,
psychomotor, cognitive, and
affective) for each physical education
lesson
• Provide instruction in a wide variety
of skills related to sport, lifetime
activities, and fitness
Physical Activity
During the School Day
• Include a healthy living tip or quote as
part of each morning’s announcements
• Provide short physical activity breaks
during long stretches of seated
instruction
• Provide all secondary school students
with drop-in recess activities so they can
be active during their lunch or free
periods
Physical Activity
Before and After School
• Create safe opportunities for
students to walk and bike to school in
collaboration with parents and
community organizations
• Open and supervise physical activity
facilities for staff and student use
before and after school
• Organize physical activity clubs and
intramural sports to encourage
physical activity participation by
students of all abilities
Staff Involvement
• Conduct a staff needs assessment to
identify health-related needs and work
with local organizations to address
those needs
• Hold walk and talk meetings with
colleagues
• Provide staff professional development
on creating opportunities for physical
activity in the classroom
Family and Community
Involvement
• Include physical education and
physical activity information on
the school website and in each
school newsletter
• Invite community participation in
special events
• Teach students how to use
community physical activity
resources
Question
• Is your school
district already
implementing or
supporting any of
the CSPAP
components?
How Can We Get Started?
• Begin by looking at the CSPAP
model and asking:
“Are we allowing students every
opportunity to be physically
active from the moment they
walk in the door to the moment
they leave the building?”
Comprehensive School-Based Physical
Activity Program
Commitment from School Personnel
Comprehensive School-Based Physical
Activity Program
Coordinated effort requiring in- and out-ofschool programming
Stakeholders
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Administrator(s)
Physical Education Teacher(s)
Classroom Teachers
School Nurse
Community Leaders
Parents
Students
How Do We Keep Going?
• Recognize that it will
take time to implement
a CSPAP
• Engage partners and
supporters
• Take one step at a time
• Celebrate your
successes!
PE vs. PA
Physical Education - the instructional program
designed to teach national and state
standards and to develop physically educated
individuals who have the knowledge, skills,
and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of physical
activity
Physical Activity - bodily movement that
substantially increases energy expenditure
Quality Physical Education
• Provides:
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Learning opportunities
Appropriate instruction
Meaningful and challenging content
Student and program assessment
• Improves:
– Physical skills and abilities
– Physical fitness
– Readiness and enthusiasm for
learning
– Academic performance
– Mental alertness
– Overall health
Opportunity to Learn
• All students required to take physical
education
• Instructional periods total 150 minutes per
week (elementary) and 225 minutes per
week (secondary)
• Physical education class size consistent with
that of other subject areas
• Qualified physical education specialist and
adapted physical education specialist
provides a developmentally appropriate
program
• Adequate and safe equipment and facilities
Meaningful Content
• Written, sequential curriculum for grades
P-12, based on state or national
standards
• Instruction in a variety of motor skills
designed to enhance the physical, mental,
and social/emotional development of every
child
• Fitness education and assessment to help
children understand, improve and/or
maintain physical well-being
Meaningful Content
• Development of cognitive
concepts about motor skill and
fitness
• Opportunities to improve
emerging and cooperative skills
and gain a multi-cultural
perspective
• Promotion of regular amounts
of appropriate physical activity
now and throughout life
Appropriate Instruction
• Full inclusion of all students
• Maximum practice opportunities for class
activities
• Well-designed lessons that facilitate
student learning
• Out of school assignments that support
learning and practice
• Physical activity not assigned as or
withheld as punishment
• Regular assessment to monitor and
reinforce student learning
© 2011 Sandy "Spin" Slade, Inc. Skillastics®
Student and Program Assessment
• Assessment is an on-going, vital part of the
program
• Formative and summative assessment of
student progress
• Student assessments aligned with
state/national physical education
standards and the curriculum
• Assessment of program elements that
support quality physical education
• Stakeholders periodically evaluate the total
physical education program effectiveness
Why is QPE Important?
• Helps all students develop:
– Health-related fitness
– Physical competence
– Cognitive understanding
– Positive attitudes about
physical activity so they
can adopt healthy and
physically active lifestyles
Physical Activity
During School
Physical Activity During School
• Recess
• Classroom-based physical
activity breaks
• Physical activity
integrated into classroom
lessons
• Drop-in physical activity
opportunities
Recess
What is Recess?
Recess is unstructured but purposeful break time
during the school day that allows kids to engage in
physical activity and social development
All children should engage in at least one daily period
of recess for at least 15-20 minutes per period
Scheduling and Planning Recess
• Recess should be outdoors if weather is above
freezing. If inclement weather prevents recess,
indoor movement and social breaks should be the
replacement
• Recess is not scheduled immediately before or after
physical education class
• Recess does not interfere with physical education
classes that are taking place in a common
environment
Supervision at Recess
• Recess should be properly supervised by
adults
• Adults should intervene only when a child’s
physical or emotional safety is an issue
Promoting Physical Activity
at Recess
• Adequate, safe, and developmentally
appropriate equipment is provided for
students to engage in enjoyable physical
activity (balls, ropes, etc.)
• Adequate, safe spaces and facilities are
provided for all students to be physically
active at the same time
Promote Physical Activity at Recess
Teach low organization games children can play
on their own
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Four Square
Hopscotch
Different versions of Kickball
Horse, Around the World, etc.
Wall Ball, Tetherball, etc.
Tag games
Long Rope Jumping Challenges
Short Rope Jumping Challenges
Recess Activities of the Week (RAW)
Promoting Physical Activity at Recess
Recess is not viewed as a reward but as a
necessary educational support component for
all children
Students should not be denied recess so they
can complete class work or as a means of
punishment
Recess
• At least 20 minutes per day for all
elementary students
• Do not withhold recess for
disciplinary reasons
• Variety of equipment
• Active supervision
• Peaceful Playgrounds
www.peacefulplaygrounds.com
Classroom-based PA breaks
• Start the day with an all-school
“Wake-up/Warm-up” activity
• Provide short 5-10 minute
physical activity breaks during
long stretches of seated
instruction
• Take students outside for a walk
before a test
• Skillastics® www.skillastics.com
PA Integrated into
Classroom Instruction
• Provide kinesthetic learning
opportunities – building,
experiencing, touching,
collecting, etc.
• Create lessons that require
students to stand or move in
the classroom
• Energy Balance 101
www.energybalance101.com
Drop-in Physical Activity
• Provide secondary students with drop-in recess
activities so they can be active during lunch and
free periods
• Provide physical activity themed assemblies
© 2011 Sandy "Spin" Slade, Inc. Skillastics®
Resources
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Peaceful Playgrounds www.peacefulplaygrounds.com
Skillastics® www.skillastics.com
Energy Balance 101 www.energybalance101.com
Integrating Physical Activity into the Complete School Day
http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/teachingTools/uplo
ad/PA-During-School-Day.pdf
• Brain Breaks http://www.emc.cmich.edu/BrainBreaks/
• Maximizing Recess Physical Activity
http://www.pelinks4u.org/articles/Beighle0610.htm
• JAMmin’ Minutes http://www.jamschoolprogram.com/
Staff Involvement
Staff Involvement
• Staff wellness program
• Professional
development
• Physical activity
opportunities with
students
Staff Wellness Program
• Physical activity
opportunities for staff
• Nutrition education
• Conduct a staff needs
assessment
• Offer incentives
Professional Development
• Brain breaks during staff meetings
• Physical activity in the classroom training
• Staff who supervise recess
Physical Activity Opportunities
with Students
• School-wide field day
• 5K run/walk event(s)
• Active transport
programs
• Positive role models
• Joint-use agreements
Sample Healthy Initiatives
o Group Fitness Classes
o
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Zumba
Pilates
Dance
Boot Camp
o Physical Activity Teams
o Weight Watchers
o Weight and Blood Pressure
Checks; CPR Training
Resources
• School employee wellness – http://www.schoolempwell.org/
• Good Work! Resource Kit –
http://www.healthymainepartnerships.org/goodwork-resourcekit.aspx
• Healthy Arkansas Worksite Wellness Toolkit –
http://www.acsworkplacesolutions.com/
• CDC Healthier Worksite Initiative –
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/index.htm
• Comprehensive Guide to Worksite Wellness –
http://www.wellnessproposals.com/wellness_proposals_guide_to_wo
rksite_wellness.htm
Family and Community Involvement
Comprehensive School-Based Physical
Activity Program
Physical Activity and the Community
Family game night
Share facilities
Nutrition and physical activity seminars
Newsletters, websites, emails
Physical activity at home
Special initiatives
Summer camp
Local partnerships
Guest speakers
Fundraisers
Community outreach
Can We Implement a CSPAP?