Recently a group of four students went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Stadium to compete in a Fuel Up To Play 60 competition. The group had to cook a healthy breakfast for some judges to Critque. The dish they presented was called Dairy Berry Pancake Stacker. This dish was pancakes served with mixed berry cream cheese and some fresh fruit. When the group of students arrived at the stadium they began to create their berry filled dish. There were some problems during the process but in the end they conquered their obstacles and placed 2nd in the competition. Congratulations to Amaris, Ashley, Avin and Noura.

 

Did You See the Jump Rope Man?

	Mr. Kier joins the students in jumping rope.	The children jump rope with each other.
Jump Rope man challenges students at a demonstration.
The students show off their moves.
		Two children give help to the Jump Rope Man.

 

Davenport Teacher Named NFL Play 60 Champion

Changing the Way Kids Think About Physical Education and their Health

story by KELSEY TRESSLER photo by MATI COBBLE

    
SUSAN SEARLS, A PHYSICAL EDUCATION teacher at Davenport School of the Arts (DSA), was recently named NFL PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM project cham­pion along with 24 other teachers and faculty members from schools around the United States.  
Searls and her fellow champions were invited to The Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas, in July for a two-day event. This learning event included FITNESSGRAM10 Immersion Training and GENYOUth's 2014 Nutrition + Physical Activity Learning Connection Summit and EXPO at the AT&T Sta­dium. The champions also discussed strategies on incorporating fitness and nutrition into their lesson plans at their respective schools. "It was nice to sit and talk to other teachers and coaches who are doing the same things we are," Searls says.  

Searls and the other champions were then treated to a personal address from Kenneth H. Cooper, the founder and chairman emeritus of The Cooper Institute. "It was really exciting just to listen to him," Searls recalls.

DSA has been a part of the PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM program for three years now, according to Searls, and she was chosen as a champion for the school after applying and going through a round of interviews. DSA has been using the FITNESSGRAM assessments for 25 years. "They're good tools be­cause they can be individualized and don't make students uncomfortable,"  Searls points out.  
One of the cardiovascular tests, for example, is a 20-meter running as­sessment called the Pacer. Students run for as long as they can back and forth between two lines spaced 20 meters apart, and the number of laps they com­plete is recorded. Then students set their own goals for the next test.
For the most recent Pacer assessment, 85 percent of students at DSA be­tween third and eighth grades met their improvement goals. "It's an assess­ment tool, but it's also a tool to help kids understand how they can get fit," Searls elaborates.

DSA received funding from the Florida Dairy Council's Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) program, as well. FUTP60 provides grants up to $4,000 to Flor­ida schools, which enable them to promote good nutrition and physical activ­ity. The grant is open to every school in Florida, and Searls points out that DSA is the second school in Polk County to receive it.

Susan Searls believes teaching PE and nutrition is especially important. now, because children have so many distractions to keep them from playing and being active.  
As part of the grant, DSA will be receiving a stationary bike that acts as a generator to power an attached blender. Students experience the fun of creating energy for the blender while learning the importance of healthy, fruit-based snacks.

DSA will also receive an iPad Air, which will allow students to record the blender bike and make videos promoting health and nutrition. The vid­eos will air during morning announcements and be shown to DSA's Parent Teacher Organization.

Searls has been teaching for 26 years and was drawn to physical educa­tion after a PE teacher had an impact on her life in junior high. She believes teaching PE and nutrition is especially important now, because children have so many distractions to keep them from playing and being active. She has also seen a trend in schools where academic classes are valued above PE classes. She wants to find the balance between physical education and academic stud­ies and says her administrators are very supportive of that goal. "I'm hoping we can find a way to make kids more active while still learning, and we'll find a better place for physical education classes," Searls continues.  
Most importantly, Searls can tell she is making a difference. She says students she taught years ago will see her and remember a particular exercise or assessment they did in her classes. "You realize we do have an impact on them, even if you don't feel it right away," she observes. "I see it all the time. They remember what we did. That keeps me passionate and keeps me doing what I do." 

 

Elementary Standards and Expectations

	Teacher	Concept/Topic	Expectations/Focus	Practice/Project (Assessment)
K - 2nd	Coach Birge	Basketball Shooting Technique/Hand-Eye Coordination while dribbling their basketball	Basketball Shooting: Basic shooting technique and form Dribbling: Basic dribbling technique and form	Have them shoot a ball of any type or size through a hula hoop or other circular object focusing on keeping their elbow tucked, eyes on the target, and that they follow through to the target. Have them dribble around in general space ensuring that they push the ball and use the proper force.
3rd -5th	Coach Birge	Basketball Shooting Technique/Hand-Eye Coordination while dribbling their basketball	Basketball shooting: Basic shooting technique and form Dribbling: Basic dribble technique and form	Have them shoot a ball of any type or size over a hula hoop or other circular object focusing on keeping their elbow tucked, eyes on the target, and that they follow through to the target. Eventually once the form is correct move them to an actual basketball goal. Have them dribble around in general space ensuring that they push the ball and use the proper force, hold up different numbers on your hand to ensure that they keep their eyes up and not looking down at the ball.