‘Active Classrooms’ make happy classroom
It’s no secret that physical activity in the playground and in the classroom goes a long way to help students click in and focus on learning.
17 September 2009
After observing the limited number of enjoyable and challenging daily fitness programs in local primary schools, the Department of Recreation (DSR) South West has taken steps to support teachers and get kids moving.
‘Active Classrooms' is a pilot program aiming to build teacher confidence to incorporate fun, easy to deliver physical activities into the daily learning program.
Based around the Australian Sports Commission's (ASC) Playing for Life program, 36 classrooms within 12 South West primary schools have received a series of game cards accompanied by all the necessary sports equipment such as bean bags and netballs.
"We wanted to ask, how do you get kids excited about daily fitness and how can we make it easy for the teachers?" DSR manager South West Troy Jones said.
"With Active Classrooms we did that by removing all the hurdles, the (Playing for Life) games are able to be played indoors and outdoors depending on the weather and the equipment is easily accessed as it's kept in the classroom, it's a one stop shop."
In partnership with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), WA Country Health Services - SW, Department of Education and Training (DET), Active After Schools Communities (AASC) and Active Rural Communities, the pilot project identified the most flexible, user friendly games from the Playing for Life program that catered for all levels of age and ability.
"We gave all the teachers professional development on how to deliver the games and activities which made it easy for them to take the project on, it was so successful we had several principals and deputies attending as well," Mr Jones said.
"We believe the project is a positive way to promote physical activity to a young audience, capitalising on what kids love - running, throwing a ball and basically having fun with their friends."
It seems the days of despondent jogging around the oval as the obligatory morning physical activity regime are a thing of the past for these South West classrooms.
Instead, Active Classrooms is well on its way to getting students energised and enthusiastic about daily fitness, and ultimately about succeeding at school with healthy bodies and healthy minds.
For more information contact Troy Jones or call 9792 6900.
Playing for Life
For more information on the Playing for Life program
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