Innovative Ideas!
School-Wide
Mymarathon:
"Mymarathon" is an annual nutrition and exercise program. We analyzed the typical Canadian diet, then our own diets and compared them to Canada's Food Guide. Most students discovered that they need to consume more fruits, vegetables, milk, and eat less of the non-food group foods (candy, bars, etc.) We also reviewed how the origins of food affect its nutritional value. Following this analysis, students decided on an individual nutrition goal. Throughout the year, this goal is re-visited in a "check-in" and comments are made on their passport. The exercise component has the students complete the distance of a marathon (walking or running) over the fall and spring months. Progress is recorded on the same passport. In June, we celebrate finishing the final 1400m across a finish line with medals and healthy food booths (just like a real marathon)! Our food booths in June, celebrate local, healthy foods. (e.g. strawberries from a local farm).
Nora L. Alexander, Rosebank Road Public School
Fruity Friday:
Grade 7-8 students are involved in a Fruity Friday café of fruit snacks prepared for other students in the school. The snacks include fruit cups, parfaits and kebabs.
The older students can prepare school announcements and posters to support the healthy eating curriculum expectations and promote the Fruity Friday snacks. The announcements and posters include tips for healthy eating for the students. The older students also visit each classroom to facilitate a healthy eating lesson with all the students.
Nicki Keenliside, John English School
Active Health Champions Trivia Olympics:
The Trivia Olympics is an interactive PowerPoint-based board game resembling the TV game show Jeopardy. Trivia questions were developed in the following categories: Food Groups, Everyday Servings, Let's Eat Healthy and What Am I? The questions are based on specific grade-level expectations so this activity can be used in any grade.
Classes can be divided into teams to make this a competition if you choose. Questions include a physical activity that the whole group does when a question is answered correctly.
Howard Ironside, Eagle Plains Public School
Healthy-Eating Singers:
To help teach students about healthy eating and physical activity, the teacher worked with them to write a song about these topics. The students then perform the song at school assemblies for the entire school community, including families.
A videotape and an audiotape have been made of these performances, which is used by the school board at teacher in-services. The students are beginning to perform their song in the community and are also talking to community groups about healthy eating and how they have incorporated the messages in the song into their lives.
Patricia Hoag, Prince Charles Public School