By: Jacob Sattelmair and John J. Ratey
The authors discuss the growing evidence that strenuous physical activity is not only healthy for students but improves their academic performance. Based on such research, they argue that schools in the United States need to stop eliminating physical-education programs under the current political pressures to emphasize academics and instead to reform traditional physical education. Modern physical education should move away from its competitive-sports approach to one that employs a wide range of play involving strenuous physical activity for every student. [Read the complete article ...]
Thanks for sharing this article. I teach Kindergarten and though I have believed in the importance of physical activity to learning, I now have some research to back my rationale to implement at least 20 minutes per day of aerobic activity. I am going to search for some supplemental to jogging, jump ropes and kids aerobic dance dvd's so that I can keep students engaged and into incorporating exercise as a lifelong habit! I love the ideas of using stationary bikes, dance dance revolution type games etc, but how does one get the money for these? Time to explore grants and put a bug in my principal's ear. Thanks so much for your blog.
Posted by: Joan Young | July 03, 2009 at 12:29 PM
To make a long story short, 12 years ago, I got promoted at an "higher management" job. At 29, I was managing a 400 millions dollar plant...And then after 10 years at this job, I hit the wall big time. It was terrible. I was so nervous that I always had this feeling I would brake in two pieces.
I now realised that I went to fare to fast. But adding to this, being overweight and REALLY sedendary I was not fit at all to take the stress. I always had confidence that I had the intellect to hold such a postion but I just could not do it anymore.
And then and old mantor suggested that I should exercise and exercise hard to "burn the stress" I did not believe it. But when I read Spark and saw all the chemistry behind exercise...as and engeneer ( yes I like science and numbers)I had to surrender and I decided to try it.
GOD! Everything changed after the firts weeks of intensive exercise. Don't ask me why, but I was back on the race. This time though I had worked out some personnal issues and I got to know myself. But adding to this, the machinery ( my body) was following. Blood pressure started to fall and my sleep was getting better.
What medication was I taking? NOTHING!Just a big bowl of fresh aire 45 minutes a day at 140-175 heartbeats per minute.
Sir keep on the good work!!!! We should have much more scientist like you!
Posted by: Yannick Coderre | April 25, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Fabulous book, SparK. Mr. Ratey what is your own fitness program?
Posted by: Carlos Ferrand | April 23, 2009 at 04:46 PM