“Get Fit ”

Our 4th grade fitness program titled “Get Fit” will begin at the start of February to encourage students to be physically active. The fitness program will cover the months of February, March and April. Students should exercise at least 3 days a week while tracking the type of exercise and length of time on a monthly calendar. The calendars should be completed by each student and signed by their parent/guardian, and passed in weekly on the day they have physical education class.
In conjunction with the 4th grade social studies curriculum we will travel across the United States using the miles generated from each students physical activity. For every mile a student runs or walks, we will log the miles to see how far we can travel across and around the United States. For each physical activity or individual/team sport a student completes (swimming, cycling, dancing, gymnastics, skating, jump roping, shoveling snow, basketball, soccer, hockey just to name a few) it will count for just 1 mile. Students should add up their total miles at the end of each week.
A complete description and monthly calendars for the “Get Fit” fitness program can be found on the attached pages. Monthly calendars are also on my teacher page on the Cole School website under “Get Fit.”
As a reward for their hard work, students who successfully complete the program will be eligible to go on a fitness field trip that includes a hiking trip through the Blues Hills and a picnic lunch. I look forward to your support in this effort to improve and maintain physical fitness. Please call or email, HYPERLINK "mailto:" if you have any questions.
Jim Thornton - Cole School Physical Education Teacher

PARENT RESPONSE --- FITNESS INFORMATION

Child’s Name______
Classroom Teacher______
I have read this letter and the attached material regarding the “Get Fit” Fitness Program.
______
Parent’s Signature
Please return to the classroom teacher on or before February 3, 2014
The goal of the fitness program is to help you realize that consistent physical activity should be an important part of everyone’s life and to see how many miles students can achieve by being physically active. When you become involved in regular physical activity it helps develop good health for your body and mind. Complete the exercise calendars for the months of February; March, and April, and you will be rewarded with a fitness field trip that includes a hiking trip through the Blue Hills and a picnic lunch.
To receive the reward, you must follow these rules
Exercise vigorously 3 or more days a week during the months of Feb, Mar and Apr.
Physical Education/Teacher Gym class may count for only 1 of the days. You must exercise at least two additional days per week outside of Physical Education class. Recess does not count as one of the times.
Total time exercising should be at least 30 minutes per session.
Plan your program using the suggestions below or your own favorite exercises or sporting activities, or from ideas learned in your physical education class.
On the days that you exercise write down on the calendar the type of exercise or activity you did along with the number of miles completed. For example, if you walk or ride a bike for 2 miles that would count as 2 miles.
For each physical activity or sport a student completes (swimming, dancing, gymnastics, skating, jump roping, shoveling snow, basketball, soccer, hockey just to name a few) will count for just 1 mile. For example, physical education class would represent 1 mile. Participating in a basketball game would count for one mile. Ice skating for at least 30 minutes would be one mile. Students should add up their total miles at the end of each week.
Parents must sign the calendar weekly to verify that you have done the workout. To receive credit, the completed calendar must be brought to school on the day you have Physical Education//PE Class to be checked for participation.
If you are not in school on the day you have Physical Education/PE Class then you are responsible to bring your calendar to my office or mailbox on the next day you are in school. If you do not then it will count as a miss.
You are allowed 3 unexcused misses for the entire 3 months. Weekly misses are defined as not giving me the calendar during your physical education class or not exercising 3 days a week. After 3 misses you are not eligible to participate on the field trip to the Blue Hills.
A reward will go to the 4th grade class with least amount of unexcused misses, so encourage and remind your classmates to exercise and bring in their fitness calendars each week.
“Get Fit” Workout Suggestions

Begin with some easy walking, jogging or jumping jacks to help get your blood moving.
Do some stretching to loosen up your muscles.
Add some strengthen exercises like push-ups and crunches.
Do your aerobic activity. This should be the main part of your play/workout. Possibilities are endless and can include brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, dancing, gymnastics, skating, jump roping and playing sports.
Complete your workout with a cool down. This time should be similar to your warm-up. Finish with some easy movements—walking—and always stretch at the end.
Encourage your parents or brothers/sisters to join you in your exercise activity. This is a great way to create regular exercise habits and spend time with the ones you love.
Parents thinking of joining us on the hike, please take the opportunity to exercise for the 3 months. The Blue Hills can be a rigorous hike.


Get Fit
Homework Slip

______missed their homework for PE
on ______. This is their ______number of misses.
Please sign and return the next school day.
Parent/guardian signature______
Thank you,
Jim Thornton
Physical Education Teacher

Part of our core values is RESPONSIBILITY. We are trying to teach the children how to be responsible for their bodies and organizational skill that are life skills. If your child misses 2 or more assignments he/she will bring home a missed homework slip. This slip needs to be signed by the parent/guardian and returned the next school day.

Requirements for the field trip


Exercise 3 or more days a week for 30 minutes.
Fill in calendar after exercising. Include how long you exercised and the type of exercise or activity you did and include the miles you exercised.
Must be signed by parent/guardian for credit.
Bring with you to each Physical Education/PE Class
Have three (3) or fewer misses.


If you do all of the following you get to go on the fitness field trip at the Blue Hills and have an amazing time learning about fitness, nature and yourself.