Physical Education: YOUTH TRAINERS

Wednesdays: Grades 1-4
WHAT?
Youth Trainers:    
An Innovative Middle Years Program Technology Course

This school uniting activity builds a positive & cooperative relationship between our wonderful schools! Every Wednesday Grades 1st-4th (students & teachers) come out, one grade level at a time, for an additional 30 minutes of physical fitness training. Students are taught concepts, principles, activities and strategies to improve health and performance.  

Middle School Youth Trainers work as personal trainers and train elementary students to improve all components of their fitness. ‘Trainers’ use the California Physical Fitness Tests (PFT) to assess their ‘clients’ on key fitness areas including aerobic capacity, muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility.  ‘Trainers’ plan and create activities to target these specific components of fitness. ‘Trainers’ then explain to ‘clients’ the component of fitness targeted at each station and guide them through those stations. At semesters end, ‘Trainers’ reassess their clients and consider the success of their training.


WHY?
In addition to promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity-
  • Build a positive and cooperative relationship between Elementary and Middle School students.
  • ‘Education Code section 51210 states that each school district maintaining an elementary school composed of grades 1-5 must provide at least 200 minutes of P.E. instruction for every 10 school days, not including recesses and the lunch period.’
  • ‘Schools offering intense physical activity programs have seen positive effects on test scores in mathematics, reading and writing, in addition to less disruptive classroom behavior.’
  • This inquiry-based learning course meets the six types of assessment criterion for IB Technology:  Investigate, Design, Plan, Create, Evaluate, and Attitudes in Technology
HOW?
At the designated time, teachers take their classes to the lower playground. Teachers stay to monitor safety, help manage behavior and help/join in the activities. Students spend 5 minutes at each station and then rotate to the next activity with their trainer.

Trainers reflect daily on multiple aspects of their performance including - using appropriate techniques and equipment properly; ensuring a safe environment; identify & appreciate the behavior of clients by using encouraging comments; demonstrate judgment, respect & responsibility when modifying station; make continual effort to improve clients fitness & enjoyment.


P.E.  Wednesday Schedule
1)    9:30-10:00         1st grade
2)    10:10-10:40     2nd grade
3)    11:05-11:30    3rd grade
4)    11:35-12:00   4th grade


Questions? Email bnassif@aeacs.org or bdiamond@aeacs.org

YOUTH TRAINERS
   4th grade cards written to their 1st semester trainers :)