Take Time! - Overview

Purpose of the Initiative: National recommendations are that all students receive 150 minutes per week (elementary) or 225 minutes per week (middle and high school) of physical education. Because most Maine schools do not currently attain this important health goal, several advocates from state and local agencies designed Take Time! as a way to increase physical activity among all students. The environment for learning is improved by offering daily physical activity opportunities in addition to physical education classes, which benefits both the mental and physical health of all students, creating a true culture shift in the school.

Over 40 schools in Maine have participate in Take Time! since 2004. Take Time! has proved year after year to be not only do-able, but enjoyable and successful. Each participating school will: Make available 10 – 20 minutes accumulated time for physical activity during the school day, for every child. (The activity may include recess, as long as the recess time is structured physical activity and involves the participation of all students.) Incorporate nutrition education messages into activities whenever appropriate. Require physical activities to take place during school hours but outside of physical education class. Provide administrative encouragement and support to teachers and students to make physical activity a priority. (For example, suggest incorporating activities into the academic lessons or in addition to the curriculum such as a walking break after an extended period of sitting.) Document time students spend being active each day. Complete the evaluation forms in May. The Take Time! Training Team will provide participating schools that meet the income eligibility with: An orientation meeting on October 21, 2008 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. in Augusta An all day training on November 18, 2008 and ongoing technical assistance and support throughout the year, including sample guidelines and strategies for policy change. Resource packets for teachers and principals including fact sheets, sample activities to do in the classroom and elsewhere on school grounds including “Jean Blaydes Action Based Learning” curriculum. Calendars for each classroom to document physical activity time. Eligible schools will also receive: CD players and music for each classroom. Evaluation forms. Additional Physical Activity Integration programs “Brain Breaks” - http://www.emc.cmich.edu/BrainBreaks/ “Energizers” - http://www.ncpe4me.com/energizers.html The Fogler Library Health Education Resource Center has classroom based physical activity materials available for educators to borrow. for more information, click here.

Take Time! is a collaborative effort led by the staff of the Maine Center for Public Health, the USM Muskie School of Public Service and the Maine-Harvard Prevention Research Center.

 

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