Exercise videos boost activity at Clays Mill

Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, January 24, 2011

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In one exercise, the kids drop and curl into a ball if the suggested activity is unhealthy, such as eating four pizzas. If it's a healthy option like riding a bike, they jump up.

In one exercise, the kids drop and curl into a ball if the suggested activity is unhealthy, such as eating four pizzas. If it's a healthy option like riding a bike, they jump up.

In one exercise, the kids drop and curl into a ball if the suggested activity is unhealthy, such as eating four pizzas. If it's a healthy option like riding a bike, they jump up.STLP adviser Gayla Webb guided her students in filming several five-minute workouts.The kids took turns filming and demonstrating the exercises. The mini-workouts will be posted on the school's server for teachers' easy access.Patrick Sims, a student teacher from the University of Kentucky, showed the Clays Mill youngsters how to exaggerate their movements for the camera.Tape on the floor marked the kids' places. If they ventured too far afield while exercising, they would be out of the camera shot.The health-conscious fourth- and fifth-graders hope they are setting a good example for younger students.

Clays Mill Elementary students aim to raise awareness and heart rates with their five-minute in-house exercise videos.

The fitness-conscious fourth- and fifth-graders in the Student Technology Leadership Program filmed several segments for the project.

“The main purpose is to get kids more active and social,” said fifth-grader Dallyn Newsome. “A lot of people just play (sedentary) games during recess. But if you take five extra minutes during the day, it really makes a difference.”

Ideally, every child will be physically active a minimum of 30 minutes a day. The video workouts, which will be posted on the school’s server for easy access, will help Clays Mill meet that goal. 

“If the teachers need an inside recess activity or an activity break, this is something they can pop in for the kids to do. It’ll be very easy to implement in the classroom,” said Jill Klinker, the wellness teacher.

Klinker and her student teacher from the University of Kentucky teamed up with STLP adviser Gayla Webb to pull everything together one day after school. The children divided into groups and took turns leading the exercises and filming the activities.

“We’re taking the video and will edit it and add words,” explained fifth-grader Ben Stone, who said the 16 STLP members were comfortable using flip cameras and Windows Movie Maker.

The kids also plan to enter the project in February’s districtwide STEM Fair (science, technology, engineering and math).

The exercises are basic but also interactive, requiring participants to think. In one, for instance, the leader might say “riding a bike” or “eating four pizzas.” If it’s a healthy option, the kids jump up; if it’s unhealthy, they crumble into a ball.

“They’re fairly easy so all grade levels can understand them,” Ben said of the mini-workouts. “My cousin is in the lower grades, and he likes to copy what I do, so he’ll be really motivated seeing me on the tape.”

Klinker said the energizers should bolster everyone’s spirits, too.

“It gets them up and moving in a change of scenery, a change of activity,” she said. “We always feel better after we’ve moved around a bit.”