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Tips for having a successful club.
A Committed Individual Makes the Best Leader
For a successful club, an adult leader (teacher or parent) is needed who is sincerely dedicated to the club's mission. For the club to be most successful the leader must be an individual who practices healthy living on a daily basis.
Follow the Proper Procedures to Insure Support of Your Colleagues
The club needs school support. This includes the teacher's union, the administration, and teaching peers. If the union's contract stipulates that the teacher must work for a salary, the teacher needs to honor that request. The administration should be contacted for all major decisions, and procedures should be communicated clearly with the teaching faculty.
Secure Appropriate Facilities
Facilities should be secured which allow students to exercise in all kind of weather, and also allow for needed space to include the academic component. With the academic component, a classroom, or other room is needed with enough space for children to work comfortably.
Goals Motivate and Make Children Feel Successful
To build confidence and a sense of achievement, build lots of goals into your program. Both long- and short-term goals are appropriate. With many reachable goals, the children will constantly be rewarded for a job well done.
Solicit Parent Volunteers
For a successful and safe club, many parent volunteers are necessary. They can help with organization of supplies, help keep the children focused, and help organize and modulate the running activities. Besides, parents can be good models for children. Bill your club as a chance for parents to get a little exercise, too and make it happen.
Integrate Academics and Art
To make a club enriching for the students, it's important to add the components of reading, writing, math, and art. While these are not the key ingredients of the club, they are often the tie-ins that make the child feel ownership and want to return. Remember, a club is not "school". Every paper doesn't have to be graded. Each spelling word doesn't have to be corrected, and you can allow a little more creativity with the artwork within a reasonable structure.
Make Your Club Fun
All aspects of the club need an element of fun. Fun does not always mean playing a game. Oftentimes fun is reaching a goal, learning something new, and creating something unique. Fun can be measured by the smiles on children's faces, their enthusiasm for activities, and the comments they make. If you don't hear them talking, then ask probing questions. Kids are honest - they'll let you know how they feel.
Stay True to the Mission
The focus of the club is on health and fitness. Don't be tempted to serve a sugar-laden snack (cookies, candy) even once during club sessions. Make sure that good nutrition and physical activity are always the main core of your sessions. This way, the children will get the message loud and clear and they will see you as a sincere individual
Be Well Prepared
Have lesson plans preplanned. Also prepare the room. Put out pencils, markers, and other art supplies. Pour after-run water into paper cups before the children arrive. Or have an arrangement for a parent to stay in the room and pour the water so that it is ready for the children before they return from their run.
Provide a Club T-shirt
A club T-shirt provides a sense of community. It's also a badge for the children who have joined the club. Many will wear their tee to every club session. Some will even choose to change into it right before club, making sure that it is clean for the club session.
Use the Text
Using a text with nutrition and physical activity information, along with a log - gives the club focus and authenticity. HAPPY FEET, HEALTHY FOOD, Your Child's First Journal of Exercise and Healthy Eating, is written so that children will relate to the activities, be able to grasp simple nutritional concepts, and will have a place to record and reflect on their progress.
Plan a Family Fun Run for an After-club Celebration
Our fun run was the high-point of our club. It was a low-cost simple event. We held it on the grounds of the CNC Software, Inc. company. We used their 1-K rail-trail like path to run. At 4:35 on the last day of club, the parents picked up their children as usual, but instead of heading home, the families took their children to the CNC grounds. When we all arrived we simply ran the 1-K path. At the end of the run, the children received smile-face pins, and fruit pops. We all said our "goodbyes" and headed for home, looking forward to next year.
THE TEXT: HAPPY FEET, HEALTHY FOOD, Your Child's First Journal of Exercise and Healthy Eating
LINKS TO LAST YEAR'S SPRING CLUB
First Week at Miles of Math
Second Week at Miles of Math
Third Week at Miles of Math
Fourth Week at Miles of Math
Fifth Week at Miles of Math
Sixth Week at Miles of Math
Seventh Week at Miles of Math
Eighth Week at Miles of Math
Ninth Week at Miles of Math
Tenth Week at Miles of Math
goodrow@infionline.net
