Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
OAA TESTS TODAY!
Well, ready or not, here we go! One of the main goals of THIINKFit is that it can improve OAA scores. Reading OAA's today, math on Thursday! I'm a bit nervous. We didn't have a great work out this morning (Some students were more into it than the others). But thinking back, anytime I had a bad practice before I big game, I always played well. I'm so proud of these guys and gals! We will continue with THIINKFit until the end of the school year :)! Our team name this year is CRUSH. I brought a 2 liter of CRUSH soda in and had them rub the bottle for heading out the door today. Wish us luck!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Updated Numbers on THIINKFit Project
UPDATED NUMBERS
Attendance 1st 9WKS Attendance 2nd 9WKS
Non-Participating 48.5/920 63.5/780
Students
THIINKFit Participating 34/920 37/780
Students
Reading OAT practice Reading OAT practice Difference
test September test January
Non-participating Avg. 21.2% Avg. 21.2% +/- 0
Students
THIINKFit Participating Avg. 19.38% Avg. 21.56% + 2.18%
Students
Math OAT practice Math OAT practice
Non-participating
Students Avg. 14.8% Avg. 17.7% +2.9%
THIINKFit Participating
Students Avg. 14.39% Avg. 16.8% +2.4%
*Of the 20 students in my THIINKFit project, 9 of them are special ed. Three students' test scores are not recorded because they take an alternate assessment. My SE students are at a second grade/third grade level. There are no gifted students on my THIINKFit team. The remaining students are regular ed.
*Of the 20 student in the NON-PARTICIPATING group, 4 of the students are special education. These four students are on a fourth grade/low fifth grade level. There are 4 gifted students in the NON-PARTICIPATING group. Of the remaining students left, they are considered regular ed.
Attendance 1st 9WKS Attendance 2nd 9WKS
Non-Participating 48.5/920 63.5/780
Students
THIINKFit Participating 34/920 37/780
Students
Reading OAT practice Reading OAT practice Difference
test September test January
Non-participating Avg. 21.2% Avg. 21.2% +/- 0
Students
THIINKFit Participating Avg. 19.38% Avg. 21.56% + 2.18%
Students
Math OAT practice Math OAT practice
Non-participating
Students Avg. 14.8% Avg. 17.7% +2.9%
THIINKFit Participating
Students Avg. 14.39% Avg. 16.8% +2.4%
*Of the 20 students in my THIINKFit project, 9 of them are special ed. Three students' test scores are not recorded because they take an alternate assessment. My SE students are at a second grade/third grade level. There are no gifted students on my THIINKFit team. The remaining students are regular ed.
*Of the 20 student in the NON-PARTICIPATING group, 4 of the students are special education. These four students are on a fourth grade/low fifth grade level. There are 4 gifted students in the NON-PARTICIPATING group. Of the remaining students left, they are considered regular ed.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
AR_Month 10_THIINKFit!
First of all - MONTH 10!
Now that I've gotten that out of my system, LET'S MOVE on.
The THIINKFit Project- Amy Barnabi
On the second day of graduate school I was thinking about my "thesis" project. I contacted Dr. Wyly and asked her about a project that I was thinking about. That project was the THIINKFit Project. I explained to her, that as a runner, I was overwhelmed at the inactivity among kids today. When I was a kid we played from sun up, until sun down, and that some of my favorite memories of my life, took place then, during those hot days of summer vacation. If I knew how running made
1. Data: I had a great conversation with Dr. Bedard yesterday about my A.R. research. It was one of those "forest through the trees," type of thing. The hardest thing about this project has been staying on task and staying grounded. On the other hand, I kind of get psyched about the fact that I've found it difficult to actually find the evidence needed to finalize my Action Research. One of the questions Dr. Ludgate asks for us to reflect on this month is, "Is any of your work truly innovative?" (A sheepish grin comes across my face) There's not a lot of research in the area I'm truly wanting to find the answers to: Does exercising before school with technology increase attendance, GPA scores, Ohio Achievement scores, and self-esteem? And does it combat childhood obesity AT THE SAME TIME - allowing children to be active before school with the number one gaming system in the world?
Let me get this right, and see if you are following me on this - Two problems, one stone. The THIINKFit Project gets kids up, out, and active first thing in the morning, over time, allowing them to fight childhood obesity (and increase their flexibility and strength), as well as, exercising their minds (and my studies have shown), and preparing them for more success in the classroom? Hmmmmm....This is what I know. My sixth grade students have been using the THIINKFit project, combining Wii Fit Plus aerobic exercise, strength training, and yoga, with an early morning routine supervised by yours truly.
I'm very excited about Michelle Obama's Let's Move Campaign, http://www.letsmove.gov/. I feel selfish in saying that Mrs. Obama's push to fight childhood obesity couldn't happen a better time. Her goal is to reverse the numbers of childhood obesity by 2015. 30% of our school-age children are considered overweight. Of those 30%, 13% are obese. (See statistics for childhood obesity a MedTv http://weight-loss.emedtv.com/childhood-obesity/childhood-obesity-statistics.html)
"Everybody has been wringing their hands for a decade about what a big problem this is, but having the first lady involved could really make a difference," says Margo Wootan, director of nutrition policy for the Center for Science in the Public Interest. "The first lady not only brings the weight of the White House, but she also understands this issue as a parent." (Hellmich, 2010)
My push for my THIINKFit project will not be an easy one (see above mentioned, forest through the trees), but it will be a worthy one. What started out as a pipe dream has become a possible dream come true. Three years ago I envisioned a way to help kids get more active. I believe that the THIINKFit project can be the answer to successfully allowing for students to be more active.
LMO & Action Research
The Learning Management System I am currently working on will hopefully propel my project to a step closer in getting picked up for a grant. My hope is to develop a training module for further developing the use of the THIINKFit Project in other school buildings. The more I am able to experience the use of the THIINKFit Project in various settings, the more I see the overwhelming need for it. What continues to make this project unique is the ease in which children see participating with the Wii system. They are exercising and having fun first thing in the morning.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2010-01-20-michelle-obama-obesity_N.htm
http://www.letsmove.gov/
Friday, March 5, 2010
THIINKFit March 5th, 2010
I worked out with the preschoolers yesterday in the gym during my prep period - all 60 + of them! Special thanks to Avy and team for allowing me this unique opportunity. What an amazing site!!
Attended a grant writing seminar this morning at the Dennison Depot - WOW! Thanks to Wendy Zuchal for an excellent push on where to go next with this project!
Attended a grant writing seminar this morning at the Dennison Depot - WOW! Thanks to Wendy Zuchal for an excellent push on where to go next with this project!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
THIINKFit - Month 9 NUMBERS! Cycle 1 & 2
I've been using the mixed method approach while gathering data for the THIINKFit project. Data is very valuable to the success of my program. Unless you are in our gym in the mornings at Claymont Intermediate, you truly cannot experience the impact of what this is doing. For those of you who are oblivious to what this is, my students are using the Wii & Wii Fit system to exercise M-F, 7:15-7:40 AM. It has proven successful in the following areas: 1. An increase in attendance, 2. Increased GPA jump from the first nine weeks to the second nine weeks, 3. Significant increase in practice OAT testing scores (Ohio State Achievement practice tests given in Sept. and Jan.). We test just math and reading, 4. And in behavior. I am comparing my testing group (my homeroom students who are participating in this project) vs. a non-testing group (the rest of the sixth grade in our building). Please note that Claymont Intermediate is at a 60% free/reduced lunch percentage. We are located in an Appalachian area, which includes a low-social economic status within the state of Ohio.
WHAT IS INVALUABLE
I spend 20-25 minutes with my students exercising in the morning. I've connected with them in ways I wouldn't have until later on in the year in passed years. They are also have grown close as a class, and I don't encourage, but it happens, positive feedback among peers ("Glad you are here today," "Way to go!," "You got a new record!"). I've been able to reach out, as well as students who are shy or laid back. I've been able to ask about grandma or listen to a story about a sleepover they had on a snow day. I'd like to think that I've always had a great rapore with my students, but this year is just, well, different. They easily motivate me. A few are always waiting in the morning to eagerly set up, and I never have a problem with THEM picking up after themselves prior to going up to our homeroom to start our morning. If you know me (or you don't know me), I'm true to heart; what you see is what you get. And what you get with this program is a way to fight childhood obesity & increase test scores. If anyone knows Mrs. Obama, tell her if she wants to know how to fight childhood obesity, join us one morning at 7:15am at Claymont Intermediate. We will be there!
WHAT IS INVALUABLE
I spend 20-25 minutes with my students exercising in the morning. I've connected with them in ways I wouldn't have until later on in the year in passed years. They are also have grown close as a class, and I don't encourage, but it happens, positive feedback among peers ("Glad you are here today," "Way to go!," "You got a new record!"). I've been able to reach out, as well as students who are shy or laid back. I've been able to ask about grandma or listen to a story about a sleepover they had on a snow day. I'd like to think that I've always had a great rapore with my students, but this year is just, well, different. They easily motivate me. A few are always waiting in the morning to eagerly set up, and I never have a problem with THEM picking up after themselves prior to going up to our homeroom to start our morning. If you know me (or you don't know me), I'm true to heart; what you see is what you get. And what you get with this program is a way to fight childhood obesity & increase test scores. If anyone knows Mrs. Obama, tell her if she wants to know how to fight childhood obesity, join us one morning at 7:15am at Claymont Intermediate. We will be there!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Name change
It is official. I have changed the name of the Wii Fit Project™, to THIINKFit. I have obtained the domain name THIINKFit.com. I will update you on additional changes as they come in.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Cycle 2 Completed!
Second nine weeks grades went home on Friday.
The second series of OAT practice tests results are back!
Started Wii Fit Project with preschoolers on 1/21 (50+ 3,4,5 year olds working out with the Wii Fit!)
Second grant check came in - Starting Eastport project in two weeks (third grade)!
Care to know more?
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas at CIS & the Wii Fit Project
Lots of amazing things have happened since this dream became a reality in June 2009. The Wii Fit Project is up and running at Claymont Intermediate, in Dennison, OH, and as of early December, we've just received funding for a NEW grant (Ohio Action for Healthy Kids - Thank you!) that will place the Wii project in a third grade elementary class at Eastport in January (thank you Derek!).
This project will also take another step forward in January, as it will be used by the Pre-K classes at Claymont on Thursday mornings (during my prep period). Thank you Avy and staff! *In November, took the Wii Fit to Immaculate Conception (pre-k, second, seventh grades), and it was a HUGE hit!!
From a personal stand point I cannot be any more pleased than I am with the results of the first cycle and 1/2 of this research project. The more I read about gaming in education/exercise and how it correlates nothing but positive results, the more I get excited about expanding this.
On the last day of school for this year, the students played the teachers in dodge ball (kids brought in x amount of canned goods for under the Christmas tree, they got to play). The only part of my body that was sore the next day was my arms from throwing. I thought for sure I would get sore as the day went on.. I wasn't. Then it dawned on me. I exercise with the kids every morning using the Wii Fit Project. That's 15-20 minutes a day M-F. We stretch and do moderate cardiovascular exercises (still need ten more minutes in gym). If this is what it's doing for me - Imagine what it must be doing for the students? Wait, I know the answer to that one..
May God bless you in the New Year.
Get up, Get out, Get Active!
The Wii Fit Project 2010 -
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving! Can you believe that it's already Thanksgiving? I'm currently working on my Cycle 1 results from the first cycle. The numbers are impressive! I also am writing my Lit Review. I'm anxious to get both completed to show the results so far in The Wii Fit Project. Narrowing down a new name for the project - something more original. I think I found a winner! Waiting on imput.
The numbers of those who are participating in the morning have faded a bit, but I have consitantly 14-15 kids in the gym every morning (there are 22 students in my homeroom). Of those that are participating, WOW! It just reinforces what I've thought all along... Exercising improves every aspect of the student's lives! God Bless all of us :) and thank you, God, for all the blessings in my life. :)
The numbers of those who are participating in the morning have faded a bit, but I have consitantly 14-15 kids in the gym every morning (there are 22 students in my homeroom). Of those that are participating, WOW! It just reinforces what I've thought all along... Exercising improves every aspect of the student's lives! God Bless all of us :) and thank you, God, for all the blessings in my life. :)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
EMDTA_Action Research BLOG 11/15
* How is your AR project unfolding for you?
My AR project is going very well. I wish, however, that I had more time to devote JUST to it at this point in time. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving break for various reasons, but also in hopes that I'll get to spend a bit more time working on my project.
* How are you tracking your data?
Cycle 1 is completed. I'm going to put my data into Numbers. All the data has been collected for Cycle 1, it just needs to be written out in black and white.
* What's happening in your research that you didn't expect? Explain.
The receptiveness of the program of itself has been incredible. I have people throughout the district and community asking questions about our project, and others wanting to volunteer to be a Guest Friday participant with my students in the gym. I also didn't anticipate wanting to start another Wii Project™ so soon, but my hopes is to get at least one or two other buildings up and running by spring. My other goal is to get all buildings active using this program by fall 2010 (that would include a total of five buildings).
* How has this month’s course (so far) helping in shaping your ARP?
This is by far the hardest course I've taken from FS thus far. Lisa has been great, but there are lots of things I just didn't know how to do, so I've had to ask for lots of help with this. I love the idea of designing my own e-learning site, but it's like anything else, trying to find the time to do so.
Friday, October 23, 2009
October 23, 2009
Building is getting hit by various germs. I was out today. We have been using the NEW Wii Fit PLUS and kids love it! I've taken lots of pics and videos this week of kids using the program. They continue to amaze me on how simple this program is and how much they truly love being up and active in the morning prior to starting our days. I know it throws me off when we can't be in the gym (example picture day).
The kids who are actively participating are showing a difference in the classroom and out of the classroom. I still wish I could spent at least 10 more minutes in the gym in the morning. At CIS, we give kids breakfast in the morning, so they need time to eat and get organized before the day officially starts at 7:50AM. We are in the gym right now from 7:15-7:35. The kids always hate leaving. One thing we always do before dismissing to classes is we huddle up and discuss how to focus and approach the day. This is my favorite time! I miss coaching and these guys and gals are my TEAM and then some this year! I feel personally connected to each and every one of my kids.
One guy is still on the sidelines and not participating. Mom and dad are not sure about using video games in the classroom to teach. I will meet with them during conferences in a few weeks and hope to convince them otherwise. He paces back and fourth in the back while we are doing the Fit Project. He doesn't have to come into the gym, and is allowed to sit with the others in the cafeteria, but chooses to join us each morning. I'll keep you updated!
The kids who are actively participating are showing a difference in the classroom and out of the classroom. I still wish I could spent at least 10 more minutes in the gym in the morning. At CIS, we give kids breakfast in the morning, so they need time to eat and get organized before the day officially starts at 7:50AM. We are in the gym right now from 7:15-7:35. The kids always hate leaving. One thing we always do before dismissing to classes is we huddle up and discuss how to focus and approach the day. This is my favorite time! I miss coaching and these guys and gals are my TEAM and then some this year! I feel personally connected to each and every one of my kids.
One guy is still on the sidelines and not participating. Mom and dad are not sure about using video games in the classroom to teach. I will meet with them during conferences in a few weeks and hope to convince them otherwise. He paces back and fourth in the back while we are doing the Fit Project. He doesn't have to come into the gym, and is allowed to sit with the others in the cafeteria, but chooses to join us each morning. I'll keep you updated!
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