Activity Works News
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May 2013
From the New York Times: Many Fronts in Fighting Obesity
More than a third of American adults and nearly one child in five are now obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eating just one meal a week away from home can translate into two extra pounds a year for the average person. Click here to read the full article: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/20/many-fronts-in-fighting-obesity/?smid=tw-nytimeswell&seid=auto -
Apr 2013
From The Washington Post: 6 ways to help kids have a healthy relationship with food
Without even realizing it, parents might be turning their children away from certain foods. There are some helpful tips to help your children have a healthy relationship with food. Click here to read the full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-parenting/post/6-ways-to-help-kids-have-a-healthy-relationship-with-food/2012/04/20/gIQAsAwqRT_blog.html -
Mar 2013
From Mashable: Does Gamification Help Classroom Learning?
Using games, rather than traditional methods, to help teach children is a popular trend these days. But does it work? Click here to read the full article: http://mashable.com/2013/03/08/games-classroom/?utm_source=iphoneapp -
Feb 2013
From Huffington Post – Diet Soda Associated With Higher Type 2 Diabetes Risk, Study Finds
A study 14 years in the making links the consumption of artificially sweetened beverages and Type 2 diabetes. Click here to read the full article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/11/diet-soda-diabetes-risk-type-2-artificially-sweetened-sugar_n_2663247.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003 -
Jan 2013
From NYTimes.com - Good and Bad, the Little Things Add Up in Fitness
An interesting New York Times article summarizes some of the more intriguing studies of 2012 as they relate to health and wellness. The study on television watching will scare you off of your couch. Click here to read the full article: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/the-little-things-add-up-in-fitness/ -
Dec 2012
From NYTimes.com – Exercise and the Ever-Smarter Human Brain
Researchers believe that throughout human evolution, physical activity played a critical role in making our brains larger. They also believe that we will continue to require physical activity in order for our brains to function optimally. Click here to read the full article: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/26/exercise-and-the-ever-smarter-human-brain/ -
Sep 2012
From ABC News Medical Unit – Twenty Minutes of Exercise Cuts Kids’ Diabetes Risk
A clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that children who exercised for 20 minutes every day for a few months were more physically fit, had less body fat and had less of a risk for diabetes when compared to kids who weren’t active. Click here to read the full article: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/twenty-minutes-exercise-cuts-kids-diabetes-risk/story?id=17264506#.ULOUgrT_Q54 -
Sep 2012
From WebMD.com – Can Childhood Obesity Hinder the Brain?
A new study published in Pediatrics shows that overweight or obese children with metabolic syndrome score lower on mental tasks that are important for learning. Click here to read the full article: http://children.webmd.com/news/20120904/can-childhood-obesity-hinder-brain -
Aug 2012
From Huffington Post - We Need to Get Kids Moving - Their Lives Depend On It
The Huffington Post questions how we can get children moving when a third of U.S. kids are overweight. They reveal some staggering statistics regarding physical inactivity. Click here to read the full article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/claire-mccarthy-md/childhood-obesity_b_1679955.html
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Aug 2012
From HealthDay - Fitter Kids May Make Better Grades: Study
A study including more than 1,200 middle school students from five schools in a suburban area of Texas found that there is a strong relationship between physical fitness and academic performance. Click here to read the full article: http://news.yahoo.com/fitter-kids-may-better-grades-study-160412660.html -
Jul 2012
From The New York Daily News - Team Sports Seen as Key Factor in Preventing Childhood Obesity
Preventing childhood obesity seems to be a team effort. Kids who play a team sport are 40% less likely to be obese according to the latest research in Pediatrics journal. Click here to read the full article: http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-18/news/32734391_1_childhood-obesity-obese-child-obesity-prevention-programs -
Jul 2012
From CDC.gov - Heath & Academics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found a strong link between health and academic success, and that schools play a crucial role in the health and safety of their students. Click here to read the full article: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/index.htm -
Jul 2012
From The New York Times - Despite Obesity Concerns, Gym Classes Are Cut
A recent New York Times article discusses the fight U.S. schools are facing to combat childhood obesity. Many schools are being forced to find new ways to incorporate physical activity into the day without gymnasiums or physical education teachers. Click here to read the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/11/education/even-as-schools-battle-obesity-physical-education-is-sidelined.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1344521353-l4Nj+xpwTL7ZD+ygQbO3yQ -
May 2012
From Bridging the Gap Research Brief - Activity Breaks: A Promising Strategy for Keeping Children Physically Active at School
Only one in four U.S. elementary schools offer physical activity breaks for students; however, evidence from research shows that both students and teachers may reap the benefits if they choose to be part of the 25%. To learn more about the research study done by Bridging the Gap, Click here to read the full article: http://www.bridgingthegapresearch.org/research/results/?catalog_search_panel_query=1&catalog_search_panel_tag_string=activity+breaks -
Apr 2012
From The New York Times - How Exercise Could Lead to a Better Brain
An article in the New York Times presents the latest neuroscience findings that state “exercise does more to bolster thinking than thinking does.” The question is no longer whether activity benefits brainpower; now, it is how and to what extent. Click here to read the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/magazine/how-exercise-could-lead-to-a-better-brain.html?pagewanted=all -
Apr 2012
From the New York Times – How Exercise Could Lead to a Better Brain
Scientists discovered that exercise appears to build a brain that resists physical shrinkage and enhance cognitive flexibility. Click here to read the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/magazine/how-exercise-could-lead-to-a-better-brain.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 -
Apr 2012
From ABC News.com - Bikes, Balls in Class: How Phys Ed Transformed One School
At Naperville Central High School students are constantly on the move, whether with first period gym classes to get their brains jump-started, or bikes and balls right in the classroom throughout the day. The Illinois school’s reading and math scores have significantly improved; Naperville is onto something. Click here to read the full article: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/exercise-school-leads-learning/story?id=10371315 -
Jan 2012
From Reuters.com – Want your Kids to do Better in School? Try exercise
Research findings showed that students with higher rates of physical activity and exercise did better in the classroom. Click here to read the full article: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/04/us-children-exercise-idUSTRE8030B320120104 -
Jan 2012
Activity Works offers cloud-based delivery of their program
Starting this month, Activity Works will have the capability to stream all of their episodes directly to school classrooms, after school program partners or even individual homes via the internet. Powered by Microsoft, classroom teachers will have the opportunity to play Activity Works episodes through their smartboards or promethian boards just by clicking "play" on the Activity Works website. -
Dec 2011
Activity Works implements web tool to track program usage in the classroom
Activity Works developed a performance tracker to automatically track teacher use in the classroom. Every time an Activity Works episode is streamed into a classroom, the minutes of participation are recorded and translated into calories burned. Schools and districts are excited about this technology because it shows which classrooms are getting an appropriate amount of daily exercise. It also gives school districts the data they need to show that they are reaching state mandates for physical education. -
Oct 2011
Activity Works has an opportunity to work with “Healthy Schools” in New York City
Thanks to a generous grant from The New York Community Trust, Activity Works was able to provide their program free of charge to schools who participate in the Healthy Schools program. The Healthy Schools Program, which has more than 100 participating schools, strives to improve the overall health and wellness of every student. -
Sep 2011
The New York Community trust funds a second year of Activity Works in New York City
For a second year in row, The New York Community Trust has generously sponsored Activity Works in the New York City School District by providing an additional 3,000 students with an opportunity to get exercise during the school day. This year’s effort will primarily focus on the boroughs of Brooklyn and the Bronx, where children will participate in 10 minute, curriculum-themed motor breaks in their classroom.
Last year, teachers in Queens stated how their children were more focused, attentive and better behaved as a result of their participation in the Activity Works program. -
Aug 2011
From The SouthEast Education Network Magazine - How to Make Learning a Moving Experience
Recent neuroscience research has discovered a correlation between exercise and brain function: physical activity increases memory, regulates mood, and prepares the brain for learning. Click here to read the full article: http://www.seenmagazine.us/articles/article-detail/articleid/1654/how-to-make-learning-a-moving-experience.aspx -
Jun 2011
Study successful in Camden, Trenton and Atlantic City pilot
During the 2010-2011 school year, Activity Works was implemented into nearly 100 classrooms in five Southern New Jersey school districts. The results of the study deemed Activity Works to be very successful for these districts, especially when Activity Works was done three or more times per week. Some of the positive results include: -
May 2011
A New York City research study yields promising results with 3000+ students
During the 2010-2011 school year, New York Community Trust funded Activity Works Demonstration Project serving more than 3,000 students in New York City. The study report had very encouraging results, especially when teachers used the Activity Works program three or more times per week. Here are some of the research results: -
Apr 2011
From Health Day - U.S. Parents Want Kids More Active During School Day: Poll
A National Poll on Children’s Health found that almost all parents of young children believe it’s important for elementary school kids to get exercise every day at school. Click here to read the full article: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/managing-your-healthcare/economics/articles/2011/04/21/us-parents-want-kids-more-active-during-school-day-poll -
Apr 2011
Activity Works starts expanding into the Midwest
A select group of first, second and third grade students in Des Moines, Iowa will get the chance to experience the benefits of Activity Works in their school. The school district decided to implement the program into their daily routine to incorporate more aerobic exercise in the school day. The school expects to see the added benefit of improved focus, attention and behavior, which have been linked to increased physical activity. -
Mar 2011
Schools in Philadelphia and Boston implement Activity Works
Activity Works has now moved north into Boston and west into Philadelphia, where a total of 750 students will get the chance to get healthier and fit. Teachers will use Activity Works on a daily basis to promote healthy bodies and healthy minds during the school day. The participating Principals and Teachers are passionate about giving children the appropriate amount of physical education time as mandated by the states of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. They also believe that the increase in physical -
Feb 2011
Trenton, Camden, Atlantic City, and Asbury Park implement Activity Works.
Activity Works has been implemented in nearly 100 classrooms in five Southern New Jersey school districts. Teachers will use Activity Works on a daily basis to promote healthy bodies and healthy minds during the school day. The participating Principals and Teachers are passionate about giving children the appropriate amount of physical education time as mandated by the state of New Jersey. They also believe that the increase in physical activity will heighten their ability to focus, leading to improved academic performance. -
Feb 2011
Hartford City School District is moving forward with a plan to implement in 5 schools.
With support from the District Office of Health Services, five elementary schools are implementing Activity Works in nine grade K-3 classrooms each. The initiative has the backing of each school Principal and is supported by the school nurse, Physical Education teacher and classroom teachers. -
Jan 2011
Education World interviews Activity Works VP.
click here to read article -
Jan 2011
The Lowenstein Foundation funds Activity Works evaluation design in New York City schools
The Lowenstein Foundation has tapped Activity Works to create a roadmap for evaluating the benefits of physical activity over specified periods of time. The foundation ultimately hopes to develop scientific methods that prove that there is in fact a direct link between aerobic exercise and improved academic performance in children. There are several published studies that suggest aerobic exercise increases brain function and the ability to receive and retain information. -
Dec 2010
Diocese of Rockville Center, NY (52 schools) expands implementation of Activity Works.
Based upon a successful pilot in nine schools during the spring of 2010, the Diocesan Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum recommended that all Diocesan elementary schools implement Activity Works as a way to improve wellness and academic performance. Site-based decisions have brought a growing number of schools into the Activity Works cohort. -
Dec 2010
Walmart funds additional 85 classrooms in southern New Jersey’s largest districts.
Based on the success of the NJ Demonstration Project, Walmart is seeding an additional 85 classrooms in southern New Jersey’s largest districts. The northern New Jersey Districts that participated during the 2009/2010 school year cited an increase in student attention, focus and behavior due to their involvement with the program. The children also received an additional 30-50 minutes -
Nov 2010
Seven NYC Schools implement Activity Works.
Schools have begun implementation of Activity Works in 110 classrooms in Queens, New York City. Site selection and training have been completed. The teachers are actively using Activity Works and finding the program to be beneficial. After just 4-6 weeks, teachers are already seeing improvements in their student’s attention, focus and behavior. The teachers are also reporting how much the children are enjoying Activity Works and how they ask for it on a daily basis -
Sep 2010
New York Community Trust funds Activity Works Demonstration Project in 110 New York City classrooms.
Click here to read article -
Jul 2010
Newark school’s participation in Activity Works get’s the attention of the Deputy Mayor
Click here to read article -
Jul 2010
Activity Works research study with 3,000 students yields results
During the 2009-2010 school year, a NJ/NY Wellness Project serving more than 3000 students in large prospect districts yielded the following research results: -
Jun 2010
Woodbridge Mayor attends assembly focused around Activity Works participation in school.
Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac attended an assembly celebrating the school’s successful year-long pilot with the Activity Works program. Mayor McCormac listened to Principal John Bader talk about how the teachers and children embraced the curriculum-based, aerobic-exercise driven program. He then watched the 100+ children perform an Activity Works segment in unison. He encouraged the children to continue to exercise and choose a healthy diet. -
Apr 2010
US Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy states that Activity Works could be model for a national program
Click here to read article -
Nov 2009
Newark, Jersey City, Woodbridge, Phillipsburg, Old Bridge and West New York implement Activity Works.
Seven school districts in northern New Jersey began using Activity Works as a way to incorporate more aerobic exercise in the school day. The schools expect to see the added benefit of improved focus, attention and behavior, that have been linked to physical activity. Early reports from the administrators show an overall engagement by the teachers, who are impressed by the program’s ease of use and relevance to the subject matter being taught. -
Oct 2009
Activity Works approved by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation for use in the Alliance Healthy Schools Program, reaching 7,800 schools nationwide.
Following a scientific review by the American Heart Association, Activity Works was approved by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (a joint venture between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation) for use in the Alliance Healthy Schools Program, reaching 7,800 schools nationwide. -
Sep 2009
Activity Works accepted by New York State Department of Education as option to achieve state-mandated Physical Education requirement for grades K-3.
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May 2009
Activity Works expert testifies in front of lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the benefits of classroom activity breaks.
Click here to read article -
Apr 2009
From ABC News.com - Moving and Shaking in the Classroom
Researchers are finding that that when exercise meets education the results are improved student learning. Movement stimulates the brain and helps increase attention, which in turn leads to better test scores and behavior. To learn more about Action-Based Learning, Click here to read the full article: http://abcnews.go.com/gma/story?id=7283772&page=1#.UCPF5PaPVGY