JAM (Just-a-Minute) Physical Activity Program

          

Chocksett Middle School is dedicated to our students meeting recommended daily physical and exercise guidelines set by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.  Children and adolescents (ages 6-17) should receive at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day.  Meeting this expectation can be somewhat challenging during the winter months due to the weather.  JAM is a free online wellness resource for schools.  The JAM (Just-a-Minute) program brings physical activity and health education into the traditional classroom.  JAM is designed to teach students healthier lifestyle habits.  JAM has even been recognized by Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” childhood health and fitness campaign as a great tool to use with students!

 

CMS is now registered for JAM!  JAM’s online library can be accessed by clicking on this link http://www.healthetips.com/jamlibrary.php.  Please add this link to your professional bookmarks on your school computer.

 

JAM offers these two main resources:

JAMmin’ Minute®: A one-minute fitness routine that includes 5 very simple exercises that kids (and staff) can do while either standing at their desk or sitting in a chair. Included on this weekly communication is a health tip, something simple that teaches a healthier habit. These routines are authored by us and we invite schools to submit routines to us!

JAM Blast®: Athlete-delivered healthy living and eating messages with a coordinating 3-5 minute exercise routine that focuses on that athlete’s idea about what is most important for peak performance. Fun facts about each athlete are included.

See an example of JAM Blast in this month’s newsletter!

Classrooms can to author their own exercise routines too!  Get a class, the entire school, or a group of students to create 5 exercises and submit them to JAM with a favorite health tip and they might publish it as the featured resource of the week!

 

Benefits and Uses of JAM:

• Wellness (daily physical activity and health education) for students and staff

• Improves student concentration in the class and provides a good “brain break” during or in between lessons

• Add them to classroom curriculum, to assemblies, to the morning announcements over the PA system, or as a reward

• PE teachers can use these as a warm up or combine several routines for a complete program

• Students can lead each other as the “JAM Leader” or “Drill Sergeant” of the week

• Set up some friendly competition in the classroom, among staff, or district-wide

• Send JAM home with the kids, publish it on your school website or newspaper, video record classes using JAM and load to school website

• Emphasis on establishing daily habits

• Health education that is effective and efficient

• Improves self-esteem and confidence

• Everyone can participate, even the physically challenged

• Fun, quick, and effective

 

JAM is one of many great resources that will be coming your way this year!  Look out for new tips and tools to use in all classrooms with your students!  Let’s get moving and kick off a healthy new year!