Rachel Hughes, Physical Education Teacher at Jenks Southeast Elementary, integrates health education into her physical education curriculum. She teaches at least five mini lessons each year that are fully focused on health topics such as My Plate, food groups, proper portions, nutrition labels, and the systems of the body (skeletal, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, and muscular). Rachel explains, "After each health lesson, I spend class time reinforcing the health concept through P.E. activities. When students are learning the bones of the body, they freeze on the sound of the whistle, put their hands on a specific bone, and say the scientific name of the bone out loud before sitting down to listen to the instruction." Besides her own health lessons, Rachel collaborates with community members and organizations such as Juvenile Diabetes Research foundation (teaches about Type I and Type II Diabetes) and the Tulsa Health Department (It’s All About Kids nutrition program), so students hear health messages from an array of sources through a variety of methods.

As many habits are learned in childhood, Rachel believes that the road to good health begins early in life. Rachel states, "Health education needs to start at a young age because it’s easier to teach a good habit than to break a bad habit. Elementary students are learning to take ownership of their own life by working to make decisions on their own, ultimately developing habits and adapting to a lifestyle. Teaching students health at a young age allows teachers to guide them in the right direction.” She feels that health education teaches her students the importance of healthy and active lifestyles. Rachel says, “Students are more apt to make good decisions regarding health and exercise when they have an understanding of the ‘why it’s important’ and ‘how is it done.’ The benefit of teaching health is giving them both the 'why and how.'" Rachel thinks health education provides an opportunity to develop the whole child within the school setting, allowing them to be better learners. By providing health education instruction, Rachel Hughes is committed to educating the whole child and promoting the development of healthy lifestyles. Thank you, Rachel, for your efforts!

Research has shown that daily physical activity can have a positive impact on students' cognitive skills, attitudes, and academic performance. Physical activity during school includes a variety of settings throughout the day besides the requisite physical education instructional class. Integrating movement into the classroom can be as simple as using an educational game that incorporates tossing skills or adding seating that allows for movement, such as wobble stools and ball chairs. Additionally, providing supplies for active play, including balls, jump ropes, and discs, can ensure recess time or before/after school programs create every opportunity for physical activity. Learn more about solutions to foster physical activity opportunities before, during, and after school.