Hello - I teach in a K-4 building and all my kids know that "my" class
is an activity class. Even though the kids don't wear gym clothes, they
are required to have "gym" shoes ("tennis shoes"). When they don't, I
explain that they still have to do an alternative activity which is
walking in the bleachers. I started this when I was at the Middle
School (where they had to walk the big staircases as we were in an older
building - now, they only have 6 steps to walk up and down) but it's
been very beneficial to them "remembering" their shoes and/or clothes. I
also use this for disciplinary reasons -they know that if they don't
have the right type of shoes, are a danger to themselves, danger to
others or not playing by the rules, then they have an alternate activity
(walking the bleachers) so they are still getting their exercise. 99% of
the time, if a kid doesn't have their shoes, they just go in the
bleachers on their own! I have explained this and they really respond
and accept it! (Sometimes I don't even realize that they are not in our
gathering spot because they just start walking the bleachers on their
own!)

I am close to my home college and get quite a few student teachers. I
know that the university professors do not agree to this as it is using
a corporal type of punishment (like running, sit- ups or push-ups that
the kids hate!) but I think that if you condition the kids into feeling
like they are getting a benefit then they are more responsive. I also
let them know it WILL affect their grade if they have to "walk" then
they are in jeopardy of having a failing grade and their parents and I
WILL talk.

I've been at all levels (7 years at the least, at each grade level - HS,
MS and now, elementary) and feel that this is a great solution - though
I've only used it at the MS and elem. levels.

On 12/09/08, Betsy Jones wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Why can't they do some sort of physical activity for the period?
>
> I mean you don't really need gym clothes to do an ab plank for 45
> minutes (which would really suck).
> You don't need gym clothes to do: push-ups, crunches/sit-ups, pull-
> ups, wall sits, air squats. I work at a private school and most of
> the time my kids don't have gym clothes, we work anyways. Is there a
> rule at your school to keep kids from working out without gym
> clothes? Because if there isn't, there is a lot of work-outs you
> could create from the above listed exercises. Plus, the kid would
> have to sit through the rest of their classes feeling ucky from
> sweat. If the teachers complained about smell, maybe have the kids
> wear some sort of body spray after they leave you.

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