Exercise Excitement: Move It, Live It!

10th Grade

Project
4 weeks

Exercise Excitement: Move It, Live It!

Sandy S

Purpose

This project aims to engage 10th-grade students in understanding the significance of physical fitness and exercise through hands-on activities and reflective practices. By exploring the impact of regular physical activity on mental health and academic performance, students will develop a comprehensive view of how exercise benefits their overall well-being. Through daily workouts, journaling, and collaborative discussions, students will create a personalized fitness plan and a poster presentation, fostering a deeper connection between physical activity and its positive effects on their lives.

Learning goals

Students will explore the significance of physical fitness and exercise for overall health, emphasizing its effects on mental well-being and academic performance. They will engage in various physical activities, reflecting on personal experiences to understand the connection between exercise and mood. Through creating a fitness and mental health journal, students will track and analyze their physical activities, mood changes, and academic progress. By the end of the project, students will synthesize their learning into a poster presentation, showcasing their understanding of the benefits of regular physical activity.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
NGSS - HS-LS1-3: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.

Products

Students will create an informative poster that visually and textually explains the importance of exercise and physical activity for health, mental well-being, and academic performance. They will also maintain a personal fitness and mental health journal, documenting their daily workouts, mood changes, and academic progress. Weekly summaries in the journal will analyze patterns and provide insights into the impact of physical activity on their lives. These products will be shared and discussed during an exhibition with peers and teachers, showcasing their learning journey and personal growth.

Launch

Kick off the project with an interactive "Fitness Fair" where students rotate through various stations demonstrating different types of physical activities such as yoga, circuit training, and dance. Invite local fitness experts or older students from the school’s sports teams to lead each station, providing insights into how these exercises benefit physical and mental health. Conclude the fair with a group discussion where students share their initial thoughts on which activities they enjoyed and how they felt during each session, setting the stage for their personal fitness and mental health journey.

Exhibition

Students will present their posters at a school-wide health and wellness fair, inviting other students and teachers to engage with their findings. Each student will have a booth where they display their poster and personal fitness and mental health journal. They will explain the insights they've gained regarding the impact of physical activity on health, mood, and academic performance. Attendees can ask questions, providing an opportunity for students to articulate their learning and receive feedback.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Fitness Fair Exploration - Participate in an interactive 'Fitness Fair' with various stations led by fitness experts, experience different physical activities, and reflect on initial thoughts (45 min)	Introduction to Personal Journals - Set up a personal fitness and mental health journal, outline daily entries, and begin tracking physical activities and mood changes (20 min) Aerobic Activity Session - Engage in a group aerobic workout, then reflect on its immediate effects on mood and energy levels in your journal (25 min)	Strength Training Basics - Participate in a strength training session focusing on proper techniques and safety, followed by a reflection in your journal (30 min) Group Discussion - Share initial experiences and reflections from journals with peers, focusing on feelings after workouts (15 min)	Flexibility and Mindfulness - Practice flexibility exercises and mindfulness techniques, then document the impact on stress and relaxation in journals (25 min) Poster Planning - Begin brainstorming and outlining the content and design for the informative poster on the importance of exercise (20 min)	Impact of Exercise on Mental Health - Research and discuss how physical activity influences mental health and academic performance, taking notes for poster content (20 min) Reflective Journaling - Write a summary of the week's physical activities, mood changes, and insights gained in the personal journal (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Create a personal fitness and mental health journal with initial entries documenting daily activities, mood changes, and reflections on the impact of exercise.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with local fitness experts or older students to lead 'Fitness Fair' stations. 2. Prepare materials for the 'Fitness Fair,' including equipment for yoga, circuit training, and dance. 3. Provide students with journal templates or materials to create their personal fitness and mental health journals. 4. Plan and gather resources for daily workout sessions, ensuring a variety of exercises are introduced.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Cardiovascular Fitness Exploration - Participate in a variety of cardio exercises, such as running, cycling, or jumping rope, and document the effects on mood and energy in your journal (30 min) Poster Content Research - Conduct research on the benefits of cardiovascular fitness and its impact on health, taking notes for poster content (15 min)	Strength Training Techniques - Engage in a strength training session focusing on advanced techniques, then reflect on muscle engagement and energy levels in your journal (30 min) Fitness Journal Enhancement - Update your personal fitness journal with new insights on strength training and mood changes (15 min)	Flexibility and Stress Reduction - Explore a series of flexibility exercises designed to reduce stress, followed by journaling on their impact on relaxation and focus (25 min) Poster Design Workshop - Start the design process for your informative poster, integrating research notes and visual elements (20 min)	Group Exercise Evaluation - Participate in a peer-led group exercise session and discuss its impact on motivation and teamwork in your journal (30 min) Feedback and Poster Revisions - Share poster drafts with peers for feedback and make necessary revisions based on suggestions (15 min)	Mental Health and Academic Performance Analysis - Investigate the relationship between physical activity and mental health, summarizing findings in your journal (25 min) Weekly Reflection and Summary - Write a comprehensive reflection on your week’s physical activities and insights in your personal journal (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A detailed journal entry summarizing daily activities, mood changes, and academic insights, focusing on patterns observed with different types of exercises. 2. A research brief or infographic created in pairs, highlighting the physiological benefits of one type of exercise and its impact on mental health and academic performance.
Preparation	1. Arrange a variety of exercise equipment for the daily physical activity sessions, including yoga mats, dumbbells, resistance bands, and music for dance sessions. 2. Prepare a list of research resources, such as articles, videos, and websites, focusing on the benefits of different types of exercise. 3. Create a template for the weekly journal summaries to help students organize their reflections and insights. 4. Set up a space for the mid-week group discussion, ensuring it is conducive to open communication and collaboration.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Team Aerobic Challenge - Participate in a team-based aerobic workout challenge, focusing on building endurance and teamwork, and reflect on the experience in journals (30 min) Poster Draft Review - Review your poster draft with peers and refine the content based on feedback (15 min)	Strength Training Circuit - Engage in a circuit-style strength training session, targeting different muscle groups, and document the impact on your energy and mood in journals (30 min) Poster Content Enhancement - Enhance poster content with new insights from strength training experiences and peer feedback (15 min)	Group Flexibility Workshop - Participate in a group flexibility workshop focusing on stress reduction techniques, then reflect on its effects on relaxation and focus in journals (25 min) Visual Design Finalization - Finalize visual elements and layout for your informative poster, ensuring clarity and impact (20 min)	Collaborative Exercise Reflection - Share personal exercise experiences in a group discussion, focusing on motivation and academic performance, and revise strategies based on peer advice (25 min) Poster Presentation Prep - Prepare your poster presentation, practicing articulation of key points and the connection to mental health and academic performance (20 min)	Mental Health and Physical Activity Insights - Synthesize findings on mental health benefits from regular exercise and document insights in journals (20 min) Weekly Reflection and Poster Finalization - Write a comprehensive reflection on the week's activities in your journal and finalize your poster for exhibition (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Completion of the third weekly summary in the personal fitness and mental health journal, analyzing their physical activities, mood changes, and academic progress. 2. A draft version of the poster that visually and textually explains the importance of exercise, incorporating peer feedback and insights gained from guest speakers.
Preparation	1. Arrange for a school psychologist or counselor to visit the class for the guest speaker session. 2. Prepare materials for the poster workshop, including large sheets of paper, markers, and other art supplies. 3. Organize a space for peer review sessions that allows for group discussions. 4. Ensure access to necessary equipment for daily workout sessions, such as yoga mats, resistance bands, or weights.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Final Poster Design - Refine and finalize the design and content of your informative poster, ensuring all key insights and research findings are included (20 min) Peer Review Session - Present your finalized poster to small groups for peer feedback, focusing on clarity and impact of the message (25 min)	Incorporate Feedback - Revise your poster based on peer feedback received, ensuring improvements in content and design (20 min) Personal Fitness Reflection - Reflect in your journal on your fitness journey over the past weeks, noting changes in mood, energy, and academic performance (25 min)	Exhibition Preparation - Practice presenting your poster and journal insights to peers, focusing on clear communication and answering potential questions (25 min) Final Journal Entry - Complete a final summary entry in your fitness and mental health journal, highlighting personal growth and learning outcomes (20 min)	Exhibition Setup - Organize your exhibition space, ensuring your poster and journal are displayed effectively for the health and wellness fair (20 min) Final Presentation Rehearsal - Conduct a full run-through of your presentation, refining your ability to convey your insights to an audience (25 min)	Health and Wellness Fair - Present your poster and journal at the school-wide exhibition, engaging with students and teachers and responding to questions about your findings (45 min)
Deliverables	1. Final poster presentation showcasing the importance of physical fitness and exercise, along with insights from personal fitness and mental health journals. 2. Completion of the personal fitness and mental health journal with a final weekly summary analyzing patterns in physical activity, mood changes, and academic performance.
Preparation	1. Prepare a space in the school gym or auditorium for the health and wellness fair exhibition, ensuring enough room for students to set up their booths. 2. Organize display materials such as poster boards, easels, and tables for students to present their work. 3. Coordinate with school staff to invite other students and teachers to attend the exhibition, ensuring good visibility and engagement. 4. Provide materials for last-minute poster enhancements, such as markers, stickers, and printouts. 5. Ensure students have access to any technology needed to showcase digital components of their journals or presentations. 6. Arrange for feedback forms to be available at each booth for attendees to provide constructive feedback on student presentations.