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| Three 4th graders who not only participated in No TV Week last year but also went all seven days with NO screen time! Great job! |
This coming Monday, May 16th, will be the beginning of our school-wide "No Time for TV Week". Over the years this program has evolved into "Exercise Your Body, Exercise Your Mind" (courtesy of Mrs. Reiser-Jones, the librarian at Charlestown Elementary School and former Charlestown PE/Health teacher Mrs. Fiske). Over the course of the week, we are challenging students to think about how much time they spend in front of a screen (TV, video games, etc.) and to find a different activity to do instead (for example, oh, I don't know...how about...reading? Heh heh).
Students will get a prize for earning at least 100 points. They do this by keeping track of their activities (every 1/2 hour is worth 2 points) and by going an entire day with NO screen time (10 bonus points each day). For more details, directions, and suggestions for activities, please refer to the sheet your child brought home this week. You can also view it by clicking on the links below:
Exercise Your Body, Exercise Your Mind points tracker (page 1)
Exercise Your Body, Exercise Your Mind directions (page 2)
When introducing the program to students during library classes this week, I began with the question, "Is it okay to eat a candy bar once in a while?" The students would of course chorus back, "Yes!" Then I asked, "Is it okay to eat only candy all the time?" Most of the students would respond, "No!" (Naturally there was usually one student in each class who would gleefully say "yes" to that question, and even we adults might admit that we've indulged in the fantasy of calorie-free, nutritious junk food!) When asked why it's not okay to eat only sweets, the students presented a long list of reasons: it would be bad for your teeth, you'd feel sick, you wouldn't have much energy, the extra calories can cause you to gain weight, your body wouldn't get the nutrients it needs. As we transitioned to dicussing the rules and guidelines of No TV Week, I emphasized to the students that my message isn't that all TV and videogames are "bad", but too much of them prevents us from doing things that help to keep us mentally and physically fit. Of course, understanding the message and putting it into practice are two very different things. I hope you encourage your child to participate and take some time to enjoy some activities together!
Here are some links if you're looking for ideas for things to do!
http://www.insteadoftv.com/
http://www.parents.com/fun/activities/rainy-day/tv-free-activities/
http://www.ivillage.com/101-tv-free-alternatives/6-a-145059
And don't forget that the library has lots of books on drawing, crafts, cooking, foreign languages, and all sorts of other topics that can occupy a curious mind! :)