On Wednesday morning every student at Wentworth Intermediate School was outside exercising as part of ACES Day (All Children Exercising Simultaneously), a statewide program designed to encourage children to become more physically active.
During the approximately 45-minute event, students were hula hooping, walking, roller-blading and jump-roping or participating in just about any activity that constitutes exercise.
But for Leslie Fleming’s multi-age class the event was a small part of a much larger effort the class is involved in, focusing on health and fitness.
The students are participating in Maine in Motion, an eight-week program designed by the Maine Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports, Health and Wellness.
“The idea is to increase (student) activity,” Fleming said.
As part of the program each student received a pedometer, which they wear every day in order to calculate how much they have walked during the day. The students also must set a goal for how many steps they will take and calculate their daily total in a log.
The pedometers give students a concrete idea on how much they are moving and it helps them better understand the concept, Fleming said. It also has given them motivation to exercise whenever possible. For example the students take the long way around the school when going to French class rather than the most direct.
Fleming incorporated the program into her normal health segment and also discussed sleeping habits and nutrition with the students.
“It’s really fun, my whole class is doing it,” said Rachel Hatem, a fifth-grade student in Fleming’s class.
Hatem especially enjoys logging her daily steps and said her highest week was April vacation when she took 75,586 steps. When she does not reach her daily goal, Hatem said she goes onto the treadmill or stationary bike to ensure it is reached.
Hatem is especially conscious of her daily steps during recess and she often takes walks with some friends to help her meet her goal.
“Usually a lot of people don’t like to exercise, but when you are doing it with your friends it’s really, really fun,” Hatem said.
Wentworth students learn the value of exercise
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