KLRNconnect: Healthy Kids

Consider this. Can you name anything you do without using your body? Is there one?

Unconscious acts like sleeping, thinking, or breathing all happen as a person uses his or her body.

We Have Bodies is the first of ten lessons of The Healthy Kids Project. In We Have Bodies, content addresses the fact that we use our bodies for everything we do in life-- and that is why it is VITALLY important to take good care of them.

From this entry point, The Healthy Kids Project uses song, movement, animation and a cast of perfectly imperfect characters, the Zuber Tubers, to deliver key messaging that contrasts healthy choices and attitudes with unhealthy behaviors.

The Healthy Kids Project is created to engage all types of learners: visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. There are 10 sixty-second videos and correlating lesson plans, aligned to the TEKS, to educate and excite Kindergarten, First and Second graders on key concepts about health.

Visit here to view the 10 videos and Meet the Zuber Tubers.

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The Healthy Kids Project Pilot

KLRN’s Healthy Kids Project supports healthy lifestyles by influencing eating decisions and physical activities. The station partnered with Harlandale Independent School District (HISD) and Edgewood Independent School District (EISD) to pilot the Healthy Kids Project in School Year 2013-2014 in San Antonio. Through the project, we shared media resources and lesson plans with educators.

KLRN targeted 4 campuses—reaching 1, 231 students and supporting 32 educators. The audience was introduced to The Healthy Kids Project songs, live action movement, animation, and a cast of “perfectly imperfect” characters to deliver key messaging that contrasts healthy choices and attitudes with unhealthy behaviors. The station presented an in-service training at each campus, performed 76 classroom observations, and met with each Campus’ Grade Level Teams. When asked, “Will you continue to teach the material to this class or a future class after the pilot is complete? Why or Why Not?,” 90% of teachers shared that they would continue to teach the material. When asked, “Would you recommend the program to other teachers and parents? Why or Why Not?,” 90% of teachers shared that they would recommend the program.

The Healthy Kids Project Abbreviated Report
Counselor Pre-Surveys and Post-Survey
Teacher Pre-Surveys and Post-Survey

The trainings highlighted an educator’s role in influencing healthy habits and behaviors among their students
During the visits, KLRN’s staff observed teachers implementing the curriculum as transitions or as a set lesson. At times, teachers facilitated the experience having prepared as a team
At the Team Meetings, educators shared anecdotal information about successes, challenges, and opportunities to implement the resources.

To familiarize themselves with the content, the majority of adults viewed the videos and reviewed the quick start cards—citing the cards were very easy to use and helpful. A First Grade teacher shared, “It was self-explanatory. I just had to go through it.”
A Second Grade teacher shared, “I was wondering how this project would work out with the kids. But now I am seeing how it can make an impact, because if we don’t talk about it with them, there is a chance that no one will discuss it with them. We are planting the seed.”
After the pilot, teachers noted: the kids are more conscious of what healthy means-- when you consume too much sugar and it has effects, the project taught kids about staying active, and they had a developing awareness of what they were eating was wrong. Teachers also reported they learned about nutrition and good, healthy habits.
Educators shared that the videos, lessons, and quick start cards were helpful. The quick start cards were easy to use and gave simple ideas and prompts. The lessons went step by step and were very detailed on the assignments. Teachers were able to reproduce the sheets for activities and enlarge the songs to poster size.
Teachers reported that their students were engaged. Students were singing the songs and answering questions teachers posed. Students also requested that the clips be replayed.

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Educators,

The Healthy Kids Project offers you FREE online resources (videos and curriculum) to help children learn healthy habits without taking time away from core subjects! The lessons meet Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards in reading, math, science, and social studies.

Each lesson begins with a sixty-second video with lively animation, music, and healthy messaging. The videos can either be used in sequence (1-10) to create a full story arc or as standalone videos. Each video can be played as frequently as you choose to introduce different lesson activities while reinforcing the key health messages. Also, in each of the lesson plans, there is an “a la carte” list of activities that you can select. You have the maximum flexibility to decide how these units can best fit into your classroom, your curriculum, and your schedule. However you use the materials, the important thing is to use them.

Teaching even one child the importance of caring for the body can positively impact generations to come.

Quick Start Cards (English)
Quick Start Cards (Spanish)

Lesson 1: We Have Bodies (English)

Lesson Plan: We Have Bodies
Overview: We Have Bodies
Resource: A Week of Healthy Choices
Resource: The Important Thing About My Body

Lesson 1: We Have Bodies (Bilingual)

Lesson Plan: We Have Bodies

Overview: We Have Bodies

Resource: A Week of Healthy Choices

Resource: The Important Thing About My Body

Lesson 2: Hello, Body (English)

Lesson Plan: Hello, Body

Overview: Hello, Body

Resource: How Many Joints? (First Grade)

Resource: How Many Joints? (Second Grade)

Lesson 2: Hello, Body (Bilingual)

Lesson Plan: Hello, Body