Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

I started getting information on this thing called a Twitter chat about a week ago. And, I assumed what it was, and my assumptions were right. You reading this may have experienced one, or maybe you lead them all of the time. I had no idea what is was going to be like. So, for those of you who have no idea what it is, let me explain, since I participated in my first Twitter chat on Wednesday night.The overall intended goals for this chat, moderated by Jamie Sparks, Kentucky Department of Read ▸ about My First Twitter Chat #SDpechat

This is a continuation of yesterday's post on 4 of the 8 paradigm shifts in school health education. 8 paradigm shifts in total. Just as social studies used to be about learning facts and dates but has shifted to interpreting and analyzing, health education has shifted from knowledge to skills-based. Read on to learn more about what we know now.5. Health Fairs; Know Your ObjectiveMany times when a school wants to work on the overall health and well-being of their school community they host Read ▸ about 4 More Paradigm Shifts in Health Education (continued)

Once in awhile, I have the opportunity to train K-12 teachers and health education specialists in secondary school. Many have not had accurate, effective professional development (PD) in years. That has to do mostly with budget cuts to schools and public perception that when teachers are not with their students, there are no benefits to the system. WRONG. I would much rather teachers have PD days than be teaching outdated, incorrect or even harmful information to our students. There have been Read ▸ about 4 Paradigm Shifts in Health Education

A middle school teacher asks his students to open their health textbooks. He says, "Read pages 111-119 on the physical effects of smoking. Answer the 6 questions at the end of the chapter and turn in your work by the end of the period." And, the teacher expects that his students will now never use a tobacco product. Right.This is how health education was taught to many of us. And, it's not effective. Sit and get, read and process, test and learn doesn't necessarily work when it comes to Read ▸ about How to Teach Health Education, Like Really Teach It.

Today, the Lane Report shared news that our Education Commissioner, Terry Holliday  is "committed to improving the health and wellness of Kentucky's students. ‘Let’s Move!’ helps schools create active environments that get students moving every day and supports their success in school.”What a breathe of fresh air! A leader that recognizes the link between health and learning! Nearly 50 Kentucky school districts have signed up for the initiative that supports schools using a needs Read ▸ about Let’s Move Active Schools in Kentucky

Over the years, non-core subjects have lost their ground in the K-12 school day. Reading, writing and math are considered core since our national leaders in education believe that in order for the USA to be most competitive we need to teach and test these core subjects to ad nauseam. But what's happening is that physical education and my beloved health is being cut at alarming rates. I'm unsure that focusing less on the whole child and more on these 3 golden subjects will really lead to higher Read ▸ about Core Academic Subjects… to Ad Nauseam

This is the first blogpost from new guest blogger Jamie Sparks! We are thrilled that Jamie will be a regularly featured blogger for Cairn Guidance. To hear Jamie verbally/visually present this blog post (audio-blog), click here. In March of 2013, I finally gave in and converted to Twitter (@JamieSparksCSH).  It was my second conversion to the world of social media, the other being LinkedIn.  I use both mediums for strictly professional purposes to increase awareness and Read ▸ about Physical Activity Interventions

Last Thursday, the Department for Public Health (DPH), Cabinet for Health and Family Services sponsored their annual conference and you'll NEVER guess what their topic for this year was?? Coordinated School Health (CSH). It got me thinking… I've moved to the right state.DPH Coordinated School Health lead, Victoria Greenwell partnered with Department of Education Coordinated School Health, Jamie Sparks, Todd Davis and Stephanie Bunge (which forms the CSH Team between health and education), Board Read ▸ about 2013 Coordinated School Health Summit, All In for Health & Academic Success