The New Gym
It's a sunny day, and 9-year-old Liza
is on the banks of Biscayne Bay in
Miami, Florida. Today, the first-time sailor
will learn how to use a boat.
This isn't an end-of-summer trip.
It's gym class for fourth and fifth graders at Riverside Elementary
School. Riverside is one of many schools around the country that
have begun adding fun, new activities to gym classes.
In schools like Riverside, gym class is no longer about basketball
or gymnastics. Kids can now find activities they'll enjoy
so much that they'll stay active for the rest of their lives. The
activities include yoga, cycling, martial arts, dance, kickboxing,
in-line skating, sailing and kayaking.
The goal is to teach children sports
they can enjoy outside of school.
This movement comes in response to studies
that show kids are less active than ever before. In July, the government
launched its own program to get America's children moving.
The campaign, Verb: It's What You Do, shows kids ages 9 to 13 fun
ways to get active.