Posted on: Thursday, September 23, 2004
WHAT WORKS
Beads of sweat earn coveted bead necklaces
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer
The latest trend at Makaha Elementary School is beaded necklaces, tangible rewards from a new program that keeps kids active and occupied during recess.
Pupils earn the coveted beads by walking laps around the field or performing a variety of dances, such as the "Chicken Fat" exercise dance, the "Cha Cha Slide" and the "Macarena." Since school began six weeks ago, pupils and their family members have walked 16,609 laps, or 2,768 miles. Makaha's goal is to "Walk to Athens," a distance of 8,336 miles.
The program enables the school to focus its efforts on making progress under No Child Left Behind without sacrificing physical fitness. "With all the emphasis on language arts and math and science and stuff, the kids and the classes weren't having enough time for physical things and a lot of the kids are overweight," said vice principal Lynn Okamura.
The activities also give children who struggle academically the chance to feel successful at school.
Since the pupils have physical education once a week only, the program is an alternative way to meet the state's physical education standards. Okamura said the activities also help pupils achieve the state's general learner outcomes, which include setting priorities.
A side benefit has been a reduction in referrals for fighting and other negative behavior during recess. Last year, an average of 63 pupils per quarter were referred to Okamura's office from the playground; during the first quarter of this year, Okamura has had only one. "That is so phenomenal," the vice principal said.
Part of the difference is that the two vice principals, counselors and other staff members are now out on the field, which means they can also monitor the children, Okamura said.
But the bigger change is that children now have something to do. Before the new recess program, students would just run out onto an empty field. "They had nothing to do out there. They would run into each other, they would pick up sticks if they were on the ground, they would throw beans at each other," Okamura said.
The program rewards parent participation, with children earning special heart-shaped beads when their parents walk with them or participate in other ways. Okamura thinks that's why 100 parents showed up at the last 'ohana night, up from eight at the previous meeting.
Many parents enjoy the program so much that they are collecting beads for themselves. Rene Suckoll, a clerk at the school, walks with her 5-year-old son and has her sights set on the ultimate bead — a large star that represents 100 miles.
Irene Matthijssen, a mother who wears the beads around her wrist, volunteers at school and walks with her daughters, Dyana and Jessica, three or four times a week. "The kids really like it. They like the bead incentive," she said.
School clerk Roni Kaawa likes it so much, she wishes her daughter's school had a similar program.
Children who aren't interested in walking or dancing have other options. Older kids often play basketball. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the Boys and Girls Club offers sports, like tennis, kickball and dodgeball. Those who don't feel like exercising can sit in the shade reading or socializing. Okamura is trying to figure out a way to award beads for reading.
While third-graders Dean Bodonia and Saily Berry doggedly walk a six-lap mile to earn six beads each day, other pupils have reasons to get active.
Sixth-grader Kathleen Faumuina likes the activities more than the beads, which she gives to her younger brother. Recess used to be full of Chase Master and volleyball, but Kathleen likes "Chicken Fat" and other dances better. "You get to have fun and dance," she said.
Lessons learned: Rather than focusing on negative behaviors and trying to correct them, this program acknowledges kids for positive behavior. "When you provide positive things for them to do, they have less occasion to get into mischief, plus they get fit," Okamura said.
The keys to success: Lots of volunteers. Okamura has recruited staff, student council members and parents to help staff the activities. The program was also tailored to appeal to the Makaha student population, which is made up of largely kinesthetic learners. Okamura has also kept it flexible, with options for working parents to help their children earn the heart-shaped beads. She is also looking for ways to award beads to pupils who have activities during recess, such as Junior Police Officers.
How they do it: Okamura purchased about $50 worth of beads and $150 worth of plastic necklaces, then recruited volunteers to monitor the activities and pass out beads. To get pupils interested, she assigned them to the different activities for the first two weeks so they would have a good idea of the offerings before making their own decisions.
Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525- 8014.
