Students can report to their classrooms at 7:45 each morning, where their teachers greet them as they hang up their jackets and bags before beginning their morning work. It’s a wonderful routine and a great way to start the day.
But what happens when students arrive before 7:45, particularly before 7:30?
At our school, students who arrive early are directed to the gymnasium, where they sit with their grade level until 7:45. It’s a nice opportunity to quietly socialize with friends and enjoy the soft music played by Miss Debbie.
But what about the students who would rather move?
In 2013, I started a program called Every Lap Counts, and the premise was simple: students who arrive before 7:40 can head outside to the track. There, they can walk, jog, run, or race. As long as they’re moving around the oval, they’re welcome to participate.
Each morning, from 7:30 to 7:50, I’m out on the track to welcome students who choose movement over sitting in the gym. The program’s success was immediate, and it continues to thrive today.
Every morning, between 50 and 100 students take to the track, moving at their own pace and in their own way. Some walk and socialize with friends. Others challenge themselves to run as many laps as possible, while a few challenge their friends to a quick sprint. There’s no single right way to participate. The goal is to get moving and enjoy the experience.
Each year, I establish a mileage goal for our school. This year, our challenge is to collectively complete 3,000 miles on the track! Last year, we reached an impressive 2,734 miles, putting us well on our way to this year’s goal.
So, how do I keep track of all those miles? With a simple tally counter! Each morning, I count the total number of laps completed by our students. I then record our daily, weekly, and year-to-date totals in a spreadsheet, updating the numbers every Friday morning so students can see our progress.
Every lap adds up, and every student contributes. Whether a student walks one lap with a friend or runs several laps to challenge themselves, their effort moves our school one step closer to its goal.
This goal is secondary to the overall benefits for each student who participates.
- Improved academic focus and scores
- Increased classroom engagement
- Enhanced mood and emotional health
- Reduces anxiety
- Helps build lifelong health habits
That’s the beauty of Every Lap Counts. Every student can participate, every effort matters, and every morning brings a new opportunity to get moving!
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Stylianou, M., Kulinna, P. H., van der Mars, H., Mahar, M. T., Adams, M. A., & Amazeen, E. (2016). Before-school running/walking club: Effects on student on-task behavior. Preventive Medicine Reports, 3, 196–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.01.010 Cited by: 68
Tompkins, C. L., Hopkins, J., Goddard, L., & Brock, D. W. (2012). The effect of an unstructured, moderate to vigorous, before-school physical activity program in elementary school children on academics, behavior, and health. BMC Public Health, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-300 Cited by: 37
