Innovative Products

     This area is dedicated to new products that I feel would be an asset to any physical Education or fitness class.  Following these links will open a new window.

                  Product Review - TRIKKE

I was recently given the opportunity to assess and review a new product distributed by the Trikke company.  Following is my experience with the company and their product:
    
 First, let me say that the company and representatives have been very helpful and courteous.   The shipping of the Trikke was very fast; I received it just a few days after the order.
     To be perfectly honest, I was a bit skeptical about the Trikke, but after opening the box, I was pleasantly surprised.
  Upon arrival, there was very little construction, as most of the Trikke is already assembled upon arrival.  The Trikke came with a DVD that has assembly instructions, safety instructions and riding instructions.
     After getting the Trikke assembled, I wanted to give it a test ride, before allowing the students to ride.
  The Trikke is very stable, so immediately my concerns of the students crashing were put to ease. 
     At first I felt pretty awkward trying to ride, but after a few minutes I started to feel a little more comfortable, and by the end of my prep period I was fairly proficient.  After just a few minutes, I was hooked, so of course I had to show each class how to ride the Trikke.  J  I allowed all my students to give the Trikke a test ride and the results were all the same; the kids loved it.  They picked the technique up quickly and were able to ride fairly well, after just a few minutes.
 
    To start the Trikke moving, you begin by pushing off as you would for a skateboard or scooter.  After becoming more proficient you will be able to start the scooter moving from a stationary position.  One of the great features of the Trikke, is that you do not have to push off, once the trikke is in motion the action your arms and legs will keep the trikke moving and accelerating.  The leg motion it takes to propel the Trikke is very similar to the leg motion involved in skating.  The Trikke also incorporates upper body movement by “punching” forward to turn the front wheel.  This motion is further emphasized when riding the Trikke uphill.
     Overall, I found the Trikke to be a good workout for upper and lower body, as well as cardio.
  I also found it to be fun to ride, as I cannot help to hop on it when time allows.
    
 PROS:
    
The Trikke is very well made, sturdy and stable.  This is not a cheap knockoff.
          It is a great workout for upper body, lower body and cardio.
          It is fun to ride; to the point of being addicting.
          Easy Assembly
          Folds up for easy storage and transport
         It is easily adjustable to match the size of the rider.
    
CONS:  Some may worry about the price ($199.00), but once you actually get to see and ride the Trikke, you will see that is it a very well built piece of equipment.  I can’t wait to get one for myself. 
     
To get more information on this product, as well as other carving vehicles please visit Trikke.com.



     Skillastics

Skillastics® is a series of standards-based fitness and sport-specific games that allow 1 to 100 children of varying ages and fitness levels to participate and enjoy being active at one time.  Easy to set up and teach, Skillastics® develops confidence, facilitates cooperation, and instills positive exercise habits that last a lifetime!  Skillastics® is an attitude, a methodology that allows ALL children to have a positive experience in being physically active!
Over 13,000 quality programs have adopted Skillastics®, and are raving about how it provides effective standards-based education principals all in the atmosphere of FUN!  www.skillastics.com


Order before April 1st and get a free gift for each student!

      YourFieldDay.com offers custom field day shirts at the lowest possible prices. YourFieldDay.com is a part of GRAVADI Activewear, a nationwide full-service apparel company/custom screen-print shop. Located in Knoxville, TN, GRAVADI has been providing clients across the country with quality screen printed apparel for well over 5 years. GRAVADI specializes in custom design screen-printing, event shirts/apparel, as well as a custom cheer & dance retail line.
YourFieldDay.com was established in 2007. This being our fourth year, we look forward to providing even more schools across the country with Custom Field Day Shirts to make their Field Day both successful and profitable

 
Nutrition and Activity  Journals
 

     PE Fit is a company whose goal is to help students, teachers and parents to adopt a healthier, more active lifestyle. 
     This goal is reached through the development and publishing of nutritional and activity journals which are age and experience appropriate.  The nutritional and activity journals are available for any age from elementary through adult.

     “The Nutrition and Activity Program has been successfully implemented at Springfield High School in Akron, Ohio.  Students have made improvements in their fitness levels, reduced their weight and percentage of body fat and improved their eating habits.  Implementing the fitness activities has been a lot of fun for the students as well as the physical education teachers!”

     Please visit http://www.PEJournal.com for more information and to purchase your Journals.

$125,00 Salary for PE/Health Education Teachers.

     This information was relayed to me from The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School.
     Earn a $125,000 salary and join a team of master teachers a The Equity Project (TEP)Charter School, recently featured on the front page of the New York Times: (http://www.tepcharter.org/nytimes.php).
     TEP is a new 480-student 5th through 8th grade middle school in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City.  Applications are currently being accepted for teaching positions in P.E./Health, Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Music, Latin and Special Education.
     Learn more and apply today at http://www.tepcharter.org/apply.php
     I am also posting more information about TEP Charter School, on our innovative page.


     ABOUT TEP CHARTER SCHOOL
     TEP aims to put equality into practice for the central conclusion of a large body of research related to student achievement: teacher equality is the most important school-based factor in the academic success of students, particularly those from low-income families.  In singling out teacher quality as the essential lever in educational reform, TEP is focused on attracting and retaining master teachers.  To do so, TEP uses a three pronged strategy that it terms the 3 R's: Rigorous Qualifications, Redefined Expectations, and Revolutionary Compensation.  For more information, visit us online at http://www.tepcharter.org
     COMPENSATION:
$125,000 salary + potential annual bonus, full benefits package.

 

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