Best of the Web

Periodically we compile a list of the best of what the Internet has to offer to teachers—be that in the classroom or just in daily life. The current edition, “Physical Fitness Education,” comes as a result of TeachersCount’s recent trip to Hawaii to help honor the NFL Teacher of the Year at the 2007 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl. In keeping with the NFL’s goal to foster healthy bodies and minds, this edition of Best of the Web will point you to the resources you need to help students live healthy lives.

If you would like to suggest a topic for a future edition, please email us at info@teacherscount.org.

View the Best of the Web Archive for past editions, including Museum Websites, Education Blogs, Civics Resources, and many more.

Physical Fitness Education

American Heart Association

The AHA presents heart-healthy lesson ideas and activities that can be sorted by curriculum, grade level, lifestyle message, and type of material.

American Council on Exercise: Youth Fitness Curriculum

ACE gives resources and information to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers who would like to incorporate health and fitness into classroom learning.

Healthy Youth Funding Database

Powered by the Centers for Disease Control, the Healthy Youth Funding Database provides grant listings for youth- and school-based health programs.

Join the Team: Health Programs

Take a look at the NFL programs designed to encourage healthy bodies and healthy lives.

Media Healthy Youth

Created by the National Institute of Health, “Media-Smart Youth: Eat, Think, and Be Active!” is an interactive after-school education program. It is designed to help teach youth about the complex media world around them and how it can affect their health--especially in the areas of nutrition and physical activity.

News Hour Extra: Health and Fitness

Based on stories heard on Jim Lehrer’s PBS NewsHour, this site lists health and fitness lesson plans for a variety of subjects, ranging from the spread of bird flu to America’s fast food obsession.

PE Central

The self-proclaimed ‘premier website for physical education’, PE Central offers teachers the tool to cultivate healthy students through physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices.

The President’s Challenge

The President’s Challenge encourages all American to live an active healthy lifestyle. It especially encourages educators to assist their students in this challenge by providing a four-pronged program that can be implemented at any school.

VERB ball

From the CDC, this instructional kit engages “tween” minds while increasing their physical activity.