"It's just gym, huh?
Well think again. It's the only subject I know of that directly reduces a kid's long-term risk of heart failure, diabetes, depression, anxiety, several cancers, and obesity - and at the same time enhances fitness, cognitive function, self-esteem, teamwork, and overall good health.
Like it or not, the truth is, if we keep cutting PE out of our schools and physical activity out of our lives, America's next generation will be dying at younger ages; losing its comPEtitive edge; finding itself displaced on the world's stage; and bearing the physical, emotional, and financial burden of obesity and chronic disease for years to come."
Although this article starts off about homeschooled children coming into the gym, it continues with information about great PE programs in the US and how they are changing.
"Girls, Boys, and Media:
A Gender and Digital Life Toolkit for Educators
Messages about gender roles come from all directions, but some of the most influential messages come from the media. For today's kids, that means not just the TV shows, movies, and ads they see, but all of the messages and images they create and receive from their friends.
Use this toolkit to help students reflect on gender stereotypes: where they come from, how we learn them, and how they can shape the media that we consume and create."
This is a G+ community started by some teachers in other NESA schools - you might be interested in their resources and/or joining in ont he convo! (your ipod touches will certainly have much in common with their iPad chat...)