1.      Students will understand that there are a variety of places in their community where they can be physically active.

2.      Students will understand that although some activity locations cost money, there is always at least one place where they can be active at no cost.

3.      Students will understand how to contact a community organization (via letter or phone call) in order to obtain information.

4.      Students will understand how to present information to other people.

5.      Students will understand how to conduct research and summarize research results.

6.      Students will appreciate the benefits of the community in which they live.

1. Phone books, local parks and recreation newsletters, the internet, school library
2. Paper for the business letters and resource guides the students will create
3. Binders or lamination and binding for the resource guides

Regardless of where you live, there are places for your family to be active.  You and your family can be active practically anywhere.  The sidewalk in front of your home provides a good place for physical activity, but you can also venture far away to be active.  You could go skiing as a family. There are always going to be options that are available at no cost and options that will cost money. Depending on the area in which you teach, your students will have different barriers to accessing safe and affordable places to be physically active. Some students may have no barriers at all, while others may not even be able to safely play in their yard or may not have a sidewalk. In all cases, it is important for students to research the options available to them. While some places, like the YMCA, may charge money, they also offer scholarship programs for low-income families.  There are also community centers that sometimes offer services at no charge.

Begin with a group discussion regarding places in the community where students can be physically active. There are locations that are free (hiking trails, bike paths, parks) and community centers, facilities or activities that cost money (swimming pools, sports leagues, dance studios). A list is provided for more ideas (see Additional Resources). Write down all the suggestions made by the students.  Be sure to include schools as locations where students can be active at no charge.

Once the students have come up with a sufficient list assign one location to each student/pair of students.  This lesson will be divided into three parts: research, composing a business letter and creating a resource guide.

Explanation of the activity:

This activity will help students to become more aware of places they can go to be physically active.  They will do research on different places where they can be physically active.

Preparation:

You will need phone books, local parks and recreation newsletters, the internet and use of the school library for the students to conduct research.  You may want to locate print materials for the students ahead of time.

Directions:

After they have their assigned location, students, they will begin their research.  They should use phone books, local parks and recreation newsletters, the internet, the school library and any other resources that you have collected for them.  The research may be conducted in class or as homework, depending on the amount of time and home resources available. Students should obtain the following information:

•Facility location, telephone number and website (if applicable)

•Activities that are offered for their age group

•Costs (if any)

•Event/promotional schedule

•They should make a request to have materials sent to them (flyers, brochures, newsletters)

In order to obtain the above information, students should compose a business letter.  This letter should be in correct business letter format.  Students should have their letters approved before they are mailed out. (See sample letter). They should make a first draft and submit it to a classmate to be peer edited.  Once a second draft has been composed, both drafts should be turned into the teacher. The final draft should be mailed.

                                                                        35 E. Gay Street, Suite 509

                                                                        Columbus, Ohio 43215

                                                                        6 September 2006

Bradley Community Center

350 York Avenue

Bradley, Ohio 12345

Dear Sir or Madam:

            My 4^th grade class is creating a resource guide that includes all the places where we can be physically active in our community.  I have chosen to find out about the Bradley Community Center. I would like to know what activities your facility offers and how much each activity or service costs.  Please include activities that are free and sports leagues or camps that the community center provides.

            I need to have all of the brochures and flyers that you have available.  If your brochure does not have your telephone number or website listed, please include them in your response. I would also like an event schedule.

            Thank you for helping my class stay physically active.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Nolan Smith

Step 1: While students are waiting for a response to their letters, they should design the layout for the Resource Guide. Each student’s page can have a different layout.

Step 2: A cover can be designed together as a class, or each student can draw a cover and the class can vote on which one to use as the Official Resource Guide cover.

Step 3: Once students receive their responses, have them create an entry page for their organization.  There may be students who do not receive a response to their letter. Those students who do not receive a response can create an entry page for another organization using information readily available from other sources (the internet, talking to someone on the phone, etc.).

Step 4: Assemble the entry pages into a binder or laminate and bind them into a book format. Make sure that all brochures, flyers and newsletters are included as well. If you have the resources, it is best to make sure that each student receives a photocopy of the resource guide to take home to their parents or guardians. This will help promote physical activity within families.

Step 5: Students should give a brief presentation (approximately 2 minutes) about their community location activity.  They will summarize how their research process was carried out, what they learned and whether or not they recommend their location/activity.