South Pointe students are benefitting from the new Read and Ride program.
By Walnut Valley Unified
South Pointe Middle School physical education teachers are helping students exercise their brains during fitness classes.
“Our teachers read an article that said if you read while you’re working out you’re brain will actually imprint the information a little bit more,” Principal Susan Arzola said.
P.E. teachers thought it would be perfect for the 30-minute silent reading called AR (Accelerated Reader).
“We began playing with the Read and Ride program at the end of last year and decided to make it official in August,” explained P.E. teacher Ann Schnoor.
Every class is in the fitness room once a week. P.E. teachers now rotate the schedule so students climb on exercise bikes to Read and Ride twice each month. The 6th-8th grade students get fit with cardio push music during Week 1. They stand up, tighten tension, pedal, sit down, and repeat.
During Week 2 they they Read and Ride. Week 3 is movie and ride and week four is another Read and Ride.
“The kids love the diversity of the days. We give rewards to anyone who rides over 12 miles at a time. Believe me, that is tough. Yet, we have at least 10 every period who achieve that!” Schnoor said.
The room is quiet during Read and Ride weeks. “I like the peace and quiet while I read. It gives me a chance to think about a lot of stuff. And it helps with my multitasking,” said Amir Hunter, age 14.
“You can conserve time and do cool stuff at the same time,” said 8thgrader Christine Wan, age 13.
“So if you’re studying for a test that might be a good time to read and ride as you study because your brain will start putting those tracks down in your head and you’ll remember it better,” Arzola said to students in an 8th grade class. “It will make you smarter in the end!”
