Fitnessgram testing

With fitness testing pre-test just around the corner, I wanted to share with you some best practices that have worked for me with my students. 

FYI – I introduce the test at the end of 2nd grade so that students are already familiar with the format and not overwhelmed as 3rd graders.

1.     Demonstrate to the students what you are asking them to do. I use the Fitnessgram videos and fast forward to the actual skill part so that the students see it done correctly.

2.    Have a few students demonstrate to the group proper form and technique. Use this as a teaching moment to show students what you are looking for, and what they will be helping their partner with.

3.    Pair students with a partner (or allow them to pair themselves), and practice to the cadence. I line mine up down the center line with their partner sitting across from them. This gives my aide and I a chance to go and correct the mistakes as well as applaud the correct forms.

4.    Introduce the score card and the responsibility that comes with the “scorekeeper” title. I always tell my students that if a score card look “suspicious” we will personally test that students one-on-one J!

5.    Give each student a score card, and instruct them to write their name as the “student,” their partners name as the “scorekeeper.”

6.    Now, you are ready to begin. I like to practice one day, do push-ups, curl-ups and trunk lift the next day, and finally sit & reach, pacing, and height & weight the third day.

7.    I reserve the cart with computers so that the students can enter their own scores into Fitnessgram. They sign in with their student ID.

8.    It’s really important to help students take ownership with this test. Don’t do it just because it is required. If you teach them what the scores mean and where they should be in the healthy zone, they will set goals to be in that zone J!

Fitnessgram video links:

Push-ups http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_D3bacZ7u0

Curl-ups http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPQpernkK4w

Trunk lift http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvYI3iPUHpY      

Sit & reach http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_NL2Pke4NM

Pacing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XJAtUKjxk4

Click on this link to acces my scorecard from dropbox:

Scorecard    (print on tag & cut)

Feel free to contact me with any questions of concerns. I am here to help you succeed!

Jackie Caver

[email protected]