RUN TO READ AND WRITE FUN RUN: PART 3 KidsRunning.Com Classroom Event by Carol Goodrow The Bridge Photos by Leon's Dad, Joey's Dad, Eric G.'s Mom, and Carol Goodrow Art and Writing by the kids after running a mile at the fun run. What to write? From the Fun Run Writers' Table WE'RE ALL WINNERS Primary children are not too young to distinguish between a fun run, in which "We are all winners," and a race, in which the fastest takes the prize. "Run to Read and Write!" is an event in which we are all winners. My kids know that we are going to have a competitive race during the last week of school, but they also know that a fun run is a noncompetitive event. Every child receives a medal and a ribbon at the finish line. At our "Run to Read and Write!" event, we are all winners when it comes to our writing, too. There are no 'grades' given, no final copies necessary; only rough drafts with a child's original thoughts and best attempts at language and spelling. The philosophy of everyone being a winner does not preclude hard work and standards. The medals were earned by completing a cross-country mile on varied terrain, and the RED RIBBONS, were a reward for a year's worth of writing using the writing process (prewriting, rough draft, editing, and final copies). They were part of KR'S RED RIBBON program in which kids complete 12 specific writing activities. Some of the activities were classroom activities and others were assigned as homework projects. Although the kids earned their RED RIBBONS a month ago, we decided to award the ribbons, with the medals, at the fun run. RUNNING PROGRAMS: Many different kinds of running programs exist all over the world. At KR we hear from people every day who have successful programs or who would like to start one. My classroom program is great for young children and for children who are developing their reading and writing skills, but there are other programs that might better suit your needs. Here are a few. Pete Saccone's "Funner" to Be a Runner program. Pete teaches elementary children in a setting where there is no physical education. He runs with his kids on a daily basis and has for 23 years! He has integrated running into all aspects of his curriculum, is a professional speaker, has written a booklet on his running program, has had a mile race named for him, and is a columnist for kidsrunning.com! You can read his column at http://www.kidsrunning.com/krsaccone.html. USATF has programs for kids who are interested in competitive running. They are one of the organizations that host a Junior Olympic series. They have a youth section on their Web site with information about their various programs. Special Olympics Their motto is "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. " The President's Challenge This is a Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program. OUR RUNNING PROGRAM PAGE When people write to this Web site and want advice on starting running programs, I usually ask them to read the articles on our Running Program page first. This is the best place to start. You'll find lots of ideas and models that will help you formulate a plan for your program. My principal runs with my daughter Josie. About 300,000 people a year in the US die from diseases related to inactivity. (AP-Erin McClain, Sunday 7, 2002) Part 1: Run to Read and Write | Part 2 THANKS TO OUR FUN RUN SPONSORS: The Hartford Courant | Reebok | RUNNER'S WORLD | USATF | The Vernon Collision Center, Vernon, CT Thanks to Sarah from my class of 2000 for the running number design and thanks to Bryan Hoddle of hoddlespeak.homestead.com for the fitness quotes and statistics.