This is an unusual post, but Christmas is just around the corner and I, for one, could stand to lose a few pounds before the “eating season’ begins. We have a nice long winter holiday here at the Smith’s Schools. I usually take the opportunity to go home to Canada to visit family, but this year I’ll be staying in Japan. Nonetheless, I’m sure we’ll manage a little holiday gluttony.
I decided to have a challenge at my school. It’s a fun way to get students involved without anyone having to take on too much. After thinking about it, I decided to invite all owners, teachers, staff and students to get involved in a little Smith’s Community Spirit.
Last summer my friend issued a challenge that she called “The Hundred Day Challenge.” It’s a simple, but kind of fun challenge.
So, it goes like this. Everyday, do one exercise of any kind… It can be ab exercises, a yoga pose, climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator…or taking the stairs up a few floors if you work or live high, getting off the train one stop early…you get the picture…If you’re already a hard core exerciser, then a little stretch or extra walk on your days off won’t hurt. Oh, and flyers count! And so does shopping!
I have modified the challenge to 30 days, hoping to get ahead of myself before the long holiday stretch. It starts from today, or whatever day you decide to start and continues for30 days…and if you don’t do a day, don’t stop…just add on an extra day! I intend to use my weekdays to do flyers!
Like I said, I already invited my students…some are participating…some just shook their heads and laughed, but everyone felt included…And I encourage you to invite your students too! Why not?
So, to everyone in the Smith’s Community, I challenge you to participate in and invite your students to participate in “The Smith’s 30 Day Challenge”.
Hi Carol,
Sounds like fun idea.
There is great 30 day challenge TED Talk by Matt Cutts.
http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html
I had my students listen to this talk in the class with subtitles in Japanese so we could talk about the ideas. It’s only a few minutes long. I tried a few ways to use the talk in the lesson. It was a lot of fun and the students enjoyed the change of pace.
One of my students decided to give it a try and started walking every morning. It has been 3 months or more now and she has even recruited a friend to join her.
It’s great to have positive impact on our students lives.
I will try myself to take up your challenge and I’ll encourage my students to do the same.
Cheers,
Mike, Azamino
Hi Mike,
This is amazing! I have not only been sharing it with students, I put it on my personal blog (which was something I never thought I’d do….but then, so was buying and English school!)
I’m glad you shared my 30 day challenge…I’ve enjoyed sharing yours, too!
Hi Carol,
I’m a little late to your 30-day party; during class discussions of New Year’s wishes/resolutions, it’s been very relevant. The S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound) objectives touched on in the TED talk are great.
Speaking of, I was recently surprised to learn that a smartphone-using student used the TED talks app to practice! Serendipity.
Belated thanks,
Rick