You can download the new “GeekDad” song for absolutely free! Just click the Download button on the player above.
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I co-wrote this song with fellow GeekDad Z., who happens to host both the GeekDad HipTrax Podcast as well as the Radio Free Hipster Podcast.
We wrote this song to celebrate the release of head GeekDad Ken Denmead’s new GeekDad Book.
I hope you enjoy it,
An elementary school in Maryland that was encountering discipline problems with the students recently came up with a solution that “ran circles” around their expectations.
In recent years, the staff at Orchard Grove Elementary School in Frederick, Maryland, noted a steady increase in discipline problems at the school, with up to seven students per day ending up in the principal’s office. The culprit turned out to be an excess of energy on the part of the kids, and a lack of a constructive outlet for the energy. I’m sure that that particular conclusion will come as no surprise to any parent reading GeekDad, of course.
Gym teacher Brenda Tarquinio’s solution to this overabundance of energy was to create a running club. Students in the club were awarded popsicle stick tokens for distance run at recess. Once students accumulated 5-miles worth of these distance tokens, they traded them in for a small plastic shoe. As simple as this reward system was, it was enough to motivate students to get involved with the program.
Over time, the rewards developed themes such as snowflakes for running in winter, turkeys for Thanksgiving, and Shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day. As well, students were publicly recognized for significant distance achievements, such as the 26-mile Marathon Club or the 100-Mile Club.
The results were impressive. According to the article at Play Ball America:
Begun in 2009, its running club has resulted in rocketing fitness scores, dwindling discipline problems, rising test scores, improved self-esteem, and a 99 percent student participation rate.
Assistant Prinicipal Marylyn Mathews has reported that the number of children sent to her office after lunch has decreased from seven per day to three per week. “It really changed the culture of the school,” she said.
In recent years, there has been a marked decrease in the physical activity levels of children. Rather than active play, kids spend a staggering amount of time in front of screens, playing video games, watching TV, chatting with friends, and more. As well, phys-ed has been de-emphasized in favor of academics and standardized testing. Clearly, this shift in activity is not healthy for either the bodies or the minds of kids. Charlene Burgeson, executive director of the National Association of Sport and Physical Education, said it well:
This is the model. Most kids’ experience with running have only been in spurts. Here is a program that teaches how to pace yourself and gain endurance. And, at the end of the day, they can do so much more than they ever imagined.
Of course, getting kids active is not solely the responsibility of schools. As parents, we should be setting an example by being fit and active ourselves, and we should make a point of getting out and playing with our kids in an active, healthy way. So put down the mouse and get outside for a while — GeekDad will still be here when you get back…
[This article, by Roy Wood, was originally published on Monday. Please leave any comments you may have on the original.]
FYE – Save $8 per Green Lantern movie ticket
Did I take advantage of this offer, or was I the one taken advantage of? Let’s analyze my last purchase together and I’ll find out right alongside you. Can you guess which one I’m hoping for?
The Offer: Buy two specially marked movies at FYE, and receive a card good for eight dollars off one admission to see Green Lantern at participating theaters.
The Selection: There were many DC-themed movies and animated films to choose from, ranging from good to bad to ugly. Yeah, you know the ones I mean. Here’s the main ones I recall:
And a few others were there, as well. All in all, it was a pretty good assortment if you didn’t already own them. Plus, you could always grab something for a gift.
The Discrepancies: Two-disc sets and singles were priced the same; moreover, some copies of the exact same movie had price tags, differing by as much as $5. Of course, this has always been the case with FYE, that’s why you have to look over each individual case.
The Purchase: I ended up with Secret Origin, All Star Superman, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. I chose the Batman titles, because I already owned most of the others, and these were some of the cheaper titles I could get away with. My son should like them … They’re colorful.
The Extras: They were nice enough to allow me to use a separate transaction to pick two other DVDs and acquire a second card for my wife. Note: I assume this is something they’ll all do, but don’t be surprised if they stick to the one ticket/one patron rule. Another extra: I didn’t already have an FYE membership card, so I signed up and saved an additional six bucks.
The Pros: I received a ticket plus a couple of cool movies. I think that Secret Origins will be pretty informative and entertaining to boot. Not too mention the variety of titles to choose from.
The Cons: In last year’s Black Friday blitz, I was able to pick up three or four animated DC movies at Wal-Mart for under two dollars each. If I were a gambling man, I’d bet they’ll have those same movies and perhaps some newer ones this November. However, that would require you to wait another five months to purchase them. And, you wouldn’t receive the Green Lantern “free” pass. Of course, it won’t be a completely free ticket for me, as I’ll still have to pay a dollar, or more, per ticket.
The Conclusion: Did I come out a winner? Yes, because come blackest night or brightest day, I’m going to see Green Lantern, regardless; and this way, I got to get a little something extra along the way.
The Disclaimer: Be sure to check out FYE.com or your local FYE store for full details.
