Vidcast - Key Assignment Reflection

“Succeed at School” Vidcast
JaNae Wilson and Tamara Krause

5th Grade Core
Health Education Standard I:
Students will learn ways to improve and manage mental health and stress.

The topic of improving mental health and stress became an interest to us (and our fellow classmates) as we began our first block in the UVU Education program. We wanted to share some helpful ideas with our fellow co-hort classmates. We soon discovered that these simple, easy steps could apply to our 5th grade classroom as well. A public service announcement (PSA) was our choice of format. By using the acronym “PASSING,” we wanted it to be easier for kids to remember all of the steps.
P is for Prioritize.
A is for Aerobic Exercise.
S is for Sleep.
S is also for Study.
I is for daily “I” Affirmations.*
N if for Nutrition.
G is for Goals.

*Many may think of daily affirmations as silly, but they are really effective at
building self-esteem and positive EQ (emotional intelligence).

We want to teach our students that by practicing these simple steps, they will not only pass tests in school, but develop life-long strategies that will help them throughout their lives to be successful and happy.

Our podcast connects to Nets Standards by promoting and modeling creative, innovative thinking and inventiveness. It also connects by communicating relevant information and ideas efficiently to peers and students using a variety of digital-age media and formats. With customizing and personalizing learning activities to address students diverse learning styles, these working strategies and abilities using digital tools and resources are also included.

The podcast also connects to INTASC Standards. In 2 (c) design and articulate instruction aligned with Utah. In 2(g) centered curriculum across multiple content areas. And also in 3(e) differentiate instruction to meet individual student learning needs.

A possible drawback to using this presentation in our future classroom is that the level of information may not be detailed enough for 5th graders. It would, however be a great intro to the topic discussion. Some of the topics could involve adopting behaviors to help maintain mental health; reading; exercising; life long learning and abstaining from substance abuse.

Future plans for this series would possibly include the students making their own podcast for the classroom. They would work in small groups and could even present on other subject areas (social studies, health, even math) as well. This would also be great start of a series of mental and emotional behavioral topics that are included in the Health Core curriculum. All students need to be able to handle the stresses of school and learn to balance and maintain a healthy mental life. This Vidcast is not only fun and entertaining but teaches important tools for students of all ages.