Running To Iraq

This is a school-wide participation of teachers, staff and students walking and running the 6,000 miles from West Point, N.Y. to Baghdad. (You can estimate distance from your own school site.) Teachers and staff may submit weekly walking and running mileage to me as I total the entire school's mileage. Students participate in Physical Education class and run as part of the cardio warm-up or as part of a center. Mileage is tallied on a weekly basis. Everyone's mileage counts. Each person works at their own pace. Footprint stickers are placed on the world map showing where we have traveled. Children have opportunities throughout the school year to write letters and cards to soldiers and send care packages. Banners and holiday decorations are sent on a quarterly basis.

Variations:

This can coincide with other subject areas, ie. social studies and math. Let the students tally 'class' miles. You can use a wall of the gym as a large map with 'footprints' to incorporate an art project.

Teaching Suggestions/Tips:

Tallying the mileage may be too time consuming. It is more important to show that as a school teachers and students are working together toward a common goal-supporting our soldiers and being physically active than being consumed over the exact mileage.

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