Why an Aerobic newspaper?
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Welcome to The Aerobic Newspaper, a novel, project-based kinetic curriculum for kids who like to move, create, connect, collaborate and communicate. Developed by award-winning curriculum designer and science writer, Anne Brataas.
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The Aerobic Newspaper is a new genre of curriculum. It was conceived and developed by the award-winning science communication, curriculum development and E-learning company, The Story Laboratory, based in St. Paul, Minn. The Aerobic Newspaper is designed to improve and deepen elementary-school aged kids’ reading, writing, analytical and planning abilities—and their health. It does this by combining physical activity with story telling in words and pictures, and by mastering the rapidly evolving communication and technology skills that underlie and drive the collaborative writing, teaching and learning model of the future.
Do. Move. Learn.
In producing The Aerobic Newspaper, kids master cognitive tasks by doing and moving. The high level critical thinking tasks involved include multiple modes of writing; reading comprehension; conducting discerning research to identify and synthesize quality source material; reflecting to organize materials as narrative and exposition. Students develop engaging newspaper content using the additional skills of dynamic interviewing techniques, project management, digital story telling and illustration. They distribute it and interact with larger communities by mastering the online production technology needed to publish a Web newspaper, circulate their ideas, and interact with readers through various social media networks and technologies.
Create. Don’t Just Consume.
The Aerobic Newspaper is the outgrowth of two concepts. The first is a theory of metabolism called Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis—NEAT, for short. In 2005, Mayo Clinic scientists found that slow, steady movement is key to maintaining a healthy body weight and healthy blood vessels. By requiring kids to move as they research, reflect and write, the NEAT newspaper teaches kids healthy work habits for what is traditionally sedentary school and office work—thus setting the stage for lifelong cardiovascular health.
The second concept embodied in The Aerobic Newspaper is that kids are incredibly capable and creative producers of Web content. They are not just passive consumers of programs directed at them. As digital natives, young children have agency in the interactive world. They can originate intelligent and engaging digital stories and tell them fluently. They don’t need adults to write, film or record them for them. They just need guidance, some grounding, motivation and the right technology to tell and distribute their stories; they need The Aerobic Newspaper.
The second concept embodied in The Aerobic Newspaper is that kids are incredibly capable and creative producers of Web content. They are not just passive consumers of programs directed at them. As digital natives, young children have agency in the interactive world. They can originate intelligent and engaging digital stories and tell them fluently. They don’t need adults to write, film or record them for them. They just need guidance, some grounding, motivation and the right technology to tell and distribute their stories; they need The Aerobic Newspaper.
