The 'Action For Life' for Primary Schools Health Related Physical Activity programme is a resource for primary school teachers of all classes (Junior Infants - Sixth Class). The programme was developed by a team of health promotion and exercise specialists, primary school teachers, physical education and primary school inspectors and funded by the Department of Health and Children, the Irish Heart Foundation and Department of Education and is available in English and Irish.

It provides a valuable, practical and easy to use educational resource package to assist teachers in planning and teaching part of the physical education (PE) curriculum in primary schools. It is recommended as a resource for Social, Personal & Health Education.

The resource package includes easy to use lesson plans for four different age groups (junior & senior; 1st & 2nd; 3rd & 4th and 5th & 6th classes), a poster and teacher's notes. These materials will provide a valuable educational resource for teachers and give pupils the opportunities to enjoy and participate in meaningful physical activity.

Teacher Training
The teacher training provided for Action for Life includes an outline of the benefits of physical activity, an overview of the Action For Life teaching materials with an introduction and demonstration of a specific lesson. Each teacher attending training receives a full set of manuals plus poster for warm up and cool down and bean bags for use in the classroom.

In addition Action for Everybody is a resource designed to complement the Action for Life Primary School Manuals. This resource shows teachers how to adapt the Action for Life lesson plans to promote inclusion of children with all levels of ability.

Each Action for Life manual for the different age groups outlines the benefits of physical activity and the programme objectives and teaching strategies. The manual then sets out 10 lesson plans for 40 minutes each lesson, with clear learning objectives and includes a warm up and cool down session with a main activity. Items of equipment and music required are also indicated.

Where, when and what cost?
Teacher training can take place in a school setting catering for one school. Training lasts for 3-4 hours and is provided by an experienced Action for Life instructor. Manuals and beanbags are provided free of charge from the Irish Heart Foundation, the school provides the venue and there is a nominal charge of €150 to help cover the tutors fees and travel expenses.

For further information, or to arrange an Action for Life workshop in your school, please email Eimear Flannery