ReCharge! Training Center | Train-the-Trainer Tools


		The ultimate goal of the Tracker is to have all students tracking and celebrating their healthy nutrition and physical activity choices. Since the age, ability level and knowledge of the students in each after-school program will be different, the Tracker may be implemented differently from program to program. The following is a list of questions and answers that can help you easily and effectively implement the Tracker in your after-school program. Click on a question below to be directed to the answer. When should my students begin using the Tracker? What are some ideas for introducing the Tracker to my students? What materials should be distributed to my students? How will I know which Tracker to give to my students? What if my students aren't with me every day? For how long should my students track themselves? What are some ideas for motivating my students as they complete the Tracker? How can I get my students' families involved? When should my students begin using the Tracker? Students should have a basic knowledge of the "Energy In" and "Energy Out" concepts before they begin using the Tracker. There are three Trackers, each designed to correspond to varying student skill levels: see Evaluation Tools: The "Energy In-Energy Out" Tracker for a description of each. What are some ideas for introducing the Tracker to my students? Students in your program may not be familiar with what it means to track something. Choose from these suggestions for introducing the Tracker: Draw on previous knowledge by having students share similar charts that they've filled out — at school or at home. Carefully review the sample Rookie Tracker as a group. Complete the first day's tracking information together. Once students begin to track on their own, it's a good idea to integrate the Tracker as much as possible into group discussions. For example, start each day by talking about students' progress or challenges, or by having students congratulate each other on the progress they've made. What materials should be distributed to my students? The following PDFs are included in this section for downloading: Sample Rookie Tracker (PDF) Blank Tracker forms, three versions — Rookie (PDF), Veteran (PDF) and All-Pro (PDF) Tips for Tracking "Energy In" (PDF) Tips for Tracking "Energy Out" (PDF) How will I know which Tracker to give to my students? Three "Energy In" Trackers have been developed to help you customize the "Energy In" goals that match your students' age, ability level or knowledge of concepts. Use the guide below to help you determine which Tracker to use. You can substitute one Tracker for another as students' ability or knowledge increases. What is most important is that students begin to identify and make healthy choices about their "Energy In." Rookie Tracker: Introduce at the end of Activity 8, Module 1 Veteran Tracker: Introduce at the end of Activity 17, Module 2 All-Pro Tracker: Introduce at the end of Activity 22, Module 3 What if my students aren't with me every day? The Tracker is designed for students to complete in class or at home, and you have the option of allowing students to keep the Tracker with them at all times or collecting them at the end of each day. If you are comfortable having your students keep the Tracker, it can easily become a part of their Student Playbook, and they can complete it in class or at home. However, if you prefer to collect the Trackers, students can complete them on the days they participate in your program. For how long should my students track themselves? Students should track for a minimum of one week and, ideally, up to six weeks, as recommended by the Active Lifestyle Award Program of the President's Challenge. You can customize the length of time depending on your students' ability level, or take breaks between the tracking periods if that suits your individual program. What are some ideas for motivating my students as they complete the Tracker? One of the best ways to motivate students to track their healthy nutrition and physical activity choices is for them to see you completing your very own Tracker! When students see you implementing the Tracker, they likely will want to follow your lead. You can also motivate students throughout ReCharge! by having individual students share their successes, pairing students to help and motivate each other, offering small rewards for students who show progress, and having students celebrate their successes at the end of each week. Don't forget that the President's Challenge offers an award program for those students who complete the Active Lifestyle Award Program for six weeks. See their site for more information about how to submit your students' Trackers electronically to be eligible for awards, or call 1-800-258-8146. How can I get my students' families involved? Parents can also be involved in the tracking process, either as participants or as "coaches." Home Field Advantage includes newsletters that introduce the Tracker and the President's Challenge to parents. Parents can review or sign their child's Tracker periodically to ensure that they are aware and supportive of their child's efforts. The President's Challenge is open to everyone so parents can actually participate along with their child, or in a group, if they choose. You also can promote the Tracker during your ReCharge! Field Day. Display samples of students' completed Trackers and provide blank tracking forms for family members to take home and use themselves.

The ultimate goal of the Tracker is to have all students tracking and celebrating their healthy nutrition and physical activity choices. Since the age, ability level and knowledge of the students in each after-school program will be different, the Tracker may be implemented differently from program to program. The following is a list of questions and answers that can help you easily and effectively implement the Tracker in your after-school program.

Click on a question below to be directed to the answer.

When should my students begin using the Tracker?
What are some ideas for introducing the Tracker to my students?
What materials should be distributed to my students?
How will I know which Tracker to give to my students?
What if my students aren't with me every day?
For how long should my students track themselves?
What are some ideas for motivating my students as they complete the Tracker?
How can I get my students' families involved?

When should my students begin using the Tracker?

Students should have a basic knowledge of the "Energy In" and "Energy Out" concepts before they begin using the Tracker. There are three Trackers, each designed to correspond to varying student skill levels: see Evaluation Tools: The "Energy In-Energy Out" Tracker for a description of each.

What are some ideas for introducing the Tracker to my students?

Students in your program may not be familiar with what it means to track something. Choose from these suggestions for introducing the Tracker:

Draw on previous knowledge by having students share similar charts that they've filled out — at school or at home.
Carefully review the sample Rookie Tracker as a group.
Complete the first day's tracking information together.

Once students begin to track on their own, it's a good idea to integrate the Tracker as much as possible into group discussions. For example, start each day by talking about students' progress or challenges, or by having students congratulate each other on the progress they've made.

What materials should be distributed to my students?

The following PDFs are included in this section for downloading:

Sample Rookie Tracker (PDF)
Blank Tracker forms, three versions — Rookie (PDF), Veteran (PDF) and All-Pro (PDF)
Tips for Tracking "Energy In" (PDF)
Tips for Tracking "Energy Out" (PDF)

How will I know which Tracker to give to my students?

Three "Energy In" Trackers have been developed to help you customize the "Energy In" goals that match your students' age, ability level or knowledge of concepts. Use the guide below to help you determine which Tracker to use. You can substitute one Tracker for another as students' ability or knowledge increases. What is most important is that students begin to identify and make healthy choices about their "Energy In."

Rookie Tracker: Introduce at the end of Activity 8, Module 1
Veteran Tracker: Introduce at the end of Activity 17, Module 2
All-Pro Tracker: Introduce at the end of Activity 22, Module 3

What if my students aren't with me every day?

The Tracker is designed for students to complete in class or at home, and you have the option of allowing students to keep the Tracker with them at all times or collecting them at the end of each day. If you are comfortable having your students keep the Tracker, it can easily become a part of their Student Playbook, and they can complete it in class or at home. However, if you prefer to collect the Trackers, students can complete them on the days they participate in your program.

For how long should my students track themselves?

Students should track for a minimum of one week and, ideally, up to six weeks, as recommended by the Active Lifestyle Award Program of the President's Challenge. You can customize the length of time depending on your students' ability level, or take breaks between the tracking periods if that suits your individual program.

What are some ideas for motivating my students as they complete the Tracker?

One of the best ways to motivate students to track their healthy nutrition and physical activity choices is for them to see you completing your very own Tracker! When students see you implementing the Tracker, they likely will want to follow your lead.

You can also motivate students throughout ReCharge! by having individual students share their successes, pairing students to help and motivate each other, offering small rewards for students who show progress, and having students celebrate their successes at the end of each week.

Don't forget that the President's Challenge offers an award program for those students who complete the Active Lifestyle Award Program for six weeks. See their site for more information about how to submit your students' Trackers electronically to be eligible for awards, or call 1-800-258-8146.

How can I get my students' families involved?

Parents can also be involved in the tracking process, either as participants or as "coaches." Home Field Advantage includes newsletters that introduce the Tracker and the President's Challenge to parents. Parents can review or sign their child's Tracker periodically to ensure that they are aware and supportive of their child's efforts. The President's Challenge is open to everyone so parents can actually participate along with their child, or in a group, if they choose. You also can promote the Tracker during your ReCharge! Field Day. Display samples of students' completed Trackers and provide blank tracking forms for family members to take home and use themselves.