April 2013…Educators at Cole Manor Elementary School have developed the first Teacher Resource Manual for Healthy NewsWorks books. The manual describes an array of classroom activities tied to the profiles of Philadelphia-area health leaders in the book series, Leading Healthy Change In Our Communities. The activities focus on reading, writing, health education, and civics. They are aligned with Common Core State Standards.
“The books are a really great resource,” said Cole Manor Principal Nicole Poncheri, who led the teacher manual project. “We are trying to get more nonfiction in the classroom and more about wellness.”
The manual will make it easier for teachers to include the books into their lesson plans, Ms. Poncheri said. Many of the activities also can be used with the school newspapers. A second teacher manual is being prepared for the 2013 Healthy NewsWorks book.
Helping Ms. Poncheri create the first guide were Cole Manor teachers Natalie Shuler, Iris Rolon, and Nicole Harmon. Mrs. Shuler serves as the editor of the Cole ManorHealthy Comet.
The 2013 edition of the Leading Healthy Change book also will include discussion questions and activities that teachers and parents can use to engage children in the 12 Philadelphia-area leaders who are featured in the book.
“We are thrilled that our educators are providing their expertise to deepen the program’s impact,” said Marian Uhlman, Healthy NewsWorks director. “Healthy NewsWorks has grown and evolved during the past 10 years through strong partnerships with teachers and principals. We are so grateful.”
For more information about the Teacher Resource Manual, please contact Marian Uhlman at muhlman@HealthyNewsWorks.org.
