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H.B. Emery Jr. Memorial School in Limington joined millions of children and adults across the country to celebrate T.V. Turnoff Week 2004. In April, students and teachers at H.B.Emery Jr. took a pledge to spend seven screen free days. The children were encouraged to turn off their T.V. and limit all kinds of "screen time." Students were asked to reflect on the amount of time that they watch T.V, as well as to consider why too much "screen time" is unhealthy. The children were also encouraged to think about what else they could be doing instead of watching television.
Children in grades K through 5 participated in a number of different activities throughout the week. Children in grades kindergarten through two enjoyed read alouds about turning off the T.V. and created pictures of screen-free activities. Students in grades 3, 4 , and 5 competed in our T.V. Turnoff Week poster contest. Several classes kept T.V. Turnoff Week journals and brainstormed lists of T.V. free activities. One class even wrote persuasive essays to convince others to turn off the T.V. and turn on life. Grade four students received free books through the R.I.F. (Reading Is Fundamental) program during the week to encourage them to read instead of watching T.V. Games were held after school for all grade levels to encourage physical activity. All students who took the pledge and completed the program received special recognition, an award certificate, and a coupon from Pizza Hut for a free pizza! | |
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T.V. Turnoff Week at H.B.Emery was a huge success. Instead of watching T.V., students read, exercised, and spent more time with family and friends. As one third grade student remarked, "I got a lot of stuff like chores done because I wasn't watching T.V.. I spent more time with my family and we played games." |