Crunch&Sip in the Classroom

Crunch&Sip program is an easy way to help kids stay healthy and happy!
For teachers new to Crunch&Sip, the logistics of having 30 or more children eating fruit and veg in class can be a little bewildering! But the Crunch&Sip break aims to add to learning, not detract from it.

Here is a guide on how to implement Crunch&Sip in the classroom.

1. Discuss the idea of eating fruit and vegetables and drinking water in the classroom with students. Discussion topics could include the amount of fruit, vegetables and water students currently eat; the importance of fruit, vegetables and water as part of a healthy diet and to help learning; or favourite fruit and vegetables.
2. Set some Crunch&Sip rules. Most children love the idea of being able to eat and drink in the classroom and understand that rules need to be established. Include these rules and norms in your start-of-year classroom behaviour discussions.
3. Ask parents to supply a clean water bottle and put an extra serve of fruit or vegetables in the lunch box every day for Crunch&Sip. Use established communication channels such as parent meetings, newsletters and letters or order free Crunch&Sip printed resources such as posters and brochures.
4. Don't forget to generate excitement in the classroom by encouraging students to bring their fruit or veg and water bottle for Crunch&Sip everyday and model correct behaviours.
5. If students are unable or reluctant to bring fruit and vegetables for Crunch&Sip, try some of these ideas on how to provide access for all students.

The Crunch

The Crunch&Sip break can occur during the morning or afternoon, depending on the needs of students and timetables. Establishing a set time for a break to eat fruit or veg is not intended to interrupt learning. The break does not have to be a 'mini-recess' in the classroom. Some ideas on how to schedule Crunch&Sip into the day include:

• Having the Crunch&Sip break during lesson transition times, for example, as students come into the class from morning fitness, or between literacy and numeracy lessons.
• Using news time, story read alouds or silent reading.
• Your school or class may have a set time for a Crunch&Sip break every day. Some schools allow students 5-10 minutes to use the toilet, stretch and eat their fruit or veg.

We strongly discourage students being allowed to graze on fruit and vegetables throughout the day. Not only can this promote unhealthy snacking habits, but many teachers report that it is more disruptive. Kids may choose inappropriate times to eat their fruit and veg and it can mean that more kids do not participate as it is not seen as compulsory. Other students may eat excessive amounts because they see it as a way of avoiding work.

The Sip

Why should students drink in class?

Water lost each day through breathing, sweating and going to the toilet needs to be replaced and adequate fluid intake is essential to good health. Not drinking enough fluid causes dehydration leading to mental and physical effects such as loss of concentration, headaches and irritability. By the time a person is thirsty they are becoming dehydrated. Children rarely drink enough during break times at school and often forget to drink unless reminded. Some teachers comment that they always let students leave the class to have a drink from a fountain if they ask permission. But children may not think to ask, leading to dehydration, and other students can use 'going for a drink' as an opportunity to 'go for a wander'.

Allowing and reminding students to drink water in class and allowing water bottles in the classroom increases the likelihood that they will drink more and stay hydrated.

Here's some teacher concerns regarding water bottles in the classroom:

CONCERNS & SOLUTIONS

Children will misbehave - Teachers have found that any initial silliness soon vanishes. Involving children from the outset in planning for water bottles in the classroom will encourage ownership and responsibility.

Children will disrupt lessons because of needing to visit the toilet more - Expectations of pupils needing to go to the toilet more frequently are not, in reality, met. For most of us, the bladder soon adjusts to cope with a larger intake. This usually happens within a few weeks. Some schools have found that the number of toilet visits decrease, as children no longer need to ask to go to the toilet as a means of gaining access to a drink.

Bottles will get mixed up and be unhygienic - Bottles should be clearly named with a permanent marker or washable label to avoid owner confusion. Bottles should be re-marked regularly.

Books and work will be spoiled due to spillages - Sports caps minimise spillage and pupils become accustomed to taking care. Bottles could be kept on the floor or in a central position in the classroom.

Children will fiddle with bottles during lessons - Some children may do so but these are children who would otherwise only have fiddled with something/somebody else! These may be kinaesthetic learners who may actually benefit from fiddling with a bottle as they listen! (See following response).

Children will suck on/chew caps - The ones who do this are also the ones who would otherwise suck/chew pencils, pens and fingers! (See previous response). This is best dealt with good humour and other pupils can be encouraged to remind offenders to stop. Reward abstinence!

Frozen bottles will make a mess as they thaw - Bottles can be placed in clear plastic bags to minimize this. Or, better still, provide pupils with chilled water for refilling or changing water as required.

Children may put other drinks in their bottles - Transparent bottles will minimise this risk and regular spot-checks can be made. Involving pupils from the outset and regularly promoting the benefits of and reasons for water will also help avoid this.

Bottles may be unhygienic - Bottles should be washed daily in warm soapy water and left to air dry upside down. Children should be encouraged to wash hands regularly and should be discouraged from sharing bottles.

The cost of water bottles is prohibitive for parents - While some students may purchase a clear bottle with sports top, a clean, used juice bottle will still have the same effect. Adding water bottles to the annual book list and newsletter inserts will remind parents to supply water bottles.

Source: http://www.crunchandsip.com.au