Rivers Edge Elementary Fitness Teacher Authors Book to Help “Uncouch” Kids

As an athlete and physical education teacher at Rivers Edge Elementary School, Rhett Rutman started to realize there weren’t many books that promoted exercise within the classroom, so with an R.E.B. Award grant he won in 2009, Rhett and his wife, Meredyth, created a children’s book about two subjects close to their heart–exercise and children.

January 10, 2012; 1:57 PM • by Trevor Dickerson

As an athlete and physical education teacher at Rivers Edge Elementary School, Rhett Rutman started to realize there weren’t many books that promoted exercise within the classroom, so with an R.E.B. Award grant he won in 2009, Rhett and his wife, Meredyth, created a children’s book about two subjects close to their heart–exercise and children.

“It was something we always wanted to do,” said Rhett. “It was just a matter of how we wanted to do it.”

The Couch Potato Classroom begins with a teacher, Mrs. Goodall, who wakes up and realizes that after years of perpetual bad habits, she is a couch potato. Unhappy with herself, she walks into her classroom only to find that her students are exhibiting the same behaviors that got her where she is now.

Throughout the book the teacher and her students learn exciting ways to “uncouch” themselves with simple, fun exercises that everyone can participate in. The book strives to present an important message for children while still being cute and relatable.

Though targeted at younger students, it shows kids of all ages, not to mention teachers and parents, how easy and fun it is to begin an active lifestyle.

 ”A lot of kids are not as inclined to go out and exercise,” said Meredyth. “This is a fun way to get kids up and moving.” Being a mother and a first-grade teacher at Greenwood Elementary School, Meredyth knows first hand the positive effects of promoting physical fitness in the classroom. Observing that children are less likely to misbehave and are more likely to pay attention when given a break to exercise, Rhett and Meredyth also strive to show teachers it is possible to engage their students.

Rhett’s fourth-grade teacher, Jill Wiebe-King, who coincidentally helped Rhett to realize his passion for sports and athleticism, is the book’s illustrator.

“Jill was very fitness focused when she taught me, which made her illustrating the book a little more personal,” Rhett said.

At a pinnacle point in the book, Mrs. Goodall says, “We all have to remember that it’s just as important to exercise our bodies as it is to exercise our minds!”

So whether it’s a daily bonding experience between a parent and child, or an afternoon too cold for recess, The Couch Potato Classroom is a book sure to provide interactive fitness fun for growing children.

January 10, 2012 1:57 PM 0