About Clever Crazes for Kids
Clever Crazes for Kids™ (www.clevercrazes.com) is a not-for-profit, TRUSTe certified, child safe website.
MISSION
Clever Crazes for Kids™ (CCK) is an asset for educators, parents and guardians to boost academics, build strong minds, core ethics and healthy bodies for kids and their families.
VISION
Clever Crazes for Kids™ brings to homes, classrooms and After-School Programs across the country, new and exciting ways to engage kids in learning about STEM (how Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are integrated into their everyday lives). All of this is part of the interconnected web of wellness—healthy planet, healthy relationships, and healthy individuals. Strong minds are built on healthy and energetic bodies. Reducing the incidence of childhood obesity will result in children who are better learners in school and who, as adults, will have a lower incidence of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, depression and other diseases that impact the health of our economy and workplaces.
As our team developed the new 3.0 website and the curriculum CCK STEM Expeditions (Lesson Plans), close alignment with state and national standards within the STEM disciplines was the objective. The new national Core Curriculum and individual state standards in mathematics and English were consulted, as well as state standards in science and social studies. We realize that some concepts taught in the classroom vary from state to state. Therefore, we have developed our CCK STEM Expeditions in grade band levels of K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. We believe this is a great resource – along with the website which offers educators the opportunity to customize the difficulty of material for individual students, meeting their immediate needs and growing with them.
Many national associations – if not all have now argued for the importance of the integration of technology, as well as 21st Century Skills such as problem solving and critical thinking into the teaching of core content disciplines. CCK consulted with guidelines of those organizations in the development of content for the website.
Clevercrazes.com™ and STEM
Many people are using the acronym “STEM” when talking about the needs of students to be successful in the 21st Century workplace. CCK, like many organizations, believes that STEM is more than the sum of its parts – meaning it is more than just science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM is the interdisciplinary nature of how kids and adults encounter these disciplines in the real world. Through the CCK website we will introduce kids to STEM careers and engage them in games and lessons that require knowledge of all disciplines and their interaction.
Clever Crazes for Kids 9 academic areas of focus ~ our “Worlds”
a. You and Your Insides
In this world, your students will examine the human body including: skeletal, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, reproductive and nervous systems. Kids will also learn about growth and development taking place through life cycles.
b. You and Outer Space
Your students will explore our solar system, our universe and other galaxies. Some special points of focus are the Sun, Earth, Moon and other objects in the sky.
c. You and Our Home Planet
Here, students will learn about the structure of the Earth, the properties of Earth materials and our weather. In this world, relationships between populations, resources and environments are also explored.
d. You and How Things Work
In this world, students learn about physics, chemistry and associated topics including heat, light, and sound, as well as electricity and magnetism. Your students will also explore the properties and characteristics of matter.
e. You, the Time Traveler
This world includes history and social studies. Students will learn how individual people and cultures of the past have helped shape our world today. Topics of geography, populations and U.S. history will be covered.
f. You and Your Money
This curriculum will have students learn about the concepts of supply and demand through the lens of microeconomics. They will learn how money is earned, spent, saved and donated to help others.
g. You and Biodiversity
Students will learn about the diversity of life on Earth through exploration of living things, their life cycles and the environments which they inhabit. Kids will explore how living and non-living things work together in a healthy ecosystem.
h. You, the Future Voter
This world will teach kids about the U.S. government and how it functions, including the values and principles of democracy, our U.S. Constitution and the meaning of citizenship.
i. You, the Athlete
Students will learn how aerobic activity stimulates brain activity and enhances memory. Kids will be able to identify healthy behaviors such as “getting fit,” “eating smart” and “staying healthy” and “safe.” Topics range from causes of disease and consequences of drug abuse to the physiology of nutrition. In this world, students will also learn about ethics, what bullying is, appropriate social behavior and how to be a friend.
“Step It Up and Kickstart Your Brain”
“Step it up and Kickstart Your Brain” is our physical fitness component, complete with a live-action certified personal trainer, and it’s where kids can compete to win Nike® Gym Shoes everymonth.
According to famed neurosurgeon, John Tew MD, “the newest research shows that as important as exercise is for your body, it’s even more important for your brain. Twenty (20) minutes of aerobic exercise stimulates growth of new synapses, facilitating the grasp of more complex material and adds new nerve cells which support recent memory acquisition.” This component demonstrates 16 specific exercises and allows the student or the teacher to record on the website the number of repetitions the students performed for each. Every student is required to take a Clevercrazes.com ethics pledge before entering the data.
Graduate Degree College Credits & Professional Development
Clever Crazes for KidsTM wants to engage teachers in discourse about how CCK works in your classroom and as a forum for sharing new ideas and strategies for using Clever Crazes. Participation in our virtual learning community has benefits for teachers such as opportunities for graduate credit from the University of Cincinnati or documented certification of contact hours related to professional growth that you can submit to your local professional development council for potential credit.
In order to receive graduate credits from the University of Cincinnati or Professional Development credits from your district, view all of the Chapters in this video, and implement one or more of the CCK STEM Expeditions. Submit a one (1) to two (2) page narrative about student experiences. Describe how students benefitted from these experiences.
Graduate Degree College Credit form
Professional Development Credit form
After you have completed the CCK STEM Expeditions, (or any part of this site) please e-mail your insights, suggestions and other ideas to kclark@clevercrazes.com
School Prizes, After-School Program Prizes, Kids’ Club Prizes
FOR DETAILED INFORMATION PLEASE SEE: OFFICIAL RULES Our website (www.clevercrazes.com) is an outstanding and creative way for kids to be educated and entertained. School competition will allow kids to help their schools win prizes. The prizes will give schools the opportunity to acquire the supplies and equipment that we know they so dearly need. There will be a way for the students to chart physical activity and compete for Nike® Gym Shoes, monthly. Parents/Guardians will be required to give permission for kids to participate on this site. There will be an Ethics Pledge that the kids will sign, as they will be entering data about their healthy changes. The website games and challenges are designed to show the kids how eating the right foods in the right portions and how physical activities such as walking, biking, sports, jumping rope, etc. can make a terrific impact on their physical and mental health. They will also experience how positive feelings about themselves, as well as celebrating the differences and sharing the similarities of their friends, can be totally cool! There are also games about Living Green for which the players can earn points.
OUR PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
We have an Advisory Committee consisting of university professors in elementary and middle-school education, science education, literacy education, elementary teachers, school superintendents, physicians, researchers, medical professors, caregivers, child psychologists, and other professionals who play an active role in helping us achieve our mission. We also have contributing educators in the fields of social studies, engineering education, technology education and curriculum and instruction. Please click here to meet our Advisory Committee.
GAMING ON THE SITE
We, like you, are aware that interactive gaming is the rage with young people. Through our research, we understand the importance of meeting kids on their own terms. The games will tie into our academic principles. This is a quote from our Partner in Education, University of Cincinnati, School of Education, “Recent research points to the multiple benefits of learning with a game, such as the ‘educational games and challenges’ children experience when playing clevercrazes.com. The opportunity to win points toward real prizes and rewards for themselves and their schools provides an extra motivation and promotes social responsibility.”
NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
The facts and games on our website are designed to teach the kids to achieve a balanced healthy diet by eating the right food in the right portions. We also include physical activity as a part of a total healthy lifestyle. On our website you will see lots of fun ways that kids can make a healthy lifestyle an important element in their everyday lives. Research shows that, as important as aerobic activity is for our bodies, it is, according to neurosurgeon, John Tew MD, even more important for our brains. In World, “You the Athlete” you and your kids will find our contest, “Step It Up and Kickstart Your Brain.” Register your kids and, with them, do the exercises, led by certified personal trainer, Kimmie…. See how you can “Kickstart” your brain, too.
Register
SELF ESTEEM AND BULLYING
Across all socio-economic environments, self-esteem and bullying are serious issues. We aim to help young people value themselves and each other through the celebration of differences and shared similarities. If a child has self-confidence and values her/himself, he/she is far more likely to eat right and be physically active on the playground, in the neighborhood and on the sports field. The added benefit is that if they learn to value other kids, not bully or be verbally abusive, all of the kids will be more active. We believe we can make health "COOL!"
LIVING GREEN
Just as kids need to take good care of their bodies and health, they also need to take care of the health of our planet. The earlier kids learn about the importance of protecting the environment by Recycling, Reusing and Rethinking, the more likely they are to develop social responsibility and be good environmentalists throughout their lives. Our fun interactive games teach kids about recycling, making them aware of the many things they see and use every day that can actually be recycled, reused or substituted with better choices. You will create a lifelong positive influence on the young people in your life by sharing your concern and care about our environment, as well as your commitment to "personal sustainability" through healthy eating and physical activities.
WHEN KIDS ENTER THE SITE
When kids enter the site they will be introduced to interactive games. Clevercrazes.com curriculum integrates 9 academic areas of focus that we call “worlds,” for grades K-8. Your young “scholars” will learn STEM content and explore the social sciences.
The games are presented by animated characters designed to resemble young people and communicate in language that resonates well with them. Further, the characters will model behaviors that are essential to healthy physical, mental and emotional development. These games enable the player to learn, play and compete for scores and prizes.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE PRIZES AND CASH REWARDS!
We know that kids (and adults) are motivated by the concept of prizes.
EVERY WEEK
- $500 AWARDED TO ONE SCHOOL WITH THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION
- $500 AWARDED TO ONE CLASSROOM OR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM WITH THE HIGHEST SCORE (playing as a team with one computer)
- $100 AWARDED TO ONE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM BY RANDOM DRAWING
- 36 $10 ITUNES GIFT CARDS AWARDED TO TOP-SCORING KIDS
EVERY MONTH
- 108 PAIRS OF NIKE® GYM SHOES AND 108 PEDOMETERS WITH FLASHLIGHTS AWARDED TO WINNING KIDS IN THE “STEP IT UP AND KICKSTART YOUR BRAIN” CHALLENGE
FOR DETAILED INFORMATION PLEASE SEE: OFFICIAL RULES
We know that schools have suffered budget cutbacks. It was with this in mind that we developed one of our prize principles. This principle encourages kids to play the games with the opportunity to win prizes not only for themselves, but also for their school. This enables the winning children to:
1. understand the experience of contributing to something larger than one's self
2. demonstrate pride in themselves and their school
3. learn the benefit of giving back
PARENTS & TEACHERS
We want you to know that our Clever Crazes for Kids website is secure! We invite you to review our Privacy Policy. When your child or student enters our site, he/she is offered an opportunity to play a variety of educational games. These games, built by experts, espouse our "golden thread" that weaves together our 9 academic areas of focus. Like you, we know that kids are more likely to participate when they can earn a score and the score has the possibility of earnings prizes.
If your child wins an individual prize, (See Official Rules) the adult who registered the child will be notified by e-mail.
Our goal is to encourage participation while teaching your kids or students that, in addition to scoring and winning prizes for themselves, their winnings will become part of the greater good if they win for their school. This reinforces our character lessons while modeling the benefits of community involvement and school-spirit. This is a great way to encourage team-building and sharing. Certainly, the kids will benefit from the knowledge and experience of being part of a mission that contributes to the common good.
If your school is a winner, once the school has been notified of the award, its administration can determine, according to their policies, how to best spend the winnings your kid or student has brought them. Following are some of the ways in which schools have invested their winnings:
Our very SPECIAL THANKS to all of you at “CLEVER CRAZES for KIDS” from Central Middle After School Program in Oroville, CA for helping us with our vision of becoming a Healthy Behavior Learning Center in Northern California. As we know, 7th & 8th graders can be difficult to reach and we think you found the magic formula – integrating STANDARDS Based Academics, including STEM, with Online Technology targeting our mutual mission of helping kids make “HEALTHY CHOICES” & find PERSONAL SUCCESS, all while having FUN and earning AMAZING PRIZES such as Nike Shoes, iTunes Cards and WOW our site WON $500.00. We’re thrilled to allow kids on computers, knowing CCK is a SAFE, interactive site challenging students of ALL ABILITIES to REACH their full potential… We’re hearing comments from teachers & parents that students are more on task, excited about learning and willing to participate. CCK works perfect for stations during rotations, rainy day enrichment, early finisher activities, when short staffed, with subs and best of all… every day friendly competitions. We can’t wait for CCK Version 3.0 and all those new & wonderful worlds to keep our students motivated & smiling…
We Believe in Clever Crazes! Keep up the Great Work, your devoted fans…
Ms. Karen Palmerlee, Site Coordinator & all of us at
Central Middle ASP TEAM Success >>> Together Everyone Achieves More
Butte County Office of Education, Oroville, CA
Clever Crazes offers fun learning experiences for students, including a virtual personal trainer! The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and the CincyAfterSchool Network embraced Clever Crazes as a key afterschool program element with terrific results. Not only do students love the educational challenges, but they get moving afterschool by putting the video physical instruction to work. The Y’s Mt. Airy afterschool site scored cash prizes, which helped keep everyone motivated and excited about Clever Crazes!
Rebecca Kelley, Group Vice President, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
St. Joseph School
“Our school is implementing a wellness program, and Clever Crazes works well with our efforts,” said the principal of St. Joseph School. “In fact, we’ve incorporated the program into our wellness curriculum. The prize money will help us expand our cafeteria to include a salad bar.”
Seven Hills Lotspeich School
“Clever Crazes builds on our wellness mandate and reinforces the lessons we teach every day,” said head of school, Seven Hills Lotspeich School. “We will use our prize money to expand the play areas around the school and encourage more physical activity.”
Sts. Peter and Paul Academy
Sts. Peter and Paul Academy will enhance its “Going Green” program.
Mt. Healthy Preparatory and Fitness Academy
Mt. Healthy Preparatory and Fitness Academy will use the prize money to support ongoing physical education programs.
Woodford Paideia
"Clever Crazes for Kids' mission is great! Whoever came up with the idea of promoting healthy living through computer games really knows how to meet kids where they are and teach them in their comfort zone! Our physical education teacher introduced Woodford to Clever Crazes for Kids and arranged for our students to participate as a fundraiser for the physical education department. The school plans to use the money to support the physical education/health & wellness program at Woodford by purchasing a climbing wall. Thanks, Clever Crazes, for developing such an engaging health & wellness educational program for children. We, at the Woodford Paideia Critical Thinking Academy, support your mission and wish you continued success in your worthwhile endeavor!"
Chase School
"At Chase School, we've been working extremely hard this year to create a positive school culture where students are motivated to do the right thing. Clever Crazes for Kids is a wonderful fit because of its emphasis on character development as a component of good self-esteem. We are thrilled to have received the CCK grant because it will help pay for incentives as a reward for students who contribute to our positive school culture. We think it will be easy to incorporate other areas of CCK emphasis, including fitness and good nutrition, into the incentives that we choose."
South Avondale Elementary School
South Avondale Elementary School will use the money to provide transportation to the Flying Pig Marathon for our participating students. We will use some of the funding to create a biggest loser competition throughout the entire South Avondale building to carry out First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign to curb childhood obesity. We will use the funding to get pedometers and prizes and to bring in speakers about childhood obesity. We will purchase healthy snacks for our participants in our after school activities - Double Dutch, 'Battle of the Tigers Fitness Club' workout classes, dance step classes and etc. We will also purchase track uniforms for the FIRST track team at our school (girls and boys).
Sayler Park Elementary
Sayler Park Elementary will use its winning within three departments to promote health, nutrition, fitness and concern for the environment. The Physical Education Department will purchase new sports and playground equipment. The Art Department will purchase supplies for students to create posters promoting good health habits and nutrition for the cafeteria. The library will purchase books on these topics and software/materials to assist students in accessing this information.
TCP World Academy
With some of the money we won from Clever Crazes, to enhance students' knowledge about living green and taking care of our environment, students will visit the Rumpke Landfill and will participate in a trip to LaBoiteaux Woods Nature Center for a demonstration of recycling in nature. Students will also learn about composting, healthy soil and environmentally friendly gardening at the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati. Since we do not have regular physical education activities in the winter, we are going to take the children skating. During this activity the older children will have a schoolwide, "feet on experience" utilizing the pedometers. Children will be learning about the concept of burning calories to help be more physically fit. I don't know who said it first but "a sound body promotes a sound mind.”
IN THE CASE OF SCHOOLS, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND KIDS’ CLUBS, ALL PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE NON-PROFIT ENTITY. THE AWARD WILL BE MADE PAYABLE TO THE WINNING SCHOOL, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM OR KIDS’ CLUB. SCHOOLS AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS WILL NEED TO FOLLOW THEIR DISTRICT'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING THEIR TREASURER'S DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.
We understand the need for privacy and protection of your children and students. (See Privacy Policy) The Clever Crazes for Kids site, www.clevercrazes.com, is secure and educational and was created with input from our highly esteemed advisory panel of health, education and professional experts. Participants also sign an Ethics Pledge to ensure that they model character-building behavior. This Ethics Pledge is important as kids must enter data about their activities - how many sit-ups, push-ups, etc. that they did.
