February is American Heart Month. Your heart is important. It keeps you alive by pumping blood to different parts of your body. Your heart is a muscle. It needs exercise and good nutrition to stay healthy. Daily physical activity helps your heart stay strong. Fruits and vegetables are healthy food choices.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. It typically affects adults, but kids can also be born with a heart condition called congenital heart disease. Sometimes this condition is minor and easily taken care of. Other times this heart condition can be serious and require the help of a doctor.
The American Heart Association created a program called Jump Rope for Heart. Jump Rope for Heart raises money to help people with special hearts. The program started over 40 years ago. This program is a fundraising event that is held once a year in schools across America. Millions of kids participate by jumping all month long. Since 1979, the event has raised over $1.2 billion. The money is used for research and education that will help reduce the risk of heart disease.
What Can You Do? Do you know how to jump rope? Learn how and jump rope with your friends and family.
Reading Response Click on this link to respond to your reading. Print out the response page or upload it to your classroom site.
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