The At My Best Storybook Is Now Better Than Ever

Previously published in Volume 86, Issue 2

On My Way!... A Journey of a Star Named Rae 

The At My Best storybook is a staple of the K-3 At My Best programming. This year, PHE Canada has worked closely with designers, animators, narrators, translators, and gender-equity experts in order to produce quality content that is visually and auditorily pleasing. The characters and all of the scenery have been re-designed to be visually pleasing for children. In the live-animation version, whimsical sounds and visuals are appealing to the eye, and the narrator’s voice is used in both the English and French versions.

Highlight #1: The story is created with gender inclusion in mind

Notably, Cosmo the Star, who is Rae’s best friend, is now referred to using gender-neutral language, as they now identify as a non-binary character. This addition to the storybook is very meaningful to PHE Canada, as we strive to be as inclusive and representative of our values in our work. Similarly, gender-neutral language was used in the French version, and French readers who may not yet be familiar with French gender-inclusive language will be able to read up on the terms used in the story in the introductory pages of the book.   

In order to best support different learning environments, we have decided to publish the AMB Storybook in various versions to accommodate different types of learners. We have an online version, an online live-animation version, and a hard-copy print version that is FREE and can be mailed for free to new registrants and also to existing AMB users.

Highlight #2: 6 new learning experiences for each grade level

Join Rae the Star and friends as she navigates through K-3 learning experiences what it means to take a holistic approach to her overall wellness. Students will be guided through each learning experience accompanied throughout by themes that include physical activity, healthy eating, and emotional well-being. Age and stage appropriate, the storyline stays relatively consistent as Rae learns how to be a healthier and happier star.   

Each grade level will have 6 new learning experiences that include a learning focus, teaching considerations, guided learning experience, sample assessment tasks, and external resources for extended exploration. Teachers will be delighted to know that each lesson is created in correspondence to health and physical education curricular outcomes that are specific to their province/territory, and can be found in a separate document on the At My Best website. 

Highlight #3: Curriculum links 

Introducing new learning experiences meant that new curriculum links had to be made. Health and physical education professionals were consulted in the linkage between each provincial and territorial health and physical education curriculum to each individual lesson plan for each grade level. The curriculum links are available in both French and English, they are easy to understand, and are laid out clearly. 

Highlight #4: Play Day Toolkit

The new Play Day Toolkit launched just in time for it to be used this past June. Equipped with a new design, user-friendly play day organizational instructions, and new game and activities, this Toolkit is the perfect resource to use to plan your end-of-the-year celebration for your school’s usage of the At My Best program throughout the year! 

The new games and activities are multicultural, inclusive, and adaptable! Teachers will be able to create a well-rounded play day experience for every student at their school.   

Start the 2020-2021 school year off with the At My Best program!