NILES — Exercise does not have to be a daily grind of pumping iron at the gym or running monotonous laps around the track.

This week, Brandywine students in kindergarten through sixth grade will have the opportunity to learn exercises that can be fun ­— and even educational. 

Through the efforts of Donna Lee, the physical education and health teacher, students will have the chance to participate in a Jump with Jill Nutrition Assembly Wednesday. The hour-long exercise and nutrition program will take place at 9 a.m. at Brandywine Elementary and at 2 p.m. at Merritt Elementary.

Known as “the country’s only rock and roll assembly,” students will get their exercise in by dancing and singing, as a representative leads youth in the activity. The program’s premise, is to get children excited about exercise and empower them to make healthy choices.

Lee said she liked that the program also teaches children about nutrition through the performance of educational raps, like “The Bone Rap,” where youth learn about how milk helps to build strong bones with calcium and protein. Other songs build on the message to pick healthy foods over junk foods like candy and chips, such as, “Eat Superpower Vegetables.”

“It is really cool and upbeat, and it is just a fun way to learn about the best ways to be healthy,” Lee said. “I hope it reinforces what they have learned in class.”

The lesson will also build on efforts to teach children to try and be active for at least 60 minutes a day.

Lee said she first heard about the program during a physical education conference in Lansing last October.

The program costs about $2,500 to organize, but Lee found out that the fee is waived  if the school signs up for the Play60 program, which aims to teach youth about the importance of being active. By signing up, Lee will include some of the organization’s lessons about being active into her teaching plans.

As a health teacher, Lee said she also liked that the Jump with Jill program can build on the lessons taught in class.

“I hope it teaches them to make healthy choices for snacks, and they will know the difference between nutritious foods versus those you should eat in moderation,” Lee said. “We also want to reinforce how important activity is. This just gives them another push to get out there and exercise 60 minutes a day.”

On Monday, Lee received a package of posters to advertise the upcoming program. She said many students expressed excitement about participating. Fellow teachers also seemed excited, she said.

“They were like ‘way to go, Donna!’” she said.

To learn more, visit jumpwithjill.com.