By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers TUNING OUT-Sequoia Middle School eighth-grade students (left to right) Alicia Weber, 13, Sami Janda and Gustavo Reynoso, 15, demonstrate "tune-out" methods they will use during a program created by history teacher Cheryl Hodge. It helps youngsters learn to live without TV or other devices.

Cheryl Hodge had a bold idea. About three years ago, after hearing about a national movement where students give up TV for a week, the eighth-grade history teacher decided to challenge her students with the concept.

She said the students found the project difficult in the beginning but by Friday they’d discovered a whole world existed outside of electronics.

"Ever since then, I wanted to do something schoolwide," said the 25-year teaching veteran. "There are many other things to do besides crashing on the sofa and watching the tube."

Hodge got her wish. Starting on April 25, Sequoia Middle School will hold "Tune It Out" week. The project is voluntary, and students will be asked to participate on three levels:

•Cool: No TV. Worth 1 point per day.

•Colder: No TV, DVDs, rented movies or video games, including those played on a cell phone. Students get 2 points per day.

•Frozen: For 3 points a day, students must observe all of the above in addition to refraining from sending instant messages (IM) or using the computer, except for homework purposes.

After the week is over, the points will be tallied up and prizes given out. The class with the most number of participants, the one with the most points and the one with the highest percentage of participants will win pizza and ice cream parties. At press time, prizes were still being decided, but Hodge said the school may also give every participant an individual prize.

The project, Hodge said, besides getting students to discover alternate activities, such as reading, taking up a hobby, playing games and taking walks with their family, will promote thought and writing skills. She wants students to jot down what they anticipate next week might hold for them sans the distraction devices and, when it’s over, write down and compare what the experience actually was like.

"They’re more creative than they think they are," Hodge said.

Principal Vivian Vina said she hopes students will learn how refreshing it is to spend time with their families.

"Take time to enjoy each other on a personal level," she said, because "things are so rushed these days."

The school and students are being very supportive of the project. Student government has made posters to place around the campus. During this week, the journalism class will announce the project on the school’s closed circuit TV broadcast, and the digital marquee in front of the school will post a daily countdown to Monday. Even school staff and faculty are being invited to participate.

Hodge said families also should get involved. "I think anytime that we incorporate the family in what we’re doing here at school it turns out to be a positive experience for both the school and the family."

Hannah Freund doubts her family will give up TV for the entire week, so she’s making plans now for success. When the TV at home comes on, the 14-year-old said she’ll pick up a book to read, practice the guitar, write songs or spend time exercising.

"I’ll have to trust myself," said the honor student.

Hannah doesn’t think TV will offer much of a temptation for her, but it’s not being able to send an IM to friends and family that sends a cold chill down her spine. She won’t even attempt to give that up for the entire week—maybe just a day or two, she said.