How can my students exercise their minds and bodies?
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"True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are united."~Alexander von Humboldt
According to images of "good teachers" in the media, all their students do in class is sit quietly at desks. But a growing body of research suggests that this classic image of learning actually isn't a very good way to stimulate the mind.
It turns out that our brains actually function better with exercise. Among the benefits scientists have found movement helps the brain to:
- Anchor new information
- Improve memory
- Maintain alertness
- Improve use of oxygen and nutrients
- Increase response time
- Improve creativity
- Reduce stress
- Improve student achievement
In times of tight budgets and a strong emphasis on the "core curriculum" physical education as a stand-alone school activity is becoming increasingly rare. So it's more important than ever to incorporate movement into everything you teach - not just the few minutes kids get on the playground.
If the brain benefits aren't enough to convince you, consider the fact that according to the CDC, the number of overweight or obese children in the United States has tripled since 1980. Obesity leads to myriad health problems and there is a growing body of evidence to suggest it has negative effects on academic performance as well.
If you want to bring more movement into your classroom, you don't have to do it alone. Here are some suggested strategies.
- Enlist the support of your health or PE teacher, the school nurse, and the cafeteria staff to teach children about healthy living.
- Encourage your fellow teachers to make one of the week's homework assignments 30 minutes of exercise. With cold weather on the horizon, kids don't even have to go outside to do this. Teach your students a simple stretching or yoga routine, strength building sit-ups or push-ups, or an energetic dance!
- With your grade level, or subject area team, brainstorm ways to teach upcoming concepts through movement. We've included two Inspired Teaching activities below that can get your creative juices flowing.
- Check out more recommendations from the CDC.
This newsletter is loaded with strategies for incorporating physical activity into your instruction as well as links to the latest research, which may come in handy when your principal walks by and wants to know why everyone is jumping rope...
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Random Walk
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Apply
this movement activity to a review of virtually any terminology, or use
it to have students explore math concepts. Unfortunately Random Walk
really only works in large open spaces, so you may want to make use of
a cafeteria, gym, empty classroom, or playground to explore this
activity.
Click here for a full description of the activity. http://www.inspiredteaching.org/articles.php?id=116
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Dancing Stories
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Whether your students are telling a story they made up, or creating a physical interpretation of mitosis, the Great Migration, or the water cycle - if it has a sequence it can be told through dance.
Click here for a full description of the activity.
http://www.inspiredteaching.org/articles.php?id=117
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Teacher Resources
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Report on Physical Activity in Schools
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/
2008/09/080930135259.htm
This article summarizes the findings of a recent study by teachers and scientists, which recommends that physical activity be integrated across curriculums in schools - not just confined to the playground or gym class.
Brain Gym Exercises
http://esl.about.com/od/englishlessonplans/a/braingym.htm
This page describes a few of the activities created by Brain Gym which combine physical activity to enhance thinking and learning.
More Brain Gym Exercises
Lobes of Steel
This article from the New York Times looks at a scientific study of the relationship between brain function and exercise. The article highlights studies in mice as well as people and finds that exercise actually leads to new brain development - even later in life.
Energizers
http://www.ncpe4me.com/energizers.html
Incredibly detailed pdfs from North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction including physical activities for elementary and middle school that you can integrate into whatever subject you teach.
Movement in the Classroom
http://www.grand-forks.k12.nd.us/education/components/
scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=9567
Ms. Chase, a teacher at Phoenix Elementary School in North Dakota, has put together an easy-to-navigate site with several incredibly helpful links to loads of movement/learning activities.
More Movement, Smarter Kids
http://www.movingandlearning.com/Resources/
Articles21.htm
Rae Pica pulls examples from a variety of research sources to explore the strong relationship between movement and learning in children.
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