Creating an Active Classroom!

Strategies for Implementing Physical Activities into the Classroom!

Chera Sevcik, MS SHIP Supervisor Cottonwood, Jackson, Faribault, Martin & Watonwan Counties

Why should we move kids in the academic classroom?

Research Says
Incorporating physical activity throughout the school day is an effective way to build upon physical education class time Provides an outlet for students who spend most of their day sitting. Provides youth with additional active minutes during the school day as well as the related fitness and academic benefits. Children need breaks for learning to be effective. Regular break for physical activity improves learning because it gives students time to make sense of information.

Research Says
Adding physical activity during the day in 5-10 minute increments was effective for increasing daily in-school physical activity and improving on-task behavior during academic instruction (Mahar et al., 2006).
A 12-week research project conducted in North Carolina in 2006 evaluated the effects of providing elementary-school students with a daily 10-minute activity break. Among 243 students in kindergarten through grade 4, a break without physical activity decreased on-task behavior, but a daily physical activity break increased on-task behavior significantly- by an average of 8 percent. Among the least on-task students, activity breaks improved on-task behavior by 20 percent (Mahar et al., 2006)

Mahar, M., Murphy, S., Rowe, D., Golden, J., Shields, T., Raedeke, T., (2006). Effects of a classroom-based program on physical activity and on-task behavior. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 38 (2): 208694.

NASPE Guidelines for Physical Activity

Guideline 1. Children should accumulate at least 60 minutes of age-appropriate moderate to vigorous physical activity on all, or most days of the week. Guideline 2. Children should participate in several bouts of physical activity lasting 15 minutes or more each day. Guideline 3. Children should participate each day in a variety of age-appropriate physical activities designed to achieve optimal health, wellness, fitness, and performance benefits. Guideline 4. Extended periods (periods of two hours or more) of inactivity are discouraged for children, especially during the daytime hours.

PA in the Classroom Helps Meet Guidelines for Physical Activity

Scheduling at least two 10 minute physical activity breaks led by the classroom teachers outside of PE or recess helps meet daily guidelines for physical activity.

How Can I POSSIBLY Be Asked to Do MORE!

Teachers already have a huge job!!
Not promoting an add-on curriculum Benefits of PA to academics and test scores!

Tips for TeachersMotivating Movement!

Participate in fitness alarms. For example, ring the bell at 10 am and 2 pm and have all staff and students participate in physical activity. Incorporate brief physical activity breaks, one to two minutes, into each class period. Have students take turns leading various movement activities.
http://healthiergeneration.org/default.aspx

Tips for Teachers/Schools Contd

Integrate movement within core academic lessons, tying physical activity to learner objectives.
Provide brain break opportunities, which involve some type of movement or allow students to be creative. For example, have younger students practice spelling or vocabulary words while walking around the room, or play Simon Says or a game of charades based on a topic the class is studying.

Tips for Teachers/Schools Contd

Implement physical activity during the homeroom or advisory period in middle and high schools.
Utilize a video/DVD exercise library for classroom use. Include physical activity opportunities during the school news or morning announcements. Incorporate walk and talk breaks take your class out for a walk and have students discuss what they have learned during the class period.

Model enthusiasm for physical activity by participating in breaks with students and in school employee wellness opportunities.

Tips for Teachers/Schools Contd

Start slowly and have patience. Be persistent about encouraging movement in class.
Ask for student input on what they would like to do for physical activity breaks. Ask students to lead classroom physical activity breaks. Use appropriate music that appeals to teens to encourage movement. Create a voluntary physical activity program during lunch periods that could include Dance, Dance Revolution, Wii

Fit, yoga, Pilates, Taebo or exercise videos/DVDs.

Integrate movement into your class content.

Whats Happening Locally?

Blue Earth Area Schools Yoga in the Classroom
Yoga Pose of the day! Use when students get restless Utilize Student VIP to demonstrate/lead pose on Friday

Resources for teachers!

http://shipfmw.blogspot.com/p/resources-for-schools.html

Resource Highlights:
5 Minute Physical Activities Booklet for Elementary Students Booklet
Learning Zone Xpress- $30.00 Fun and entertaining, 5 Minute Physical Activities for Elementary Students is a collection of brain break physical activities for the classroom, gym or playground that gets kids up and moving, refocused and excited to learn. 5 Minute Physical Activities for Elementary Students features 50 fun physical activities and games collected from classroom teachers and health professionals. Includes a variety of fun activities that incorporate: Rhymes and songs Team building Dances Guided imagery Equipment-free activities

Resource Highlights
JAM! Free Resource for Schools!
JAMmin Minute: A one-minute fitness routine that includes 5 very simple exercises that kids (and staff) can do while either standing at their desk or sitting in a chair. Included on this weekly communication is a health tip, something simple that teaches a healthier habit. These routines are authored by us and we invite schools to submit routines to us! JAM Blast: Athlete-delivered healthy living and eating messages with a coordinating 3-5 minute exercise routine that focuses on that athletes idea about what is most important for peak performance. Fun facts about each athlete are included. Monthly Newsletter: A one-page health newsletter packed full of nutrition, fitness and health tips designed for school-age kids and their parents, and school personnel.

JAM
Each week of the school year, teachers and administrators receive an e-communication. This communication will include:
a link to our private JAM Library webpage that houses JAM routines monthly newsletters JAM Good Ideas & JAM Good News success stories from schools highlights of school-authored routines links to kids doing the JAM routines
http://www.jamschoolprogram.com/

Resource Highlights
ABC Fitness- Activity Bursts for the Classroom! Free!
Guide that includes:
Planning for activity bursts in the classroom Basic activity bursts Advanced activity bursts Subject matter
Language arts Social Studies Music Math Science Health

http://davidkatzmd.com/abcforfitness.aspx

Take 10
TAKE 10! was designed to integrate grade-specific academic learning objectives with age-appropriate physical activity. The program:
enables teachers to reinforce classroom concepts using alternative teaching methods; enhances math and reading skills, particularly in children who arent adapting well to the school environment1; links physical activity with core classroom concepts in language arts, science, mathematics, social studies, and character education; allows students to be active within the space limitations of a standard-size classroom; requires no special equipment or tools; and includes visually appealing program materials for both teachers and students.

To see how TAKE 10! integrates learning objectives and activity, click here to download a sample Table of Contents
http://www.take10.net/

Active Academics
Pre-K-5

The Active Academics website has been developed to provide practical ideas to classroom teachers for integrating physical activity throughout the school day. Lesson ideas are short "10 minute or less" activities that get students moving while practicing content standards in a variety of subject areas.
Active Academics currently provides activities for K-5 classrooms in math, reading/language arts, health/nutrition, and physical education. Teachers can also choose "classroom energizers" that will provide simple ideas just for giving students a "moving break" from classroom activities. http://www.activeacademics.org/

Brain Breaks
Physical Activity Idea Book for Elementary Classroom Teachers developed in Michigan
http://www.emc.cmich.edu/brainbreaks/

Brain Breaks for the Classroom

Scholastic book for around $10.00
Features over 40 Quick and Easy Breathing and Movement Activities That Help Students Reenergize, Refocus, and Boost Brain Power- Anytime of the Day!

http://shop.scholastic.com/w ebapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Pro ductDisplay_68450_1_10001_10002

Other Ideas to Consider

Classroom or School Fundraisers focused on Health Take the Walk for a Cure example and adapt to school fundraisers!
Ex. Pledge a mile or lap!

Use physical activities instead of food for incentives, birthday and classroom celebrations!

THANK YOU!!
Please share this webinar with others who might be interested!
Have questions? Contact mechera.sevcik@fmchs.com

Dont forget to check out the SHIP Blog frequently!

shipfmw.blogspot.com!