Having troubling getting students to sit still and pay attention? Do you constantly have to refocus students to your lesson? Brain Group Fitness is a strategy for you! As we learn more about the long-term results of medication for ADHD and ADD children, continue to watch the rise in childhood obesity, and development of a more sedentary lifestyle in the technology age, teachers experience the direct effects of all of these components in the classroom in the form of behavior and achievement. Many studies point to the benefits of movement and exercise in learning environments. “These findings indicate that single bouts of moderately intense aerobic exercise may have positive implications for aspects of neurocognitive function and inhibitory control in children with ADHD.” (Pontifex, 2005) Movement is a great way to increase engagement thus increasing achievement for your learners.
The Brain Group Fitness strategy gives students the opportunity to be up and moving. Some like to call it a brain break but it actually keeps the brain engaged while the body is moving. (Margolis, 2015) On occasion our administration follows one student all day to grasp the complexity of their schedule, rigor within the teaching, and the overall effects of learning in an average students day. Many times they report back that more movement and collaboration needs to be a structure in the lesson plan everyday. When I am creating a new lesson or presenting new content, I often ask myself, “Would I want to sit through this lesson?” I fidget and shift in my seat when I am disengaged and that usually happens after about 20 minutes of lecture. If I cannot sit through my own lecture, I should not be subjecting my students to that torture either. I see my colleagues on social media writing grants to outfit their classrooms with, what was traditionally, exercise equipment. We are seeing more and more school specific devices being created to keep students moving while learning, from yoga balls for seating, to bicycle desks. More classrooms are being outfitted to accommodate the active student. The great thing about this learning strategy is it does not require expensive equipment and little prep time. The part of this strategy I appreciate the most, it allows my students to get pimped (middle school lingo) and act out in a positive and constructive manner. Adding a technology component to this strategy allows students an opportunity to create and collaborate. I have never had a student opt out, especially when technology is integrated into the activity. It offers all learning types and personalities an outlet. The technology component gives the group’s time to synthesis their learning; collaborate on answers and creativity elements. Thanks to Google slides, everyone in the groups has the ability to make their mark on the study guide slides. Having a technology element allows them to creatively display that positive behavior. I believe more engagement through exercise or movement opens doors to creative, beautiful, quality work from students. It is like a ladder with each rung building to the next level. Good engagement lays a strong foundation for synthesis of learning that supports student’s ability to produce original work. Without each rung, the gaps make it difficult to reach the next level of students owning their learning. MargolisMargolis, A. (2015, January 19). Letting kids move in class isn’t a break from learning. It IS learning. The Answer Sheet Blog. Retrieved October 7, 2016, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/01/19/letting-kids-move-in-class-isnt-a-break-from-learning-it-is-learning/ Pontifex, M. B., PhD. (2013, March). Exercise Improves Behavioral, Neurocognitive, and Scholastic Performance in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The Journal of Pediatrics, 162(3), 543-551. Retrieved from http://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(12)00994-8/abstract
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Amy DentInstructional Coach, tech geek, news junkie, and passionate about learning. ArchivesCategories |