Along with engaging students in activities such as gallery walks or collaborative circles, I have learned of other ways to bring health and wellness into the classroom. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminds us that classroom-based physical activity is linked to positive indicators of cognitive skills, academic behavior, and overall academic achievement. The center conducted several new studies which explored how short physical activity breaks (5-20 minutes) can impact academic achievement and student motivation. The findings of these studies has helped me to reflect on ways to incorporate physical movement into our daily lessons:
Researching diseases and sicknesses- Having students research diseases and/or sicknesses of family members, friends, neighbors, etc. is one way to bring health and wellness into the classroom. Students can choose who or what disease they will focus on and identify a end goal/project. Students will be able to demonstrate what they have learned by building a powerpoint presentation and presenting to community members or family members/friends in order to plan a healthy meal plan, create and plan exercise groups, or create a walking schedule with elderly or disabled community members!
The Walking Classroom- The Walking Classroom Institute explains that if we want students to succeed, we must teach them how to take care of their bodies and encourage them to do so! Physical activity in the classroom not only helps kids stay healthy and strong, but it can also contribute to higher test scores, improved attendance, better behavior in class, enhanced leadership skills, and a life time of healthy habits. This institute explains how they help to get students moving by giving them a "walk kit". These kits consists of an audio device preloaded with over 100 custom-written, entertaining, and educational podcasts for all content. Students go for a brisk 20-minute walk while listening to podcasts that each begin with a brief health message. Afterwards, lesson plans and quizzes help educators lead discussions to synthesize and solidify learning! I love this idea because having students engage in a "walking math" or "walking language" lesson through the use of podcasts is a fun way I plan to incorporate health and wellness into our daily content areas!
- Having students physically act-out a story that is being told.
- Play a game of charades to help understand animal behaviors/ adaptations
- Learning about and growing a school garden
- Teaching students to self-advocate and allowing them to stretch, stand, or walk around the classroom when necessary
- Water Winner is an on-going game where students are competing to see who can finish their water bottle by the end of the day
Researching diseases and sicknesses- Having students research diseases and/or sicknesses of family members, friends, neighbors, etc. is one way to bring health and wellness into the classroom. Students can choose who or what disease they will focus on and identify a end goal/project. Students will be able to demonstrate what they have learned by building a powerpoint presentation and presenting to community members or family members/friends in order to plan a healthy meal plan, create and plan exercise groups, or create a walking schedule with elderly or disabled community members!
The Walking Classroom- The Walking Classroom Institute explains that if we want students to succeed, we must teach them how to take care of their bodies and encourage them to do so! Physical activity in the classroom not only helps kids stay healthy and strong, but it can also contribute to higher test scores, improved attendance, better behavior in class, enhanced leadership skills, and a life time of healthy habits. This institute explains how they help to get students moving by giving them a "walk kit". These kits consists of an audio device preloaded with over 100 custom-written, entertaining, and educational podcasts for all content. Students go for a brisk 20-minute walk while listening to podcasts that each begin with a brief health message. Afterwards, lesson plans and quizzes help educators lead discussions to synthesize and solidify learning! I love this idea because having students engage in a "walking math" or "walking language" lesson through the use of podcasts is a fun way I plan to incorporate health and wellness into our daily content areas!
