What is the benefit of using students on the move in your classroom?

As we know physical activity can be beneficial in many ways.  It can promote strong bones and muscles, increase endurance and flexibility, reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes and relieve stress and anxiety.  Studies show that in the classroom this translates to students who are less fidgety, more focused and can concentrate for longer periods of time.  Movement also increases the amount of oxygen to the brain and therefore enhances the brain’s ability to learn.  This program promotes better learning for all students by getting their minds and bodies work together. 

It is important that students improve their gross motor skills to improve their fine motor skills.  Students’ lifestyles have changed.  The surgeon general says that today’s kids are in the worst shape of any generation. He blames this trend on junk food, tv, and lack of exercise. 

This lack of physical activity impacts the students in many ways.  Several students have decreased ability to focus, have difficulty sitting in their desks, have problems maintaining posture control, have poor motor planning, poor visual tracking and poor listening skills 

Goal of Students on the Move

The idea is to incorporate movement activities in the core curriculum.  The movement activities are to enhance the learning taking place and not replace valuable learning time.  Also, the students take ownership of the program.  Once the students are taught the expectations and procedures for the activities and for using the equipment, they are in charge.  This teaches them responsibility and gives the student a sense of pride. This program will look differently in each classroom since each class has different needs.

If you would like assistance with using movement in your classroom we would be happy to assist you. You can contact us by email or visit with us. There are several teachers at all the grade levels that are using a variety of activities in their classes and they too are willing to share their ideas. 

Laurie Dahle is in all of the elementary schools.  Here is her schedule if you have any questions or need ideas for your classroom:

Monday

 Edgar road 11:00- 12:00

 Clark School  12:15- 2:30

Tuesday

Ambrose family center preschool all day/  Bristol 2:00-2:30

Thursday  

 Computer School 7:00-8:45

 Bristol 9:00- 12:30

 Avery 12:45-2:30

Friday 

 Hudson  10:45- 12:00

 Avery   12:15 - 1:30

 Clark    1:45-2:30

You can contact us by email  Ann Cook  Cook.Ann@wgmail.org  or Dahle.Laurie@wgmail.org