Kids are on the move! Or at least need to be!
Kids are on the move! Or at least need to be!
We’ve all seen the fidgeting students who have been sitting in their seats all class, or we hear the students who are calling out or chatting with their friends, or been faced with the bored stares of kids slouched in their chairs. We’ve all been there.
Studies show that our brain doesn’t just turn off when we take breaks. Instead, it is still highly active, “consolidating memories, reflecting on past experiences and planning for the future.” Breaks are not a time for our students to switch their brains off. Instead it is a time for them to process what they have learned and experienced, without having to start thinking about the next thing at the same time. In other words, giving students a brain break after teaching a lesson gives them time to process it before having to move on to the next thing.
“But wait! I don’t have enough time to get through my curriculum, let alone give my kids a movement break. Now I’m not saying a movement in your classroom needs to be a break, although sometimes that’s just what kids need. But just incorporating movement into your lessons can make a big difference in your students' attention and concentration. Small things like allowing students to stand around the room when discussing in groups or having them answer agree/disagree questions while moving from one side of the room to the other. Some other ways you can incorporate movement are doing gallery walks or simple things like asking students to get up and get their own materials or to drop their papers off at your desk.
Here are some links that you can explore to find out more about the benefits of movement and different ways to include movement into your classroom:
National Council of Special Education - movement breaks
Cult of Pedagogy - different ways to incorporate movement into lessons
In a world where society is becoming more and more stagnate, just creating little moments for students to move can help a great deal with their concentration and overall classroom performance.
In my school we have switched to 90minute periods this year and I couldn't see a better opportunity to have movement breaks than now! It is a high school, and students probably need less time for movement breaks than younger kids, however it is important for them. I often forget about this, instead just giving them a mental break, but not giving them opportunities to get up and move around. It makes sense that movement improves learning. I often think about toddlers and how they are so busy, walking talking, and moving around and how much learning actually takes place during this period. There is definitely something to be said about that.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an important topic that I think teachers should think about more when creating lesson plans. Even if it seems like there is not time to incorporate breaks, there are opportunities to allow for movement during lessons. Recently I have seen videos of "Whole Brain Teaching" where you put movements to your teaching. For example, if you are teaching vocabulary in any subject, you may put movements for the different words and definitions that the students can repeat and say back to you and each other. Not only is this a way to incorporate movement, but it also helps to keep students engaged for a longer period of time. Here is an example during a lesson on perimeter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzUKAsjpuzA
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect topic to touch on and I agree with all of it. Breaks are the best thing in the world for each and every age group. I for one hated sitting in a lecture for hours on end without any breaks, which led me to leaving and taking "bathroom breaks" just to let my mind take a break, but then I also was missing notes and the lecture itself.
ReplyDeleteMovement breaks are so important! As a former high school teacher, I always felt that students needed more movement throughout the day. Sitting for 58 minutes with only 5 minutes in between is so hard on the body and mind. When I had my first job out of college I found myself getting up every hour to get water or go to the bathroom because my mind would get so sleepy and un-focused after too much sitting time. Now working in an elementary school I really see how important movement is for younger students.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why my name isn't there but it's Dana Lawlor
DeleteSuch an important topic. I find that especially with younger kids movement is so important. They cannot sustain their attention long enough to focus and pay attention let alone sit. Kids are meant to play and move. I know I use a lot of gonoodle breaks in my classroom and definitely see a difference behavior wise. Kids come back ready and engaged. You can also use small simon says games just to get the kids attention and get them up and moving. There's so many opportunities for movement!
ReplyDeleteMovement is so important to incorporate into the classroom. We have a movement corner where students can give a silent signal and if it's a good time they can choose an exercise to do from a list on the wall. Students have been really enjoying it. I also love gonoodles! I taught a lesson on voting the other day and there was a perfect gonoodle about voting. It gave us an opportunity to stay on topic but not have to sit the whole time. We also have a mindfulness period after lunch recess which is very helpful to calm the students down. I think movement can also be done in slow calming ways like yoga and stretching, not just jumping and running.
ReplyDelete