Get Kids Moving: Spreading Movement Throughout the School Mark Ellner Kansas State University College Of Education Department of physical education Kapherd convention 2016

Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Emile - 1762 This is not a new idea “It is a most pitiable error to imagine that the exercise of the body is harmful to the operations of the mind, as if these two activities ought not to move together in harmony and that the one ought not always direct the other” Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Emile - 1762

Let’s Get Moving Ball Toss Fun Teamwork Movement Brain Activity Thinking and Strategy

Why do This PE TEACHER EXPERIENCE IEPS for Behavior Childhood obesity Teaching PRE-Service teachers Ideas and excitement. Some had not thought about using movement and why it would be important My Children How they learn Most Natural form of learning is through movement exploration

Research on Sitting in Chairs “Studies on classroom seating suggest that sustained sitting in regular classroom chairs is unhealthy for children’s bodies, particularly their backs” (Schilling & Schwartz, 2004).

Research on Sitting in Chairs A study from 1988 designed to examine that using stability balls as chairs to help with posture and health also found that they helped hyperactive students settle down, increased concentration, and improved penmanship (Jakubek, 2007).

Research on Sitting in Chairs Research has begun to look at introducing movement into the classroom, and “evidence clearly shows that though that there is a marked improvement in student’s behavior, focus, and overall academic performance” (Erwin & Fedewa, 2011) more research is needed.

Sensory Intervention: Stability Balls My Research

My Research The purpose of my study is to explore how ninth grade public school students discuss the role of movement opportunities during class on their learning Engagement. What are the participants’ experiences of movement during a regular math classroom? How do the participants describe the role of learning engagement? How do the participants describe challenges of movement within a math classroom setting?

Sensory Interventions tactile sight hearing

Time to Move Again

Brain Activity

SPARK by Dr. John J. Ratey brain-derived neurotrophic factor “A protein produced inside nerve cells when they are active.” “Miracle-Gro for the brain” “Fertilizes the brain cells to keep them functioning and growing, as well as spurring the growth of neurons.” “Exercise increases BDNF and thus gives the synapses the tools it needs to take in information.” By Harvard psychiatrist, John J. Ratey, MD, author of Spark, The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.

What People Are Saying “Movement is a powerful teaching tool, and when we as teachers thoughtfully incorporate physical elements into instruction, we elevate the learning experience” (Valerie Strauss, 2015).

What People Are Saying “by letting students experience the curriculum through their bodies, we help them make deeper emotional, interpersonal, and kinesthetic connections to academic subjects” (Susan Griss, 2013).

What People Are Saying “More important, the children in the exercise group also displayed substantial improvements in their scores on each of the computer-based tests of executive function” (GRETCHEN REYNOLDS, 2014).

How do we get kids moving throughout the day? Talk with teachers Send in class movement activities – brain breaks throughout the day Through e-mail or text Understand their fears and challenges Advocate with parents Advocate with school and district Provide help with kinesthetic lessons Share equipment and experiences with others in school

Teaching reading Kinesthetically Create skits out stories Charades Cutting out words Acting out vocabulary words Have students act out stories as you read Brain Breaks Students retell stories to partner while taking a walk

Challenges and Fears What is the number one thing school Teachers are worried about? Why do teachers avoid movement? What fears do students have?

Discussion and Questions Where do we go from here? how can teachers work with others in the school to increase student movement and exercise.

Conclusion No matter how or when, it is critical to provide students with movement and sensory intervention opportunities throughout the school day. As teachers, we may be the only one advocating for a healthy lifestyle

Mark Ellner mrellner@ksu.edu Kansas state university College of Education Department of physical education