An Active Way in Learning Conner Thomas Arkansas State University conner.thomas@smail.astate.edu

Why are Children Overweight? How many in the United States: 12.7 million children ages 2-19 years old In Arkansas: Approximately 15% of students The school’s role in student obesity Vending Machines Non-Healthy Lunches Reducing the number of Physical Education Programs Decrease of active lessons in the classroom Recommended time for daily physical activity is 60 minutes per day

Movement in the Classroom Enhances: Academic Performance Physical Health Self-Esteem Behavior Creativity

Academic Performance Keeps students engaged in the classroom Don’t just sit at a desk for 8 hours Not boring A new way of learning Affects the brain in a positive way Increases blood flow, oxygen and glucose that fuel the brain Helps enhance cognitive and social skills Studies show that students perform better in the classroom and their test scores improve when they are given the opportunity to get up and move

Physical Health Students use motor skills Teachers have the ability to reverse child obesity in schools Movement can be added to several subjects: Math Science Language Arts Social Studies Students use motor skills Essential to child development Creates an active lifestyle for future stages of life

Self-Esteem A child who is a skilled mover is also known as a confident child Develop a love for learning Become more confident in their school work Perform to their full potential Better grades on assignments Increased levels on other achievements Learn that they play an important role, both in the classroom and in other areas Activities are less competitive Result in teambuilding and problem solving skills

Behavior Creates a positive learning environment Students become motivated Given goal oriented task Increased social skills Behave positively with other classmates Teamwork Respect Trust Helps them to eliminate Bullying Exclusion Gender Stereotyping

Creativity Schools only pushing students to become better test takers Standardized test don’t provide students with ways they can “think out of the box” No Child Left Behind Act Allow non-competitive experiences Teaches valuable teamwork skills Students can better use creative thinking skills Less instruction from teacher Use their own way of learning

Provided Space Teachers don’t always have to perform active lessons outside the classroom Solutions: Designated stations Carpet squares Student’s desk Other spaces can be used to provide students with a different setting Outside area School Gymnasium

Comparing Active vs. Inactive Learning Active Lessons: Inactive Lessons: Implicit learning Also known as a “hands-on approach” Involves motor skills Students develop a love for learning because it is fun Learns the importance of a healthy lifestyle Explicit Learning Also known as an inactive process Skill based Students get bored when they just sit at a desk all day Don’t necessarily develop healthy habits

Short Example of an Active Lesson Title of Lesson: Predator and Prey Standards: Life Science Motor Skills and movement patterns Equipment: Hoops Beanbags Cones Description: Select two students to be predators (fox) while the remaining students are the prey (rabbits). Use cones to mark off the area in the classroom. On one end of the classroom, scatter colored bean bags. The beanbags will represent the things the prey needs to survive. Therefore, the rabbits will have to hop to the opposite end of the room to collect the items, while trying to avoid the predators. Rabbits can only hop or jump and foxes can only walk. If tagged by a fox, then the rabbit is supposed to then help the fox.

Reference Page Dean, B. Academotion: 100 Action-packed Activities for Teachers of Young Children (2009). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/index.html