Incorporating Physical Activity Brain Breaks Into Elementary Classrooms Instructional Design and Professional Learning Division K–12 Science, Health, Physical Education, and Driver Education

Welcome and Introductions Liz Whitehead K–12 Wellness Project Facilitator

Why are we here?

Today’s Objectives To determine the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement. To identify the characteristics of effective physical activity breaks. To develop strategies to implement effective physical activity breaks into classroom instruction.

Active Problem Solver Multiplication and Division Word Problems ® activeacademics.org

Rock, Paper, Scissors Formative Assessment READY….Jump on 4, Answer A: Land in Squat Answer B: Land with Arms Up Answer C: Land with Arms Crossed Answer D: Land facing Backward

1. A class of 35 was divided into 5 equal groups. How many students are in each group? A.5 B.6 C.7 D.8 READY….Jump on 4, Answer A: Land in Squat Answer B: Land with Arms Up Answer C: Land with Arms Crossed Answer D: Land facing Backward

1. A class of 35 were divided into 5 equal groups. How many students are in each group? A.5 B.6 C.7 D.8 READY….Jump on 4, Answer A: Land in Squat Answer B: Land with Arms Up Answer C: Land with Arms Crossed Answer D: Land facing Backward

2. Mary and Samantha have 72 pieces of candy altogether. If they split them in half, how many would each girl have? A.30 B.35 C.36 D.37 READY….Jump on 4, Answer A: Land in Squat Answer B: Land with Arms Up Answer C: Land with Arms Crossed Answer D: Land facing Backward

2. Mary and Samantha have 72 pieces of candy altogether. If they split them in half, how many would each girl have? A.30 B.35 C.36 D.37 READY….Jump on 4, Answer A: Land in Squat Answer B: Land with Arms Up Answer C: Land with Arms Crossed Answer D: Land facing Backward

3. The first grade class visited the farm. They saw 10 pigs. If each pig had 4 legs, how many pig legs were on the farm? A.14 B.24 C.30 D.40 READY….Jump on 4, Answer A: Land in Squat Answer B: Land with Arms Up Answer C: Land with Arms Crossed Answer D: Land facing Backward

3.The first grade class visited the farm. They saw 10 pigs. If each pig had 4 legs, how many pig legs were on the farm? A.14 B.24 C.30 D.40 READY….Jump on 4, Answer A: Land in Squat Answer B: Land with Arms Up Answer C: Land with Arms Crossed Answer D: Land facing Backward

Good Work!!!! Congratulations!

What are physical activity breaks? Short physical activities performed at a desk or around a classroom that can last from one to fifteen minutes.

Why should we use physical activity breaks?

Which Neural Pathway do you want?

Grade LevelAppropriate Amount of Direct Instruction Grades K-25-8 Minutes Grades Minutes Grades Minutes Grades Minutes Adult Learners15-18 Minutes *Eric Jensen

Why should we use physical activity breaks?

Physical activity break time! 2

Review: Why should we use physical activity breaks?

Why should we use physical activity breaks?

When can we use physical activity breaks? Transitions To wake up To slow down For kinesthetic learning

A Few Brain Principles The brain responds to… Novelty Movement Making connection/meaning Concrete experiences Social and environmental interaction Mike Kuczala - The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning through Movement

Is there proof that physical activity breaks actually work?

The Association between School-Based Physical Activity, Including Physical Education, and Academic Performance CDC used over 50 studies for their report.

89% is GOOD

Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement By James B Grissom Journal of Exercise Physiology Sample size of 884,715 students.

Higher Levels of Fitness Associated with Better Academic Performance Higher Levels of Fitness Associated with Better Academic Performance New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Sample size was all NYC K-8 students for

Sample size was 2.4 million Texas students from grades 3–12 during 2007–08. Physical Education, Physical Activity and Academic Performance

Aerobic activity leads to Neurogenesis

WARNING: Physical Fitness causes Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus, which leads to Increased Hippocampus Size

Who wants 20% more of a good thing?

Children’s Health: Physical Inactivity and Depression Linked Children’s Health: Physical Inactivity and Depression Linked Journal of Science and Medicine May 6, 2013

Let’s Review Increased Physical Activity = Increased Test Scores

Helpful Hints to Create a Physically Active Classroom Start with a positive bully-free environment where students feel respected and valued. Develop a STOP signal where students will stop what they are doing to listen. Model enthusiasm for physical activity. Make sure directions are very clear. Set a time limit for the activity and make sure your students know it. Music really helps. Compliment the class and celebrate success.

Online Resources ECU Activity Promotion Lab: hhp/exss/apl.cfmhttp:// hhp/exss/apl.cfm Adventure to Fitness: ABC Manual: Lets Move West Virginia Resource Guide resource_guide_interactiveFinal.pdf

“Movement enhances learning – it is time to integrate this knowledge into our lesson plans.” - Eric Jensen Learning with the Body in Mind Print Resources

Questions?

The next slide contains a teamwork challenge if time permits

Sequence Bridge