Make School a Moving Experience

The Beatles may have written the lyric “I get by with a little help from my friends” years ago, but the sentiment stills holds true today. With a little help from your colleagues, you can tackle big concerns. Students’ need for movement at school is one of those big concerns. Every school is filled with thoughtful professionals who have made caring for children’s social, emotional, and academic needs their mission, so call upon their experience and expertise. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• If your school (or district) has an occupational therapist, invite this professional to visit your classroom. Share ways that you are trying to accommodate students’ needs for comfort and movement, and ask for suggestions. Elicit feedback about the effectiveness of the furniture arrangement, comfort of the seating options, and appropriateness of chairs and table heights. The occupational therapist might be able to offer other ideas to make students feel more comfortable and, in turn, make learning easier for them.

• Talk to the school physical education teacher about quick and effective ways to provide brain and body breaks during the school day. Aim for a variety of breaks (music, exercise, yoga, and more) to engage children.

• Bring up the topic of promoting movement in the classroom during conversations with your grade-level team as well as with other staff members. Exchange ideas about how to maximize students’ opportunities to be physically active as they learn.

• Plan special events such as school field days and walking field trips that promote physical activity. Coordinate a lunchtime walking club that gets students up and moving. Challenge them to track their steps and increase their distance and pace.

• Connect with other staff members to set up a system whereby you can send a child with high movement needs on an errand to another classroom, the library, or the office. This will provide a walking break and also offer opportunities for positive social interaction.

• At a faculty meeting, explore movement opportunities the school environment can provide (caring for a school garden, collecting recyclables, cleaning up the playground, shelving books in the school library, and so on). Get children to be active and involved.

• Meet with the playground supervisors about ways to maximize activity for all students. Brainstorm ideas for both organized and free play during daily recess; make alternative plans for inclement weather.

Through your own interactions with the students, especially those with high levels of physical energy, model how to show respect to all. Stress that each of us is different but that we all have similar needs for friendship and acceptance. Consider these ways to enhance understanding of learning differences:

• Share read-alouds and book talks that center on characters who might act or learn differently.

• Be sure to notice and acknowledge something positive that each child does every day.

• Arrange for plenty of interaction and groupings that allow students to get to know each other.

• If you (or family members) learn in a less traditional way or have a pronounced need for movement, share your experiences with students. Connect with children by describing how you learn best, and encourage them to share their learning styles.

• Reinforce the idea that each child brings something special to your learning community and that you are thankful for each one! 

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Professional Development Opportunities

2016 Live Workshops

Join The 2 Sisters at a LIVE workshop to learn about current research and practices supporting Daily 5, Math Daily 3, and CAFE. Select a location below and sign up while space is still available.
 

Online Seminars

• August 28–September 24
• October 2–October 29
• October 30–November 26

Graduate Course (3 credits)

Register for these courses and earn graduate credits while you learn.

• EDU 555: Launching Daily 5 and CAFE
• EDU 533: Launching Math Daily 3