We use our feet to move. The wheel was invented to improve how we move. Technology has made it possible for all people to move. Movement is a natural part of life. You can see all around you people, animals, and Earth’s elements moving from one place to another. Even the planet we live on is constantly moving—19 miles per second to be exact. If movement is so natural, why are students often limited to do so? Why is classroom instruction often restrained to chairs and tables? Sitting still for longer than 15 minutes is difficult for me, let alone a 9-year-old. Luckily, there are activities and instructional methods that incite students to move. There is plenty of research to support students’ need to get out of their seats. Normally, I would say sit back and enjoy reading the article. Instead, let’s try: jump up, stretch your legs, or walk to a new location and happy reading. To Move, or Not to Move? Move, of Course! “Incorporating exercise and movement throughout the school day makes students less fidgety and more focused on learning. Improving on-task behavior and reducing classroom management challenges are among the most obvious benefits of adding physical activities to your teaching toolkit” (Edutopia). During my Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program in Finland, I saw first-hand the benefits of student movement. It was evident from my observations that students were attentive and focused on the learning activities. One would think students tend to be more distracted when they are moving around. On the contrary. I witnessed students concentrating on their learning tasks and discussing ideas with peers. When kinesthetic learning is modeled, practiced, and used daily, it becomes a customary part of the classroom. Stretch the Idea of Seating People do yoga and Pilates for many reasons, especially to increase flexibility and strengthen the mind. The same principle can apply to classroom seating arrangements. Why make the learning space rigid and confined when there is a world of possibilities? In many of the Finnish classroom I visited, there weren’t just traditional desks. There were flexible seating options as well. I found classrooms filled with balance balls, wobble stools, bean bags, oversized pillows, standing desks, and bucket chairs. Flexible seating can range from simply allowing students to choose their seats to elaborately planned rooms with a wide range of seating options that allow students to work in different positions. Unlike typical row-by-column desks, flexible seating gives students a sense of ownership in their learning environment. Being able to modify the learning space and choose where to work encourages community-building through an increased emphasis on collaboration. Speaking of Flexible
Project-based learning (PBL) is a great method to encourage students to move. PBL is a flexible instructional model. Pedagogical strategies are designed to meet students’ individual needs and address their learning preferences. Students will undergo the inquiry process in order to find solutions to real-life issues, explore interesting phenomena from around the world, and pursue a passion that will improve their talents and skills. During PBL, students will move around the school to utilize a diverse set of resources from laptop computers to 3D printers. Students will create temporary meeting spaces to discuss project goals with group members. Students will seek counsel from other teachers and peers in different classrooms. There is really no limit to the amount of movement students can experience during PBL. Adding More Movement In addition to the natural movement of students in the classroom, there are many strategies to keep educators mindful of getting students out of their seats. Support student learning by incorporating movement and physical activity into the school day. Many of these ideas were inspired by the article, Ways to Include More Movement in the Classroom.
Movement is not a new phenomenon. Humans have been migrating for millions of years. Movement is not a new to education either. There has long been discussion about the best strategies to keep students engaged while promoting physical fitness. You do not have be a scientist to understand that brain power is fueled by energizing movement. Students want to move. They want to learn. Give them both and see the benefits for yourself. Further Reading |
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