The active classroom By: Madalyn Manus

What is an active classroom? An active classroom is applying an active approach to learning. It involves getting students out of their seats and encouraging them to use more than just their mind to learn. Movement in the Classroom has many forms: Rhythmic dance Acting Music Art Games Fitness

Benefits of an active classroom Enhance critical neurobiological systems such as cognition, emotions, the immune and circulatory systems and motor skill development In many situations movement activities have been known to produce new brain cells. The brain is a system of systems and a strong academic curriculum that integrates movement will activate multiple systems. Using the body as a vehicle for academic learning uses more of the brain than traditional desk work. Integrating movement into lessons is very easy! There are countless activities that go hand in hand with the Core Standards.

Retention based on processing type I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand. - Confucius

Movement in the classroom Enhances: Academic Performance Self-esteem Independence Students have the chance to have control over their learning Cooperation Students work together to reach a specific goal Behavior Organization skills Students must organize their thoughts and/or materials Plan and Problem solving Creativity

Ways to incorporate active learning in the classroom Brain Breaks Academotion activity Quick and effective way of changing or focusing the physical and mental state of the learners in your group. Activate, energize and stimulate brains. Research indicates that brain breaks also improve students’ concentration and relieve stress. Content Integration Way to incorporate movement into daily lessons Provide an educational break in traditional deskwork that young children need. Expose students to higher levels of daily physical activity and higher levels of thinking

Brain break examples Sit-down Stand-up Song The Junk Bag I always carry a bag of household objects containing markers, scrap paper, and anything that one would find in a junk drawer -- for example, a can opener or a pair of shoelaces. Pick any object out of the junk bag and ask students to come up with two ways this object could be reinvented for other uses. They can write or draw their responses. Once students have drawn or written about an invention, they can walk the room for one minute sharing and comparing. Squiggle Story On a blank sheet of paper, whiteboard, or Promethean Board, draw one squiggly line. Give students one minute to stand and draw with their opposite hand, turning the line into a picture or design of their choice. Opposite Sides Movement is critical to learning. Have students stand and blink with the right eye while snapping the fingers of their left hand. Repeat this with the left eye and right hand. Students could also face one another and tap the right foot once, left foot twice, and right foot three times, building speed they alternate toe tapping with their partner. Symbolic Alphabet Sing the alphabet with names of objects rather than the letters.

Academotion Examples for mathematics Beats and Patterns Have children begin with echoing, first simple patterns then more complex Sorting and Categorizing Children can sort movements by locomotive and nonlocomotor movements. Opposites When talking about opposites, you can have the students stand up and do the opposite movement of you(if you stop your left foot they would stop their right)

Academotion Examples for English/Language Arts Rope Alphabet Have the children use pieces of rope to make certain letters of the alphabet, this could also be used for spelling words or done in groups Expressive Movement As the teacher reads a story/poem, the student acts it out. This can be a whole class activity or a group activity. Toss and Spell The students use a beanbag and toss it on a poster board of letters and use they letters that they get to spell out a work.

Academotion Examples for History Toys from History If applicable, have toys or activities from the unit of study for the children to play with and experience for themselves. Music and Dance All countries and time periods have varying types of music. Students could do many acting or dancing activities with the music that goes with that lesson.

Excuses and response/solution My classroom is too small to have students out of their chairs. My students have too much energy to do these activities–they would not know how to act so my room would be a crazy house. These activities can be done in small areas. Assign students to “spots” or “tiles” These activities are to help your students focus and work out some of that bottles energy. Set simple ground rules in the beginning of the year. Stay in assigned spot Use inside voice

Excuses and response/solutions cont. I don’t have enough time in my day to have a workout session during class. We don’t have the materials needed to do these activities. A brain break could be as short as 3-5 minutes. Consider incorporating movement into the daily lessons. There are countless activities that students can do where there are not materials required! You could also make your own materials or use every day objects.

References Dean, B. (2009). Academotion: 100 action-packed activities for teachers of young children. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Pub. http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2013/04/brain-breaks-energizing-time-out https://www.edutopia.org/blog/brain-breaks-focused-attention-practices-lori-desautels