1. An Active Way in Learning
Conner Thomas
Arkansas State University

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Reference Page
Dean, B. Academotion: 100 Action-packed Activities for Teachers of Young Children (2009). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt.