I make movement part of my music lesson! We do jumping jacks to the beat, run a victory lap if we work super hard, and dance it out if we get tired or need a brain break. There’s ways to teach many concepts using movement, and for many of my students movement helps them engage more and learn deeper.
I teach science, so I love taking ANY opportunity to get my students outside and moving around. We do regular nature walks to observe, record and document things like food chains, ecosystems, and adaptations in action. During the spring, I also allow each of my students to grow and take care of a plant. This allows them to go outside a few extra minutes and take a brain break. One of my favorite activities, however, is during the space science unit. I have students work together to create an interpretive dance (in any style) to represent to movement of the Earth, Moon and sun. Sometimes you just need to think outside of the box and get a little creative!
ClassTag Connect / Jun 02, 2023
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May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month! While staying active all year round is important, this is a great time to remind your students and yourselves about the importance of fitness, both inside and outside of the classroom.
No matter what subject you teach, there is ALWAYS a way to include movement and physical activity:
I make movement part of my music lesson! We do jumping jacks to the beat, run a victory lap if we work super hard, and dance it out if we get tired or need a brain break. There’s ways to teach many concepts using movement, and for many of my students movement helps them engage more and learn deeper.
I teach science, so I love taking ANY opportunity to get my students outside and moving around. We do regular nature walks to observe, record and document things like food chains, ecosystems, and adaptations in action. During the spring, I also allow each of my students to grow and take care of a plant. This allows them to go outside a few extra minutes and take a brain break. One of my favorite activities, however, is during the space science unit. I have students work together to create an interpretive dance (in any style) to represent to movement of the Earth, Moon and sun. Sometimes you just need to think outside of the box and get a little creative!
How about planning a WHOLE DAY dedicated to sports and staying active?
Marine Freibrun from Tales From a Very Busy Teacher has a wonderful resource in her Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) store that will help you plan your End of the Year Sports Day! It’s great for engaging your students with some outside play while keeping it academic, too.
Perhaps it’s hard for you to find time to fit movement into the school day?
Lindsay Sauer from Sweet n Sauer Firsties has a fantastic FREE resource in her TpT store that will help keep your daily schedule airtight. These schedule cards will make sure you always have time to add in some movement into your day. There are even a few customizable ones at the end!
How about using a theme in your classroom that encourages an active and healthy lifestyle?
Corrina Gandara from Surfin’ Through Second teaches on the island of Oahu in Hawaii and uses a surfing theme in her classroom. She also promotes her own active and healthy lifestyle through her blog and social media channels. She offers a ton of surf-themed resources through her TpT store that you can use, or take inspiration from for your own sport-themed classroom.
We hope this helps give you some ideas to get your own class moving! If you already have something planned to celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, we’d love to hear about it! Let us know in the comments below.
