Exercise and Learning

Morgan HaddadMarch 10, 2015

Expressive Objectives• I can incorporate exercise into my classroom. • I can prepare students for tests by stimulating

their brain with exercises. • I can enable distracted students to engage in the

classroom more effectively. • I can make instruction more engaging by using

active instruction. • I can increase the overall health of my students

by aerobic exercise daily.

How Exercise Affects Learning

• Creates an alert brain ready to learn (P. Nast).

• Refocuses attention (P. Nast).

• Positive affect on behavior (P. Nast).

• Brings improvements to areas such as:o Concentration and focuso Memoryo Test takingo Physical coordinationo Relationshipso Attitudeo Organizational skills (Brain Gym).

The Neuroscience Behind Exercise

• Exercise balances and increases the production of the neurotransmitters- seretonin, dopamine, and norepineprhine. (T. Doyle, T. Zakrajsek, 2013 and C. Lloyd).

• These neurochemicals help your brain:o To be alerto Attentiveo Motivated to learno Positive for learningo Enhance patience and self-control (T. Doyle, T. Zakrajsek, 2013 and C. Lloyd).

Neuroscience• Exercise helps build cellular infastructure through

the protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that is produced inside nerve cells when they are active.

• John Ratey calls it “Miracle-Gro for the Brain”(T. Doyle, T. Zakrajsek, 2013 and C. Lloyd).

Neuroscience• Exercise causes the development of new brain

cells that form in the hippocampus, an important memory area of the brain (C. Lloyd).

• Growing more brain cells helps improve learning and memory (C. Lloyd).

How Much Exercise?• John Ratey suggests that 30 minutes of exercise,

4 to 5 times per week (T. Doyle and T. Zakrajsek, 2013).

• Learning benefits last for 6-8 hours following activity (T. Doyle and T. Zakrajsek, 2013).

• A study from 2007 found that 40 minutes a day of exercise improved executive function in children (P. Nast).

Aerobics• Activity that raises the body’s demand for oxygen

(T. Doyle and T. Zakrajsek, 2013).

• Resulting in a temporary increase in respiration rate and heart rate (T. Doyle and T. Zakrajsek, 2013).

Heart Rate• In order to do aerobic exercise effectively, you

need to get your heart rate beating 60-70% of its capacity (T. Doyle and T. Zakrajsek, 2013).

How to Incorporate Exercise into the

Classroom

Checking for Understanding

• How does exercise affect learning?• How much exercise is actually needed to

positively affect learning?• What are some ways that exercise can be

incorporated into the classroom?

Reference Page• Doyle, T., & Zakrajsek T. (2013). The new science

of learning: how to learn in harmony with your brain. Stylus Publishing.

• Lloyd, C. Exercise and the brain: health and development. Great Schools. Retrieved Fromhttp://www.greatschools.org

• Nast, P. Cure winter doldrums with in-class exercise. NEA. Retrieved From http://www.nea.org

• Brain Gym International. (2011). What is “brain gym”?. Brain Gym. Retrieved from

http://www.braingym.org/about