Using Technology to Push P.E. into the

ClassroomScott Williams

Meriwether Lewis Elementary School

Charlottesville, VA

Why movement in the classroom is essential

Readiness to learn

Improved coordination

Increased ability to focus

Fewer discipline problems

Opportunity to collaborate with classroom teacher

Credibility for your PE program

What are activity breaks?

Short fun breaks that can EASILY be used by classroom teachers to help their students improve their readiness to learn.

The breaks can take many forms: exercise videos, classroom dances (video or audio), active Power Points, and partner or solo brain breaks.

How are the benefits achieved? Dr. Curt Hinson (paraphrased)explains:

• Exercise increases blood flow to the brain. Blood carries oxygen. The more oxygen for the brain, the better performance.

• Physical activity increases neural connections. The more connections, the more efficient the brain.

• Physical activity increases the size and number of capillaries to the brain. The more capillaries, the more blood to the brain.

benefits achieved continued..

• Reduction of stress through decreased production of cortisol. Stress hurts performance, thus it is important for daily exercise, which helps the body regulate the production of cortisol (a negative chemical).

• Physical activity stimulates the release of neurotransmitters serotonin (mood stabilizer) and dopamine (increases energy and alertness).

What do we as PE teachers want?

EASY for classroom teachers to incorporate

Kids moving more in the classroom

Fun and short in duration

Integrate PE into regular classroom

Positive publicity for PE program

Not disruptive as students will easily refocus

Different choices=more likely for teacher to find something they like

How can we get classroom teachers to buy in?Participate in an activity break at faculty meetings

Let them know what positive results to expect from students

Short in duration and FUN!

Let them choose music for exercise vids

Competitions-Free PE/planning to class that uses most breaks

Administrators love technology being used and creativity

Cool-down built into videos, hook-ups for all other breaks if needed in order to calm students and transition

Teachers buying in continued:Teacher Testimonials

The kids LOVE the activity breaks. I use them in the morning to get their blood flowing and their mind ready for work. I also use them throughout the day when I notice that the kids are getting the wiggles (during our 1.5 hour Language Arts block and during 70minute math block daily). We also do them at the end of the day to end with some exercise and with some positive energy. I ALWAYS use them if it is raining outside as part of indoor recess. In addition, I have incorporated music and movement into my transitions and routines (tables to carpets, lining up, clean up, pack up, etc.) to help the kids focus on what changes are happening now and whatthey should be doing at that time.These breaks provide visual and auditory cues for the kids while engaging them in healthy exercise that helps maintain focus and raises the affective filter. Thank you for all of your hard work with the kids!

~Heidi (2nd grade)

Testimonials con’t

Activity breaks have become a part of our daily classroom schedule ‐ and they are by far one of the students' favorite parts of the day! Every morning, students have an activity break between their reading group period and another quiet, seated work time; these breaks serve to give them a fun, much‐needed time to move as well as get their bodies ready for another quiet period of focus. Students also do activity breaks in the afternoon when they've not had much movement (during a non‐P.E. day and/or a day of indoor recesses). Since incorporating activity breaks into our daily routine, I've noticed more sustained focus among even my most focus challenged students!

Bonnie (1st grade)

Testimonials con’t

My kids LOVE activity breaks. As soon as I say, “Activity Break!” they jump up ready for the first move. It is a great way to begin a lesson, especially if the subject matter will require lots of concentration. I use Activity Breaks any time the kids need a mental boost. Observing how the kids move during Activity Breaks also provides me with additional anecdotal information about each student’s learning style.

Karla (3rd grade)

How can we help PE teachers?

Visit mlspe.blogspot.com for:

Videos of limited space exercises

Silly moves to lighten the mood

Cool down activities/challenges

Song suggestions (upbeat and appropriate)

Lists and descriptions of solo and partner brain breaks

Active Power Points

Strategies to make it easier on youVideo exercises in order of how you want break

arranged. This will save unbelievable amounts of time.

Try to keep videos 2-3 minutes in length. Always end with classical music, a brain teaser, then a hook up

For every two exercises, do one silly move/brain to lower intensity. Students can pace themselves in any exercise though.

If you don’t have time to do videos for entire school, feature multiple classes in same video so they all have ownership.

Have students create videos/dances! High level thinking and less work for you.

Movement opportunities at Meriwether Lewis

Daily Meriwether Morning Movers

Daily Recess

Activity Breaks

Early Bird P.E.

Lunchtime PE/Practice Sessions

Brain Break Exercisessee descriptions on mlspe.blogspot.com

Swimmers

Thumb/Finger switch and other variations

Conductors

Foot and hand circle

Partner Brain Breakssee descriptions at mlspe.blogspot.comPartner T Jumps

Double-Double This-This

Tap and Switch

Silly Flower

Feedback

I love hearing from you and always strive to do better! Please email me at swilliams@albemarle.org with any suggestions on how to improve, what you liked, or how this may have helped you. Please let me know if you attempt to implement any of these ideas at your school. Thank you for attending the presentation!