Clemson University Conference on the Value of Play2016
The Kinesthetic Classroom: Why, How and When?
Debbie Stevens-Smith
I. WHY…should PLAY educators be concerned with using movement in the classroom?
We have a culture of sickness, not fitness!!
3 Areas of concern:
1-obesity levels of children
2-movement as an alternative teaching method
3-improve academic performance
1- Obesity levels continue to increase on both a national and state level.
Other Statistics:
-More than one-in-ten children (8.4 percent) were obese starting in early childhood (2- to 5-year-olds).
-By ages 12 to 19, 20.5 percent of children and adolescents are considered obese.
2- Movement as an Alternative Teaching Method:Integrated Learning Techniques Classroom teachers need alternative approaches to teaching academic content. Teachers need to realize that feeding your students bodies with physical activity is just as important as feeding their minds with history, science and reading. Exercise/movement is what improves brain functioning!
Research Supports that Physically Active Children…
A- …Perform Better Academically: Research Supports that We CanImprove Students Test Scores with Physical Activity(
Researchers sought to determine how implementing a daily physical activity program that incorporated classroom lessons would affect student achievement. First- through sixth-graders at an academically low-scoring elementary school in Charleston, S.C., took part in the program 40 minutes a day, five days a week. Prior to initiation of the program, students spent 40 minutes per week in physical education classes.
Results showed that the time spent out of a traditional classroom in order to increase physical education did not hurt students’ academic achievement. In fact, student test scores improved. Specifically, the percentage of students reaching their goal on the state tests increased from 55% before the program was initiated to 68.5% after the program was initiated.
B- …Pay Better Attention During Class Time: Texas Education Association looked at over 2.4 millionstudents & found higher levels of physical fitness were associated with better academic performance, better school attendance, and fewer disciplinary issues. Counties with higher passing rates on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge & Skills also had higher levels of cardiovascular fitness (Welk, G, Jackson, A, Morrow, J., 2010).
C- …Are Less Disruptive in the Classroom: Movement in the classroom has been demonstrated to decrease behavior management. A study conducted in GA found significantly less fidgeting on days with a scheduled activity break, than on non-activity days (Jarrett, O. Maxwell, D, Dickerson, C. Hoge, P. Davies, G. & Yetley, A., 1998).
3- Improve Academic Performance: It'sa win-win situation for students & teachers. (Cooper, H., Robinson, J. C., & Patall, E. A., 2006).
Grades: showed 20% were more likely to earn an A in Math or English
Standardized Test Scores: showed a 6% increase over a 3-year period
Memory Tasks: shows after being active in PA after school program for 9 months, memory tasks improved 16%
Behavior Management: just one PA lesson creates 13% increase in students PA for the week & 21% decrease in teachers time managing behavior
Quick Results: after 20 minutes of PA students tested better in spelling & math and were more likely to read above grade level.
What are the physiological causes of the improvement in academic performance? Children who are physically active (PA) when compared to there less fit peers, have larger brain volumes in the basal ganglia and hippocampus (areas associated with cognitive control and memory). Cognitive control refers to the control of thought, action, behavior and decision-making. PA children also have increased concentration and attention spans compared to less active peers. The links between PA, brain development, and achievement are actually caused by the difference in activity, rather than reflecting the characteristics of the children who choose to be more or less active (based on differences of the activity, not differences in the children themselves). (Science Daily…Why does PA during childhood matter?)
II. HOW Do We Teach Classroom Teachers to Use Movement Activities?
Have to make a case for PA in the school through using Brain Research:
You can see from scans what PA does for the brain. This is the evidence we need to convince classroom teachers and all educators about why activity is important. Exercise makes the brain learning ready for learning. We need to promote kinesthetic learning as a strategy that could save education, all education…because it changes brains, bodies, and behaviors
BDNF? How DOES the brain change?
BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor), what RateyMadina refer to as miracle grow
for the brain. BDNF functions to translate physical activity into synaptic and cognitive connections. Much about learning has to do with creating new neural connections in the brain, so children can learn.
A Brief Overview of Research on Movement, Fitness, Cognition and Academic Performance
#1: 17 of the 250 action research designs from the 2009 Master of Arts in Education graduating class of Gratz College focused on using movement in the classroom. Taken as a whole this research informs us that using kinesthetic activity increases motivation, creates positive learning states and classroom environments, can raise test scores, prepares the brain and body for learning, increases levels of student participation, attention, and engagement, and helps students to more easily retain and recall information; as cited in The Kinesthetic Classroom (Kuczala and Lengel, 2010).
#2: Students involved with the Learning Readiness PE program used in the Naperville (IL) School District have shown significant increases in reading ability, comprehension, and math. Initially, students voluntarily took the 7:00 am physical education class before attending their regular reading and math classes. In one semester, those with LRPE improved their reading and comprehension scores by 0.5 grade levels more than those students in the study who took the literacy class alone. The results were just as compelling with the students who took LRPE before math class. These students increased their algebra readiness by an average of 20.4% compared to 3.87% in the students without LRPE. Currently, the program is mandatory; as cited in The Kinesthetic Classroom (Kuczala and Lengel, 2010).
#3: In 2002, A California Department of Education study matched scores from 954,000 students in the spring 2001administration of the Stanford 9 Test (SAT-9) with the results of the same students’ performance on the state-mandated 2001 physical fitness test and found that academic achievement is related to their levels of physical fitness (Winger and Thomas, 2002).
#4:Hyperactive children who run before class have improved their behavior so significantly that doctors were able to decrease stimulant doses in children who ran every day (Putnam, 2003).
#5:Mental focus and concentration levels in young children improve significantly after engaging in structured physical activity (Caternio and Polak, 1999).
#6: A 2009 study found that of 2.4 million Texas students,those who are physically fit are more likely to do well on the state’s standardized test, have good school attendance, and are less likely to have disciplinary referrals (Texas Education Agency, 3/9/2009).
#7: Researchers at the University of , found that after acute bouts of walking students are better able to allocate attentional resources and also results in better performance on academic achievement tests (U of Illinois, 3/31/2009).
#8:Sacrificing physical education for classroom time does not improve academic performance. In fact, one study showed that a reduction in class time for academics to enable an increase in physical activity leads to consistently higher mathematics scores (Active Education Fall 2007 Research Brief).
#9:Finland research-45 minutes instruction and 15 minutes of physical activity increase’s scores so they are the highest in the world, check the link project link. University of Eastern Finland. (2014, September 11). Society for Research in Child Development. (2014, December 2).
“The data indicates that when carefully designed physical education programs are put into place, children’s academic achievement does not suffer,” King Scahill, 2011
HOW do we change the look of our classrooms?We can start by using exercise balls, movement centers, exercise centers, exercise bikes, alternative seats.
Tips to remember: Any space will do!
Any movement is good!
Keep It Simple
Take just a few minutes to recharge
Save your money… a lot you can do for freeDonorsChose.org
Make activity a priority
ABC News Active Learning Video:
III. WHEN to Find the Time to Use Physical Activity in the Classroom?
(GN) GO NOODLE Intro 101:You will need to go in and set up your own site for use at your school.
1- Beginning of the School Day:
Best Day of My Life: (GN)
Clap Your Hands: (GN) Jammin Minute:
2- Transitions:
Brainercise:withMrCatman(GN) Games Woosh (count), woe (stop & reverse), zap: Brain Game1st person waves both hands at person beside him and says WOOSH, this keeps going unless some one saysWOE,where he/she waves hands downward (where passing stops & reverse directions) or ZAP where he/she points to someone on the other side that picks up the WOOSH with both hands, can include other movements like groovielicious where everyone bends downs & touches the floor, then starts WOOSHagain, or freak out where everyone claps their hands 25 times very fast (or anything else you want to make up!!).
Body Part Opposites: Brain Game Point to your nose and say this is my chin, other person points to their chin and says this is my nose. Each person does 5 different opposite body parts.
3- Academic Subject Integration:
Walkabouts:Active Ed Intro
Brain Breaks 1 & 2:Sladkey & Miller reference
Adventure to Fitness: (ELA & Math)
PE Central: PECentral.org
Active Academics:
Take 10…Flaghouse
Energizers:Integrated Classroom based physical activity
4- Afternoon Slump:
Move Your Legs: (GN)
Thumb & Index Finger: (Brain Game)Point your index finger straight out and on your other hand extend your thumb up…SWITCH.
Koo Koo Kangaroo: Secret Handshake #2
Finger Touch: (Brain Game)Get a partner. Partner #1 needs to clap their hands and miss, then point thumbs downward. Connect your fingers and pretend to scoop up some ice cream. Turn to your partner and have him/her point to different fingers for you to move but without touching them. Partner #1 needs to try to move the fingers pointed out by partner #2.
Shoe Tie: (Brain Game)A cooperative activity that strengthens communication and fine motor skills. Sit beside your partner and untie one shoe that is between you. Partner #1 uses his/her inside right hand while partner #2 uses his/her inside left hand to tie the shoe into a bow. Repeat using the other hand (non-dominant hand). This activity forces blood into both sides of the brain causing better concentration and longer attention.
5- Before A Test:
Crossovers:
Slap Count:(Brain Game)Find a partner, face your partner with your hands extended and your palms up. Partner #1, slap your right hand into partner’s right hand and counts ONE, your left hand to partner’s left hand and count TWO, partner #2 slaps right hand to partner’s right hand and counts THREE, left hand to partner’s left hand and counts FOUR, until they reach 30 or 3,000!
Nose & Ear Touch:(Brain Game)Hold your nose, reach over or under and grab your ear…SWITCH.
6- Physical Fitness:
Maximo Exercises(GN)
Run with US: (GN) Olympic running events where they can earn PE minutes
JAMmin Minute:just a Minute School Program
Power Up for 30:
Fuel Up to Play 60:
This is an in-school nutrition & physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council & the NFL to help encourage today's youth to lead healthier lives.
7- Getting the Wiggles Out:Koo, Koo Kangaroo…Get your body Movin (GN)
8- After School:walk/run club
9- Physical Education School Based Alternatives:
Action Based Learning Lab: Jean Blaydes motor development lab stations to show teachers how thinking can be changed.
Minds in Motion Lab: The research-validated program is designed to stimulate a child's visual processing, auditory processing, and their motor skills. The outcome is a better-integrated and balanced child who will preform better in school and at home.
Other Sites for Classroom Teachers:
Move to Learn: Ideas to get kids active
Geo Motion:
Movement Mixer-pick your moves…can download music to use in class free…
Brain Gyms Videos…
Be Active Kids Site: Blue Cross Blue Shield site; 101 things to do with a stick, beach ball, noodles, milk jugs, 50 things to do with… from Shape North Carolina
Classroom Friendly Movement; stress balls, fidget toys, desk line dancing party…
References/Resources
Active Education research Brief, (2007). Physical activity and academic achievement. Retrieved from ( COLOR-DOUBLE-SIDED.pdf
Blaydes, J. (2011). How to make learning a moving experience. Virginia Department of Education Video.
Blaydes, J. (2000). Thinking on your feet. Action Based learning, LLC.
Caterino, M. & Polak, E. (1999). Effects of two types of activity on the performance of second-, third-, and fourth-grade students on a test of concentration.Perceptual & Motor Skills,89(1), 245-248.
Clancy, M. (2006). Active bodies/Active brains. Human Kinetics.
Cooper, H. Robinson, J. & Patall, E. (2006) Does homework improve academic achievement? A synthesis of research, 1987-2003.Review of Educational Research, 76(1), 1–62.
Cromwell,S. (1989). A new way of thinking: The challenge of the future. Educational Leadership, 49 (1), 60-64.
Hannaford, C. (1995). Smart Moves:Why learning is not all in your head. Great Ocean Publishers, Arlington, VA.
Hess, C. & Blaydes, J. (2004). Action based learning lab manual. Murphy, Texas Action Based Learning.
Jarrett, O., Maxwell, D., Dickerson, C., Hoge, P., Davies, G. Yetley, A. (1998). Impact of recess on classroom behavior: Group effects and individual differences. The Journal of Educational Research, 92, 121-126).
Jenson, E. (2000). Teaching with the body in mind, The Brain Store, San Diego, CA.
Jenson, E. (2000).Brain based learning, The Brain Store, San Diego, CA.
King, D. Exercise seen boosting children’s brain function. PELINKS4U:May, 2000.
King, K. & Scahill, C. (2011). Movement + Academics= Success. EurekAlert:The Global Source for Science News,
Kuczala, M. & Lengel, T. (2010).The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching & Learning Through Movement. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Medina, J. (2008). Brain Rules:12 Principles for surviving and thriving at work, home, and school. Pear Press, Seattle, WA.
Miller, S. (2011). Energizing Brain Breaks 2.Engaged Teaching Press.
Neeper, S.A., Gómez-Pinilla, F., Choi, J., Cotman, C., 1995.Exercise and brain neurotrophins.Nature 373, 109
News Bureau University of Illnois at Urbana-Champaign, (2009). Physical activity may strengthen children's ability to pay attention. Retrieved 2014 from
Putnam, S. (2003). Attention deficit: Medical or environmental disorder? Principal Leadership, 3(6), 59-61.
Ratey, J. (2008). Spark: The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain. Little, Brownand Company, Park Ave, New York.
Reed, J. 2009). Active education. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. New York.
Sladkey, D. (2013). Energizing Brain Breaks. Corbin Press.
Society for Research in Child Development. (2014, December 2). Why does physical activity during childhood matter?.ScienceDaily. Retrieved 2016
Texas Education Agency, (2009). Physically fit students likely to do well in school, less likely to be discipline problems. Retrieved 2014 from
Welk, G, Jackson, A, Morrow, J. (2010). The association of health related fitness with indicators of academic performance in Texas Schools. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. (suppl), 16-23.
Winger, N. & Thomas, M. (2002).State study proves physically fit kids perform better academically. Retrieved May 16, 2005 from California Department of Education Web site:
LRPE Naperville Central High School: Naperville, IL Zero HourPE
Dave Spurlock: Charleston, SC: These Schools do not let their children sit still
Brain Games: educational materials center (EMC) provides a virtual physical activity idea book for classroom teachers.
University of Eastern Finland (2014). Finnish Schools Are on the Move—and America's Need to Catch Up. to-catch-up/384358/