2. PA During School
Activities that: Reinforce & link
classroom content Facilitate retention,
concentration, & on-task behavior Contribute to PA
recommendations
What is it? Who should be involved? Physical educators as
facilitators Classroom teachers School staff Parent volunteers Administrators
PA During School
Cognitive health across the lifespan Cognitive peak ages 21-27; cognitive health
can be stored Sedentary behaviors (even 17-19 minutes)
can alter the structure & function of your brain A single session of moderately-intense PA
(i.e., walking) has impact Hillman et al., 2009; Castelli et al., 2011
Why do it?
A Child’s Brain on Fitness
FitChildren
+20.0
+5.0
SedentaryChildren
FitAdults
SedentaryAdults
Buck, S.M., Hillman, C.H., & Castelli, D.M. (2008). Aerobic fitness influences on Stroop task performance in preadolescent children. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 40, 166-172.
PA During School
Activity breaks of about 5-10 minutes in duration, contributes to cognitive health
PA in the classroom Improved time on task (Greico, 2011) Fewer discipline issues (Mahar, 2008) Improved academic performance (Castelli et
al., 2007)
Why do it?
PA Intensity: Light? Moderate? Vigorous? How Hard?
Intensity is related to performance (Castelli et al., 2011)
Light PA = attentional reset Moderate PA = lasting effects up to 60-mins Vigorous PA = Initial fatigue, but effects last
longer (Phillips, 2011; Tomporowski, 2003)
Rhyme Time:Thank-You Cardios
Thank you, thank you, thank you:
That’s what your heart is saying
When you get it pumping harder
Just by moving and by playing.
If you don’t believe me,
Put your hand upon your chest.
You’ll feel it beating stronger
When you put it to the test.
When your heart gets exercise,
It grows a little stronger,
So as you travel through your life,
Your heart, it will last longer.
Copyright 2012 Liz Giles-Brown
Learning On The Move, LLC
www.learningonthemove.org
Thank you, thank you, thank you,
It never skips a beat.
That heart of yours keeps working,
And that’s no easy feat.
It works all day and all night, too,
And never takes a rest.
A stronger heart’s important
To have inside your chest.
If you want to keep it healthy,
To last throughout the years.
Get it beating every day
By using all your gears.
Do your heart a favor,
Get out and run and play.
Find the things you love to do,
Each and every day.
Active Recess or “Drop-in” PA
Elem: Daily recess (NASPE, 2006) > 20 min. Free play Active Supervision
Sec: “drop-in” PA Lunch periods Advisement, activity
period
Description Examples Play On! Exergaming Equipment bags Painted playgrounds Frisbee golf Aerobic sessions Open gym time Activity zones
Classroom PA Breaks – Just to Move
“Breaks” from the long bouts of sitting
Focus on movement, not content
Performed in limited space during natural transitions
Attentional reset
Description Specific Examples Wall pushups Toe touchdowns Mingle-Mingle Stand & stretch Isometrics Core exercises
(e.g. planks)
Classroom PA Breaks – Content -Related
Movement that relates to content
Performed in limited space during natural transitions
Helps students focus and reenergize
Description Specific Examples
Brain breaks Energizers Activity cards (Pangrazi
et al., 2009) Lessons (Reed, 2010) Take 10!
Kagan strategies
Walking WorksheetsWalking Worksheets:
Tape worksheets on wall, easel and chalkboard
Students move from worksheet to worksheet and answer the different questions
www.YOURTHERAPYSOURCE.COM
Other Simple Activities
Opposite Hunt: Divide the class in half Write a word on an index card, while the other half writes a
definition of the word Shuffle the cards Students match the word with the definition
Ruler Jumps: Place ruler on the floor or use a line Jump over the ruler or line
www.YOURTHERAPYSOURCE.COM
Spell “Physical Education”
P = 1 squatH = jump 1 timeY = 1 squatS = 1 spin rightI = 1 spin leftC = 1 spin rightA = 1 spin leftL = jump 1 time
Implementation Strategies
Find a fellow champion such as a classroom or other specialist (e.g. nurse, counselor, etc.)
Develop a model classroom Talk to your principal Present classroom activity breaks at faculty meetings Invite teachers to observe physical education Begin the day with a PA assembly Present to the school board
*DPA modules will help you develop these skills
Advocacy Talking Points
Time for PA does not decrease academic achievement
PA breaks in the classroom remove barriers to learning Low energy, behavior issues, inattentiveness
PA can be used to teach academic content PA breaks contribute to daily needs This is NOT just for elementary!
Ward, 2011
Elevator Speech You stepped into an elevator after
school and you find yourself alone with your principal… “What will you say to sell your program?”
You have 30 seconds… Switch roles You have 30 seconds with your
superintendent… “How will you advocate for your students’ needs?”
Sample Artifacts
Activity cards Videos
PA activities broadcast to the school PA or scheduling policies Tracking PA levels of students during the
school day Tracking PA progress (i.e. checklist, punch
card, star sheet) School signage and activity zones