Definitely! All of the instructors in the classroom find movement imperative to the learning of students. All students, including teachers, in need of a chance to stretch, relax, and brain break, are areas to be mastered under brain emotional movement.
I couldn't agreed with you more Mrs. Ledbetter. Sometimes to help us get started in the morning we do a breathing exercise to help "wake" us up. The scholars love to be able to move around.
I agree 100%! Movement is essential. If we do not allow them to move the way we want them to move, they will choose ways to exercise on their own. I have students read and act out short plays. They LOVE to act and move like their character. Stefanie Sheridan A+ Fair Ave.
As an elementary teacher, movement is so important! I love doing centers so we have a set time to move and work around the room and floor. My class last year really loved playing four corners. They would beg to play it! I also use flexible seating. I have yoga balls, wobble stools, standing, and floor desks. All of these seats have a movement that students can do while they are working. They really love this and being able to wiggle. Chynna Triska 103
I love the idea of creating movement in the classroom even when they are sitting or standing at their desks. So many children need that movement to stay focused and release energy as they learn! Heather Hill PLA@93
I love to go into classes that have flexible seating. The students seem to really enjoy the various seats and a lot of the seats allows them to move throughout the day. I could possibly look into adding flexible seating into my class. Sohn'a Duff PLA@103
Great point Chynna, I too use centers/workshop and the scholars love to be able to move around when the timer goes off. Whats amazing is that remember who needs to be where and I sometimes have to look at our chart. I also believe it's something about the timer, they don't play around and ensure that they get to the correct place before I set it for the following round.
I love incorporating movement into my lessons and daily activities! I love using gallery walks and think pair share. I taught 3rd grade this past year and they loved to talk and move! It helps engage everyone and makes learning meaningful and fun! I also incorporated brain breaks with Go Noodle and fun vocabulary and review activities such as the flyswatter game and showdown with whiteboards. This next year I would really love to collaborate with other teachers to learn and try new movement activities that they love! Heather Hill PLA @ 93
Heather, Your classroom sounds like so much fun! Gallery walks are great to use with any age... my favorite is K-1... and incorporate positive comments about each others work. Also, to "spy" one idea that they can use from another scholar!
Gallery Walks are a fantastic way to get students up and moving and to collaborate! I also like the idea of collaborating with other teachers about what they do.
Angela Hill @103 I agree starting off with a relationship with scholars they learn to trust you. I know when I had my 4th grade class we had a lot of movement, even going to the borad solving math problem. Believe it or not the engagement and learning is better, and that alone you will have less behavior problems.
I used Go Noodle with my first graders often this year as well, Heather. When they would become bored with this, I also would randomly pick students by pulling sticks out of a cup with their name on it. Students whose sticks were pulled were able to come to the front of the class and chose an exercise for the class to do as well as tell us how many to do within 20. Students loved this as they chose various exercises like sit ups, push ups, jumping jacks, squats, hoping on 1 leg, skipping around the room, etc. This REALLY helped to get rid of student wiggles. I would also join in with them which they thought was funny.
As a teacher I think you also have to be very observant of your class. At times when I noticed the majority of the class struggling with wiggles and focus, we would stop and change course either by doing Go Noodle videos or moving from the carpet to desks or vice versa. It's important for teachers to pick up on student needs. I also make sure when lesson planning to make sure students aren't in one spot for too long. I think this leads to boredom and wiggles. I ensure we don't spend more than about 20 minutes at the carpet, at desks, or in centers. Cathy Branch, Middlebury Academy
Action 1: I have used, “Act Out Vocabulary Words“. The scholars love using silly & simple kinesthetic movements to help them remember the definition of the vocabulary words. Laughter & movement helps the scholars make a concrete connection.
Action 2: I teach kindergarten through sixth grade art. One example of how I allow scholars to move in the classroom is when they are making choices for materials for their projects... one example is when scholars are glazing their ceramic pieces, they are allowed to move to their table of choice because each table has a different color glaze... this also keeps the colors "clean". Also, when we have different projects going scholars can move around the room to different tables to experience different media. Allowing students to move builds trust, but practiced procedures usually works best.
I really like the idea of Acting Out Vocabulary Words- I've never done this in my classroom before, but is something that if I were to ever go back into the classroom would implement.
C.Louketis, A+ Arts Academy I have also used,"Act Out Vocabulary Words" with my first graders. I paired them up with index cards with words that were verbs and they had to act out the word that was on the index card. This upcoming school year I would like to try the walk-in-talk activity. Maybe give them a project and pair them up, to go for a walk around the play area outside to talk about the project. I incorporate movement in my classroom by having Daily 5. This is where I have 5 areas set up and they can do what is expected of them in each area, but when they hear the bell they must move to the next area.
The inside out circle is an awesome vocabbulary word that I would use with my middle school classroom. I would about 7-10 words that way 2-3 stuudents would have the same word. They had 30 seconds each to explain their word then I would play music to have them rotate. The cirlces would go in opposite directions. Once the music stopped the 1 minute would start for the next word. After 15 minutes we would take a 7-10 minute quiz. This held them accountable not only for learnig their word but also listening to learn the new word. The kids Loved it!!
I like the Act Out Vocabulary Words idea too. It can help with retaining content, and get the wiggles out. I will be using this next year, as science, especially life science, is vocabulary rich. So many body systems, cell organelles, etc., can be acted out or used to play charades.
I like the idea of Walk and Talk. I will definitely try that this year. I have a small basketball hoop in my classroom. The kids play spelling games and shoot once if they spell the word incorrectly and twice if they spell the words correctly. I also have the students do flashlight reading and reading around the room with pointers. Stefanie Sheridan A+ Fair Ave.
I have tried to get my scholars to act out thinks like Charades. They didn't understand or get it. They didn't have a clue what to do or how to do it I had shown them samples, explained, discussed it. They we just frustrated. I teach special Education K-8 and it was just above their understanding. I had tried it with my 5th graders and middle school.
Action 1: One of the activities in the book that I use frequently in my classroom is Think, Pair, Share (like turn and talk.) We think about our question quietly, then turn and talk to our neighbor about that question then we share out what we discussed. We use movement A LOT in my classroom. From playing Sight Word Basketball, to Write the Room, or even hanging math facts from the ceiling and having students work through them on a sheet of paper while moving around the room. Little one's are not meant to sit still so I try and keep my lessons very engaging. Action 2: I teach kindergarten and I incorporate movement through out our school day. I usually play music as a transition and allow students to move during that music playing. Go Noodle is ALWAYS open on my computer. I always play music during our morning work time and center time. We also play a lot of games with our learning. Such as posted above and I play games like "Snowball Fight" where I put sight words on crumpled up pieces of paper. I play some fun and upbeat music and we throw them around the room. When the music stops, we pick up our pieces of paper and we need to read the sight word on the paper to a neighbor or to me. It's a great review activity that keeps ups moving while learning. I would like to incorporate that walk and talk activity as well. I think that could be fun to try and do.
I have had my students play snowball fight as well. We did this with vocabulary. The students had to tell me the definition of each word. We also did it with spelling in which the student on the opposite team had to spell the word. It was really fun!
I've used Snowball Fight for multiplication facts. The kids loved being able to throw things at each other and we're still getting content practice in. It's a great bellringer at the beginning of the day or if there's a few minutes at the end of the day left.
I love go noodle, use it all the time. My students really enjoy it.. Love to use it for indoor recess. Will have to try the music for movement around my classroom too.
I teach Kindergarten also. Its hard NOT to move with 5 year olds. Go Noodle is a favorites as well as Jack Hartman Videos. They move and learn at the same time.
1. I remember in high school we had a courtyard that was large enough that up to 4 classes could be brought outside on nice days. Teachers had access to a roll out chalkboard that flipped over and we sat on the crass or at a park bench that we used for lunch and did our class outside. WE LOVED THOSE DAYS!!! I worked for 2 years at a smaller district here in Texas and at that district, in my school I started doing this with my classes. KIDS LOVED IT and so other teachers started following the trend and it caught on. We did maintain order and the kids all knew that if anyone acted up it meant the entire class would go back in the building...and they did not want to do that. It really did not require a lot of movement yet the difference in atmosphere alone made a HUGE difference. That does not mean I did not do move around plans but that worked so well and caught on. I would love to get something like this started at my school now and I think it can be done eventually once there is a bit better overall control.
2. I teach Middle school and it is not uncommon for my students to come into the classroom drained and all they want to do is sleep. Parents are letting them stay up until so late that often they do not go to bed at all or barely get a nap in. Video games are driving their time away from school. I will get them up, sometimes do stretches, do jumping jacks shake it out etc. BUT I also find that having them work on the board is VERY HELPFUL!!! I have multiple colors of expo markers and if they get a question completed and correct on the board I give them a minute to draw or "tag" their work for others to see.
Hi Terrell, That memory sounds so amazing! I know as a kid I definitely would've loved that as well, so I have no doubt that the scholars would too. I hope you're able to get that going at the middle school! My goal is to have a movement lesson as well where they get to be outside because just that change of atmosphere can do wonders.
I would love to go outside to teach.... did this years ago, thanks for the reminder.. I plan on doing this year for sure! Good way to change surroundings and get moving.
1. One of the activities I have used in my classroom is Musical Chairs. I would play music and students would switch chairs and create a story on the computers. They would be able to add 1-2 sentences to each computer they sat at during this activity. They loved being able to read these crazy and creative stories afterwards. They also loved being able to move around the class and listen to music. I would love to try the standing desk. This is something I think some of my students would love to use in the classroom as they work on the computers. 2. I teach technology for grades k-6. So I really do not allow the students to move around the class. I have a few lessons that allow them to move for that particular lesson such as the musical chair lesson. Sohn'a Duff PLA@103
Shon'a What a great idea with the stories. I bet some of the stories the scholars come up with are amazing! Thanks for sharing :) Jenina Sorenson PLA@103
1. I do realize that the scholars sit a lot and I trying to create ways for movement. I really loved how this Hack #4 get them moving. I do use videos with learning for sight words and counting. I loved how this hack stated that you could use the "Walk and Talk", I can't wait to try this in my classroom. I'm excited to see if that will give scholars more confidence to talk and participate
2. I teach kindergarten and I use Go Noodle and other music/dance videos a lot to help scholars and also for movement. This allows They have some experiences to Boost Confidence. We usually test on Friday's so I do a breathing exercise Victorious to help the scholars believe that they will do well on the test. I also use Rainbow Breath (my room is themed Rainbow Room) to sit the tone for the day.
I agree about your statement about giving scholars more confidence to talk and participate through an activity like Walk and Talk. I didn't think of it that way, but you are right. I teach first grade and I think some students just don't feel confident to talk about learning. Dessalee Cook/Greater Heights Academy
I've used activities similar to the Gallery Walk and Musical Chairs in my classroom. Since science is chock full of vocabulary, we play games and use pictures or definition for questions that individuals, groups or teams can answer. I think back to my game days, when they were allowed to move, as some of the best behavioral days. So now I will use movement with intention for conveying content and behavior management daily.
I teach 7th grade science, and there does need to be time for direct instruction and activities that should be done seated. But I think all other time in my classroom should incorporate more movement and physical learning, along with reading and writing activity.
Hello Alicia! I think that incorporating vocabulary into movement activities is a great idea! I think that there are so many ways to get them out of their seat and they are still learning! Especially for next year because we don't know how our school year will look, I think that incorporating some type of movement in any of the teaching models is a good idea! It is a small as stopping a lesson to give them a little brain break to get them back on track.
Action #1: One activity I use often is Turn and Talk. This activity is often used when I am doing direct instruction and I want the students to turn and talk to someone else about the concept taught. It gives me a chance to see if they understand the concept we are learning. If I learn through their discussions that there are misconceptions, then I might have to reteach the topic again or in a different way.
One activity I would like to try is the Inside Outside Circles. I have done this activity with adults, but not first grade. It might be challenging to teach, but once they get the hang of it, it will be hopefully be effective.
Action #2: I currently teach first grade and one way I incorporate movement is through GoNooodle. It has so many great dance videos for that age group. There are language arts, math, social skills, and so much more. They love to get up move and they are learning and don’t even know it. There is also the option of uploading spelling words which they can spell their words and dance. Another site we use is Jack Hartman. The Jack has created dance videos for all topics, especially for the littles and the essential skills they need to know to be successful. Kids love to sing and dance with Jack.
A lot of times I have observed that teachers are not aggressively monitoring during turn and talk where they can address misconcepts as as well as quickly assess where scholars are in their learning.
What grade level does gonoodle incorporate. I wonder if their are programs for middle school. I know some teachers have used flocabulary because it utilizes rap, but I'm sure scholars would engage with dance moves also. Velma Guidry-Math Coach PLA@SMITH
In addition to the need to move during learning time, I also found my students better able to focus if we 1) took random and/or scheduled movement breaks and 2) they knew they could get up and stretch/move around a bit and/or choose a place to move to so they could continue their work. A lot of times, the brain breaks helped me just as much as them. If I saw they were getting bogged down or their eyes were glazed over, we'd stand and do movements to get our oxygen pumping and the blood flowing. When I was in the classroom, we used a lot of Think Pair Share type activities and Jigsaw. I love the Inside Outside Circles and the Classroom Mingle. I think the main thing with these important movement pieces is to set the expectations and model the expectations. Our scholars will often do what is expected of them; they often don't know what the expectations look like and we have to share that. Amanda Rouse, Instructional Coach, PLA@103
The hack that was most utilized in my school was turn and talk. It was the easiest to implement for teachers who are new to discourse.
As we get more comfortable with movement and discourse I would like to see more teachers utilize walk-n-talk. During a workshop I attended, it was modeled with teachers using an inner circle and outer circle. The inner circle each received a question relevant to a math topic. We then asked the question to the person in the outer circle. The outer circle rotates clockwise and the inner circle rotated counterclockwise and repeated the question to the next person until everyone in the outer circle answered. The process was repeated with the outer circle giving the questions. Velma Guidry-Math Coach PLA@SMITH
I have used walk-n-talk in the past but it has been awhile since I used the inner and outer circle. I would like to incorporate that again next year. Need to keep changing it up!
I love using movement in my classroom. Teaching primary scholars, it is so very important for them to move, not to mention that I need to move. Having them sit all day long is so wrong. If I sit too long I get sleepy, we can't expect our children to do that. Also, child obesity is so high. We need to show them how movement makes you feel better. Jenelle Miller PLA103
While reading this hack, I was thinking about the ways I allow my students to move in the classroom. I teach Kindergarten so they are always on the move and ready to move around. We try and do brain breaks where they are up and moving by playing a song for them to dance to. The hack that I use a lot is write on the board. They love to have the chance to be the "teacher". One hack I would like to try is the walk-n- talk. I think this would be a good one for the younger grades.
Karen I agree with you. I would really like to incorporate the "Walk-n-Talk" hack this year. I can see having to teach some procedures and expectations before hand for this hack, but what a great way to get the scholars up and moving and sharing their thinking.
Yes, more movement and less teacher talk. I think that is key in the primary grades. Some might see it as chaos, but we know it's an organized chaos that has been setup through procedures.
Action 1: I love to incorporate movement. I don't think that I could sit in a seat for as long as we are "expecting" them too, and I am an adult! One of the movement activities that I do a lot is stations that they have to get up and move around the room. When they are at their stations, I group them with students who are around the same level so they are able to work together and talk about what they need to do. Another movement activity that I love to incorporate in all of my classrooms is a lesson called "Imagination Hour". It is an amazing lesson that allows students to pick a topic that they are interested in and then present what their topic is to the class. There is a lot of movement with this lesson because I would just lay out materials for them and just say "go". They were always so focused on their project and they were all going at their own pace. I love it because it may look like chaos because everyone is out of their seat and walking around, but the end projects are always mind-blowing! One concept that I found interesting is was the standing desks. I think these would be a great thing to try out for students who learn better when they can walk around in the back. As a student, I think that I would concentrate better at a desk with a chair so I would be interested in trying out standing desks in the back of my room for students who work better when they are able to move around.
Action 2: Last year, I taught 6th grade social studies and science. For the most part, there was a lot of note taking at the beginning of the week and then Wednesday, I would try to incorporate a review game such as paper basketball, Jeopardy, or board wars so that they were able to get up out of their seats, collaborate, and have fun! When we are able to go back to school, I am excited to incorporate the think, pair, share more and I would love to try more acting out activities with stories that we read in class! :)
I love how you mentioned it may look like chaos because this is something I always try to remind myself. The outcome and the scholars' productivity that matters. Sometimes the best learning happens in "chaos" and I have to actively tell myself that what it looks like to other's doesn't matter!
Action 1: One learning activity that I have used from this hack is “Turn and Talk”. I have found the scholars enjoy this a great deal and are able to pull from these talks to help with tests. Next school year, I would like to use “Musical Chairs”. I can see the scholars having a lot of fun with this one.
Action 2: I’m currently a 6th teacher. During my station and guided reading groups, scholars are allowed to move around the classroom. They are also allowed to set on the floor, tables, or seats. This is the time in our day when they take on greater responsibility for meeting learning/classroom expectations.
LaTiesha The "Turn and Talk" hack is one of my favorite ways to get scholar moving. I have used the "Musical Chairs" hack and had the scholars have different partners to collaborate with when I played a certain song. Such as they had: Spy Partners and I would play a spy song. Another one I had was Olympic Partners and I would play the Olympic theme song. Cannot wait to hear how it goes with incorporating this hack in your classroom this year.
Same. The only rule I had during Free Reading was that they treat the furniture as if they were a guest in someone else's home. If they made a mess, they cleaned it up, etc. They loved it.
Action 1: One learning activity I have used from this hack is "Turn and Talk". I have found when scholars have a chance to share their learning/thinking with one another they are more engaged and take ownership for their learning. I have found that scholars really enjoy this activity as well. One learning activity I would like to try is "Walk-n-Talk" I can see the scholars really enjoying this and having a lot of fun with it. It will take a considerable amount of planning and teaching the procedures for this activity as well.
Action 2: I am about to be an ELL teacher this fall. As a veteran teacher I have taught many different grade levels though. I have used many of these hacks in my classroom. I have used them during guided reading groups, learning stations, and even just while introducing new concepts to the scholars.
That is so exciting that you are teaching the English language this fall! I loved teaching ELL classes! I think that learning stations are a great way to incorporate movement within the classroom and I definitely want to implement them more within my classroom this year. The "Walk-n-Talk" strategy is great to use in any class, especially when teaching English as a language! Students are able to implement the newly-learned vocabulary when walking around a park, a school, etc!
Action 1: One learning activity I have used from this hack is the gallery walk. I have found that many of my students like to read what they classmates write when it comes to the question or questions that they have to answer. It also starts multiple conversations afterwards with the students when we go over and review some of their answers. I like to hear them debate with each other about their answers or why they answered that question that way. One activity I would like to try is the musical chairs activity that was described in the book. I think that this would be great for my students to get up and they would get to hear some music as well.
Action 2: For the last two years, I have taught a self contained 3rd grade class. I have already incorporated many of these movement activities within my classroom. I have used them for reviewing before a social studies or science test with the vocabulary charades, small group work with the gallery walk in answering questions from a selected reading,and four corners as a review. I plan on continuing to do this and to look into more movement activities for my students. I also make sure before I move on to another subject I always give my students a brain break. We either do some yoga poses or do a go noodle and it seems like the students are a little more focused after having those small breaks.
I had forgot about the gallery walk. We did this with a Social Studies project. The students created travel brochures about a region of the United States at the beginning of the year. The students really like to hear what others are saying about their things too. We also had a chart at the front of the room where you could place a sticker for what travel brochure they thought covered all the areas of the rubric.
I like your idea of the gallery walk for writing. It would really hold them accountable on their writing skills.
The gallery walk is a great activity! IT gets the students up and moving, and the presenters are always so proud to show off their work. I have long encouraged teachers to get students up and moving. I remind teachers of how much they wiggle around during staff meetings, and ask how they would like it if they had nothing but staff meetings all day, every day. Some of the students, especially at middle or high school, have 7 "staff meetings" a day, every day. No wonder they sometimes act out.
I love all the ideas in this hack and am excited about using a lot of them in my classroom. One of my favorite activities that I have done with multiple grade levels is acting out a favorite book. We have done The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything, but I should find more books to use because we all enjoyed this activity so much. The technique I would like to add in next year would be more flexible seating and would love it if it included standing desks. I had a couple options last year, but have learned about a lot of other options. I am however a little fearful that the coronavirus is going to limit their use this coming year.
I teach third grade and make sure to incorporate a lot of movement into my class throughout the day in the activities that we do or by taking brain breaks when I feel like I'm starting to lose their attention. GoNoodle is our friend, especially during those cold, winter months. I am also a fan of "scoots," learning centers, small group brainstorming sessions, room transformations (Array Bakery), writing on the board, and think-pair-share. I agree that it is important to keep them moving and think I will have to instill the 10 minute rule into my direct instruction.
I like the idea of acting out a book. I've done short plays before and they love it. So doing a book we are reading, even a chapter would be fun to do. Maybe even find a book with a movie and act a chapter that was a scene in the movie and do a comparison on the two.
I love acting out books. The scholars love coming to the front and participating. My favorite is The Little old Lady who wasn’t afraid of anything. It great yo see their excitement and they remember the book because they are participating. Mindi Spychalski-PLA@103
The one activity I have done is classroom mingle. They like talking to others. But I also have to be careful that have a sheet to fill out or questions to answer or they can get off task easily. I would like to try walk & talk especially in the warmer months to get outside and get fresh air. We have a nice large playground to walk around.
I teach 4th grade and we try to get up and move around the room for science labs, stations, group projects and so on.
Movement is key, which is why it is important to look at procedures that are set in place at school. If we tell scholars that they have to ask to get up, this goes against what this book is saying. We have to make sure that we are embracing movement throughout the day.
This chapter also highlighted the importance of keeping instruction from teachers short. We need to be teaching mini-lessons in each of our instructional blocks. If you're needing to talk more than 10 minutes, are students still engaged? We need to think of it like a YouTube or Facebook video. If you see that a video is more than a few minutes, do you watch the whole thing or jump around a bit?
Back to the question, I have incorporated short, 10-minute whole group mini-lessons. I have even asked scholars to be my time keeper because I wanted to keep my talk down and stay focused. I have also use rotations in math and reading. Allowing scholars to get up and move ever 10-15 minutes is important. I have also tried to incorporate GoNoodle. I enjoy how they have activities for movement and also for calming down and working on breathing techniques.
Mitch, I like how you stated to think of mini lessons as a YouTube video. If we rehearse the lesson in that way, it would create more time for hands on "you do" learning. This keeps the focused attention time at a minimum which helps students to use centers (another movement experience) with more success. I do like that GoNoodle has the mindfulness series. I would like to start the day with just the simple breathing like Bring It Down (https://app.gonoodle.com/activities/bring-it-down?s=Channel&t=Flow&sid=23&cs=flow). I like that the videos walk the audience through, giving suggested visualizations for scholars who struggle with abstract. I also agree that procedures in place are the key to movement being effective and efficient. Michelle Lisco, Middlebury Academy
I really enjoyed reading about this Hack- controlled movement. Although I wasn't always comfortable using movement in my classroom it was something that I incorporated a lot in my classroom, because I could see that that was what my students needed. One learning activity I have used a lot in my classroom is the Turn-n-Talk. I activity that I learned about in this chapter and would incorporate in my classroom is musical chairs; I really liked the idea of implementing this in my classroom.
Scholars of all ages need movement. I have been able to see this first hand teaching grades from First all the way up to Sixth. Throughout my years of teaching different grades I have incorporated movement in a variety of ways in my classroom. I have done Turn-n-Talks, Four Corners, Gallery Walks, White Board Problems, Around the World, Trashket Ball, and many other forms of movement in my classroom. Like stated above, I have always been comfortable doing movement in my classroom, due to the lack of structure it provided, but I found with efficient planning and providing my students with a lot of clear, simple steps to follow it allowed for movement in the classroom to actually be enjoyable for not only the students, but for myself as well.
This chapter was so much fun to read! I absolutely love implementing movement within my classroom. If I have a hard time sitting in one spot for over half an hour, I cannot imagine how my students feel! I have used the hacks of standing desks and turn-and-talks previously and I found them to be extremely successful! Along with those, I have used the "Around the World" activity, I have designated at least 5 minutes to "stretching breaks", and I have taken short walks with my students around the school building to discuss a subject.
I definitely want to try to have my students act out their learning more within my classroom - for they have a lot of fun with it! As far as the musical chairs hack, I would love to try it out and see what happens!
Students sit the majority of the day and they need to be able to get up and move. This is essential to their learning, their brain development, and to developing a deeper classroom community!
Movement is very important in the classroom. With movement you are going to keep the scholars attention and they enjoy the activities that involve movement. I teach 1st grade and movement is a big part of my day. I use turn and talk during my day, I use movement videos and my station require the scholars moving around the room. I want the scholars engaged and participating in their learning. This hack is a very important to implement so we can really reach our scholars. Mindi Spychalski-PLA@103
Hi Mindi, I love movement videos as they can be used throughout the day for scholars of all ages. Videos that combine movement and review of content are a fun extension of learning for everyone. Keep up the great work!
Learning activities that incorporate movement engage students and make learning more interesting. One activity mentioned in Hack 4 that I have used, and love is having students act out learning. This can be done in so many ways for various subject areas such as students turning a story into play, or having students write their own word problems in math and acting out the word problem in front of the class. Acting out learning gives students the opportunity to directly participate in the learning process as they use their creativity and energy to bring stories and other content to life. One activity that I would like to see in action is the use of standing desks. This is a newer concept that I have not used, nor have I seen it being used. I agree that many students cannot sit, or keep from moving, no matter how hard they try, and we need to provide these students with alternative seating/settings for them to be successful. As an instructional specialist, I will be working with scholars in grades K-8. I look forward to collaborating with teachers on ways to incorporate movement into their instruction on a regular basis.
I strongly agree that controlled movement with a purpose is vital to a well balanced classroom. Movement can reduce stress for student and educator. Brainbreaks/movement can help with transitions, promote skill practice, be just for fun! It is my experience that even older kids appreciate the opportunity to dance and move. Movement is a very big part of my day to day classroom. I have a fantastic teaching partner and we both like engaged active learning. I cam site two times during our short school year, where movement increased student participation. We had a Multiplication Bakery. The classroom became a bakery with red and white checkered tablecloths. Students had different tasks involving multiplication to complete. The students loved it and worked very intently on the tasks. It also helped students relax to spend time enjoying multiplication instead of worrying and stressing over it. Another team that movement supported and increased student learning happened as we prepared for our Black History Museum. Students really wanted to spread out, rearrange seats, work on the floor, etc. They worked for days making posters, conducting research, planning costumes. Not only were they I interested in the project but they were physically comfortable which aloud longer engagement in the learning process. As the new school year begins I am thinking of adding more alternative seating and if we are virtual, I am thinking about adding some mindful moments and moments to our morning routine.
I absolutely love the Multiplication Bakery idea! That is such a fun way for the students to learn and practice their multiplication facts! Thank you so much for sharing that!
Those were two of my favorite activities from this year and am sad that we missed out on our poetry event at the end of the year. Can't wait to see all that we get to do next year!
I used Turn and Talks in my classroom almost every single day. My scholars loved them. They loved to talk so it was good for them. It was hard to get them to stop most times because they were so chatty, so I know I have to get that under control this year. I would like to try and use Walk and Talks and/or Musical Chair this year. It will be hard to do so with social distancing, but a Musical Chair adaptation could be done with spots on the floor. We will make it work.
Action 2: I teach 5th Grade at GVPLA in Indianapolis. I tried to get my kids up at least once a day. I loved to play Sparkle with my scholars. It was great Spelling and Vocabulary review. I also let my scholars sit anywhere in the room when we had free reading time. The scholars loved to sit in different areas of the room. I hope to use it again this year.
Hello Mr.Brubaker, I love turn and talk as well I think that it gives scholars the opportunity to exchanges ideas and generate new ones. I think that if you set an expectations about turn and talk , which I am sure you do. Maybe you should set a timer and let them know how long they have to exchange ideas.
All students love to talk! I agree that doing some of these movement activities might be difficult with all of the Covid things going on. I always loved playing Sparkle when I was a student. I forgot about that game and think it would be a great way to add movement into my classroom this year. I also had free time reading and students loved just being able to lay on the floor and did not need any special type of seat. They just liked having a change for a little bit.
I too believe that movement is very important in the classroom. This helps maintain focus of your scholars,and also creates an environment where the scholars are less likely to act out because they are busy having fun learning.I teach AFL grades K-5 and movement is a big part of my day. I use turn and talk during my day, this allows the scholars to brainstorm and exchange ideas that they may have never thought of.This hack is very important to implement so that we can differentiate our instruction so that everyone of our scholars has a chance to understand the lesson that is being taught. I will continue to turn and talk this year and try musical chairs. Leshun Horne PLA@JoneClark
In my first grade classroom I often use Write It On The Board to get students up and moving. I most often use this when teaching Fundations and Math. Students love this and beg to be chosen. I am on the fence about how Turn-n-Talk would work with first graders. Would they stay on topic with their partner? I think standing desks would be amazing for students and would really like to try Four Corners this year in my classroom. Four Corners reminds me of the rolling skating rink where I have seen this game played often. Cathy Branch, Middlebury Academy
Cathy, I attempted turn and talk on many occasions in my third grade class. It was difficult with my scholars because there would be push back about who they were partnered with. When I allowed them to choose, there was minimal productivity. I think with first graders, you could more easily do this with groups of 3-4. I watched that video link that had the pieces of paper with a topic. I would have loved to know some of the topics. But perhaps you could even write words like "zoo" or "McDonald's". Have students grouped in groups other than their table pods and then head to their group. Give a topic and have them share their thoughts. Have you been to the zoo? Favorite animal? If you could be any zoo animal what would you be? This type of active learning definitely requires modeling. I like the Four Corners too. I wish our classrooms were bigger. The rooms are so cluttered with tables that getting to a corner could be a challenge. I did love acting out words. That would be great for vocabulary. I usually act out different scenarios with and for scholars but I like giving students words to look up in a dictionary and then act out. It would help impress the concept in their mind better. Michelle Lisco, Middlebury Academy
A strategy I would use is the 4 corners activity. I would give my students a multiple choice question, with each corner being the area for each answer. This serves many functions. First of all, it provides a quick and obviously visual check for understanding. It gets the students up and moving around the room. While in their corners, the students would then discuss the question, and why they chose the answer they did. Finally, each corner would present their rationale for their answers, and would attempt to persuade the other students to move over. the last step would be to allow students to change their minds and move.
I have done this in the begining of the school year to get to know the students. I never thought about doing this through out the school year, Chris Truesdell - Trix
I love 4 corners! It's something that can be used for any content and so easy. I allow the kids a few minutes to talk in their corner because, if possible, I make them explain or justify their answer choice. They have to agree as a group on their explanation.
While not exactly a movement strategy, I was impressed with one teacher who incorporated Socratic Circles (or seminars) into her lesson. The students would be given a passage from a story, or a quote. A team would then prepare by researching, forming opinions, etc. The class would then sit in a circle around the team, and basically ask questions after the team in the middle has presented its analysis of the text. There are rules about how to engage with fellow students (no put-downs, etc), that must be established, and procedures must be stressed and repeated. The classroom I observed this strategy was well-practiced in Socratic Circles, and I was amazed at how deep the discussion became, all with little prodding by the teacher. Ideas were exchanged, new theories were presented, and disagreements were hashed out in a respectful manner. If I ever return to the classroom in my favorite setting (high school English), I would like to make this strategy a regular part of my rotation.
I also love Socratic Circles. It's takes a lot of classroom management, time practicing routines and getting scholars excited in the process, but when done correctly it's amazing.
I have worked with students from toddlers to elementary age and movement is so important in all areas! Witht he little ones, they are constantly on the go so including movement activities into learning time is so helpful! When I have worked with older students, incorporating some sort of "brain break" allows the students to take a literal break from learning and play a short game or dance out some wiggles they may have so that way they can refocus and are able to learn more. A strategy that I have and will definitely keep using is the 4 corners activity. If I need to check for understanding or to make sure all my students are participating, I have them up out of their seats essentially playing a game. It is a classic and almost all students enjoy this activity! An activity I wish to try is more turn and talk! It allows students to gain confidence in their thoughts when they first talk to a peer and then share with the class!
I love the idea of getting kids up and moving. This Hack is something I need to do more of. The "Turn and Talk" has been presented several times in various PD that I've attended. I think I will try to incorporate this more. I found the idea of walking the neighborhood interesting. I don't see how this could be done. Maybe walking around the outside perimeter of the building. This would have to have administration support. I've witnessed Mrs. Connet-Fama doing "Running Club", which I think is a good way to have scholars move. I've seen Mrs. Hasseld send an individual student bring a "folder" to each teacher. This allowed a wiggly student to get some exercise. In the past I have had groups of students write math problems on the board as others do it at their seats. I've also posted times tables around the room and scholars walk from poster to poster repeating the times tables.
Hi Gale! I think once you start using turn and talk it will become a staple in your classroom! It has so many benefits beyond movement including allowing scholars to partner thinking before sharing aloud, giving quieter scholars an opportunity to share, and more!
I also loved the idea of the walk-n-talk! I have never used this and do think it could present a challenge. The school I was at before had a track, but we do not have one at GVP so I also am not sure where we would do this. You could also for math facts do them to jumping jacks! My scholars loved when we did that! I love how you are thinking outside of the box to meet your schoalrs' needs!
Sarah Rahrig Culture and Trauma Informed Specialist GVPLA
Action 1: I have used many of the learning activities from this hack including “write it on the board” and “turn-n-talk”. Additionally, I have done Carousel review (review questions posted around the room, groups rotate around the room with about 2-3 minutes at each question), dancing definitions similar to the vocabulary example. I did not have standing desks, but I did do flexible seating with multiple seating options including standing, sitting on floor, ball chairs, traditional chairs, etc. One activity I would love to try is the “walk-n-talk”. I really love this idea because beyond getting kids up, moving and engaged in learning it is something people do naturally, walk and talk. Kids do it in the hallway, we do it when we walk through the mall or meeting a friend to catchup while going on a walk.
Action 2: Currently, I work with all grade levels and have small groups with second through fifth grade. When I was a classroom teacher, I taught fifth grade. Much like the hack I used structured movement all the time with clear instructions, learning targets and time limits. For long division each step had a movement, before we started math we did a song and dance, in language arts we did dancing definitions, and more! In addition to movement incorporated in learning, we also did heaps of brain breaks. We never sat for more than 20 minutes at a time. I love this hack because not only does it get scholars engaged, it promotes healthy habits/lifestyle and is brain aligned. Our brains actually function better and learn better after movement and exercise!
Sarah Rahrig Culture and Trauma Informed Specialist GVPLA
I love your idea of using a different movement for each step in division and dancing definitions. Definitions are a great way to incorporate movement. I think it is important that you allowed your students to move after twenty minutes. Anything longer than that is too much for students and they start to lose focus.
I hope to incorporate turn and talk more this year. Last year, my scholars struggled with this concept. There were negative verbal comments and some scholars completely withdrew from activities if scholars did not “want” their chosen partner. When I allowed scholars to choose their partner, there was a lack of productivity. My goal this year is to try to incorporate this more by providing incentives to those who follow directives when working with other scholars in our classroom community. I also have multiple seating options but I had several scholars who were disrespectful of my personal property so I removed the privilege for my whole class. I clearly stated the rules of special seating and several scholars would intentionally break the rules. Because it was my personal property, it was a choice that I made. I attempted to slowly reintroduce seating options in February but we ended up leaving school indefinitely in March. I love the idea of stand up seating. After reading the hack, I started to look for a stand up desk to purchase. There are some very inexpensive desks but I realized that without knowing what school will look like in August I will hold off. I had several students last year that just could NOT sit for even short periods. The stand up desk is a great option that might curb “the wandering” scholar who no matter where they are seated, they are up and wandering around.
I teach 3rd grade. I try to incorporate movement often. If we are lined up in the hall, I will do whisper Simon Says. We utilize Brain Breaks like GoNoodle to begin different subjects. For instance, I typically start math with a Skip Counting (https://app.gonoodle.com/activities/skip-count-to-100) video. It is great for number sense and in third grade this helps with factoring because there are number patterns. I like some of the other ELA videos too. I find that choosing the same videos allows scholars who need to move with the opportunity to get the routine down. This time is better utilized because scholars know what is coming. I also try to find opportunities to have scholars cross their midline when we spell our weekly words. We do everything from imaginary basketball dribbles and shots to apple picking with a basket to traditional arm taps. Some times I take my class on “Field Trips” and we take the long way or a different way just to get a new "landscape" then head back to the classroom to be fresh and ready to learn! Michelle Lisco, Middlebury Academy
I am glad to hear that my students weren't the only ones who struggled with some of these activities last year. Sometimes it is the personalities of the children, but I am hopeful that if I implement these hacks from the beginning of the year, then they will learn the expectations so we can do more throughout the year.
I too had trouble with my students doing the turn and talk and other activities that involved partners. They really are not kind when they don't want someone as a partner or don't do the work. I also do the gonoodle videos. The kids love them. "Don't Read Like a Robot" and "Wizard of Words" are their favorites. Chris Truesdell - Trix
I love to get my kiddos moving. It breaks up our day and allows students to be more active while they learn. I already use a couple of movement strategies in my classroom. The first movement strategy I use is letting students write their answer on the board. They love any opportunity to use the dry erase board and markers. Not only does this get my students moving, but it also gets more students engaged. I also frequently use the turn-n-talk strategy. Students love to interact with each other and as long as they stay on task, this is a great way to get students moving and discussing important concepts. One strategy I would like to implement next year is walk-n-talk. I think this would be a great way to give students exposure to new scenery while they are moving. This would be a great change of pace and seems like it would be easy for students to grasp. Classroom management would be critical and expectations would have to be clearly set.
For the past two years I have taught first grade. I am unsure what grade level I will be teaching next year. Last year in addition to turn-n-talks, I did a couple of other activities to incorporate movement. In between different lessons or topics we would take brain breaks. GoNoodle was their favorite way to shake out the sillies and get prepared for their next lesson. We would do some yoga to stretch throughout the week. My reading and math centers also incorporated movement from each center to the next and at many of the individual centers.
I love turn and talk. It's such a great way to check for understanding as well as so many other skills such as asking/answering questions and building relationships.
I also use go noodle as a brain break. I love that go noodle has been adding more videos that are connected to skills that we may be teaching in the classroom.
In my past teaching experiences, I've used what was shared in "Hack 4-Kagan Strategies." Controlled,structured movement during morning and afternoon procedures as mentioned in "Hack 4" was key to rigor and engaged learning. Each of these techniques depend on the grade level, however. When I was a primary teacher, I enjoyed playing videos, i.e. Freeze, Head,Shoulder,Knees and Toes,utilizing wipe-off boards and "Turn-n-Talk." As a Reading Interventionist, I will continue to use wipe-off boards but look forward to incorporating Musical chairs in the new school year as way to actively keep students engaged all while moving and having fun!
I loved that musical chairs activity idea too! Not only will it keep them interested and involved, but it will help them learn how to share their space.
I also really enjoyed the musical chair idea. I think that this could be wonderful for any age range. At the school where I completed student teaching, they required one kagan strategy per week. That isn't to say you couldn't use more but they required one in each subject per week. This seemed to really allow the teachers to structure their lessons in a way that made it seamless to use movement in almost every lesson.
Action 1: The two strategies that I have used quite often are turn and talk and having scholars act it out. In both my math and reading curriculum there are many times to turn and talk. In my reading curriculum there are many opportunities for scholars to act out things such as vocabulary, parts of stories and much more. One strategy I want to try next year would be musical chairs. Unfortunately I'm not sure if this will be possible due to social distancing guide lines.
Action 2: I teach Kindergarten and movement is not an option. With attention spans that only last a few minutes at a time movement is essential. We have a lot of brain breaks such as acting out their favorite animals, playing charades with things that start with certain letters, go noodles, simon says, and much more.
I teach first grade and we absolutely love Jack Hartmann! I would also like to try to have my students act out more of our vocabulary words and story problems during math time. Brittany Connett PLA@93
I taught 4th grade last year and I try to do brain breaks in between subjects so students can get up and moving. We use GoNoodle at our school and the students love it! They have certain dances that are just for fun, but they have other ones that help with concepts that the students can practice during these breaks as well. They love dancing and singing as a break for a few minutes.
One of the activities I used often during my student teaching was the turn and talk. Many of the scholars really enjoyed doing this because it allowed them to chat with their friends and take minute away from "learning" while discussing the topic we went over. I really enjoyed this because it allowed for me to observe and see where my scholars were excelling and where they were still struggling. One activity from this chapter that I would love to try would be the musical chairs activity. I think that many of the scholars would love being able to walk around and take a minute in between questions.
Action 2: I am currently not assigned a grade level but the movement component is key for any age. This is especially true for primary grades where their attention span is shorter and they have a more difficult time sitting still for long periods. During student teaching, I played lots of games and used board races where the scholars were able to get out of their seats in a structured fashion that allows me to manage and also allowed for group collaboration.
I do think it is important to get the students up and moving. My morning is all ELA and math and they get bored and frustrated. I have used the "Write it on the board" hack. The students that volunteer love it. The students sitting at their desks can start talking because they weren't picked. The musical chairs hack sounds interesting but I am not sure that we can do that this year with the social distancing and not sharing. I teach third grade and I have done games on the white board with math facts and teams. I have the class broken into teams and I have one person from each team come up to the board. I show a flash card and the first person that writes the correct answer gets a point for the team. If I don;t have teams then the student gets to stay and the rest of students sit down and I pull sticks for the next group. I have also done a version of Password with sight words. The kids are always asking if we can do it again. I also love when I ask if they think that an answer is correct I have them raise a body part in the air like their left foot. It is fun watching them trying to get a foot or knee in the air. They laugh about it too.
Hi Kayedell, I like your idea of passwords. I also use as part of vocabulary words. I used as access code to get in the classroom. Your idea of raising a body part is a great idea, I will definitely use next school year. It seems very fun :) Thanks for sharing.
I think movement is so important in classrooms. I teach first grade, so it is important for my students to be able to move during the day. I try my best to have my students up and moving multiple times during our day. After morning work, my students are able to go to the carpet and pick an activity to work on. This allows them flexibility in what they choose to do and the are able to move around before we start our day. We also do centers when the students move around the room to their activities for the day. We also do brain breaks throughout the day. I would like to try to offer standing desks or more flexible seating options. I have tables where the students mainly sit to do independent work, but I would like to have more options. Brittany Connett PLA@93
I agree that movement is incredibly important! I really like the idea of how you incorporate movement into their daily schedule by allowing them to pick where they would like to work. I am also planning on implementing flexible seating in my classroom this year and can't wait to see how it works out! Kelsey Barrix PLA 103
Action 1: The learning activity I have used from this hack is “Turn and Talk”. Students seem to like a lot and are able to absorb from talking important facts to help with tests. Next school year, I would like to use “Walk and Talk" I can see the scholars looking forward to this activity and I am hoping to capitalize in their learning.
Action 2: I’m currently a high school teacher. I teach Spanish so it is crucial that my students interact with each other so that learning occurs and students remain interested. Students act out language scenes, they like to work in teams and compete. As part of learning the Spanish culture they get to listen, sing and dance to songs. It is usually a good day when music is part of the lesson.
I personally think movement is crucial for classroom environments. I really try to get my students moving throughout the day so they aren't sitting in one spot too long. The learning activity that I have used from this hack is Think, Pair, Share. I have found that students really enjoy talking and discussing things with their classmates. I have also found that students have absorbed the information better when they are able to collaborate with their classmates.
I am currently a fourth grade teacher. I plan to implement different flexible seating options for my students. I also plan on implementing movement into station work. I really like the idea of acting out vocabulary words from above and may just use that this coming year! I also plan on implementing brain breaks. I have used those before and have gotten great results.
I currently use to the white board during math review, plus the students who are still at their seats work on their own white boards. I usually to different problems at a time. I would like to use the turn and talk for both math skill problems and for answering questions on comprehension from our weekly story. I have students come up to the doc camera to do our vocabulary sort and math problems. I have also done work the room (what I call it) where 5 to 6 questions mostly math are laid on the floor, students work the problem with a partner to answer the questions, them move to the next "station". Rotation ends when all students have completed all the problems. We then share our answers on the board or orally. It is interesting to see how differently and sometimes the same they solve the problems.
I have used Peer Tutoring in my class. The students are paired up with another student. For example in math class, I pair a stronger math student with a weaker math student. The pair decides where they stand or sit. Some pairs go to the dry erase board, while others sit on the floor. They can use small dry erase boards or paper, their choice. They love it because they get many choices and they get to get out of their seat and talk. I also give them a choice of students to choose from for their partner. I would love to get some stand up desks for my classroom. I have used them before and they are beneficial for students that cannot sit still. I will look into Donors Choose for purchasing these desks.
Action 2:
I would like to try acting out vocabulary with my students. We have weekly vocabulary lists and sometimes depending on the word we come up with some small movement for a particular word. But having the students paired up and working on this together would beneficial to students. It also benefits those students with this type of learning style. Our school has YAT (Young Actor's Theatre) as an elective, and I could see students incorporating their weekly vocabulary words in YAT. I will be sure to share this with our YAT teacher.
Action 1: I have used turn and talk and brain breaks in my math classroom. It helps some students feel more comfortable participating in class when they have the opportunity to share ideas with their classmates. Action 2: I am currently a 5th and 6th grade math teacher. Next year I plan to implement walk and talk in my math lessons. I am excited to see how the students respond to even more movement during math class.
The walk and talk is a great way for scholar to be engaged and I believe they will be able to recall the concept because of this new learning procedure.
Action 1: One of the activities that I use from this week's hack is having the scholars come up to the board and write. I do this a lot with my math lessons especially. I give the scholars a few minutes to solve their work on a scrap sheet before I take volunteers. This is ensures that all of them are doing the work, but it also gets them more excited to solve the problem since they all want to get a chance to write on the board. A learning activity that I would like to incorporate next year is the walk and talks around the school. I want to try to incorporate this because it will give the scholars a change of scenery, fresh air, movement, and chance to discuss topics with their peers.
Action 2: I will be teaching second grade this next upcoming school year. I'll be the first to admit that I don't incorporate nearly as much as I want to or should which is actually one of my goals to work on. The reason why I sometimes shy away from the opportunity with using movements is because this past year I had the end/closing of one of my movement lessons go horribly wrong. However; after reading this hack I got a moment to really reflect on the activity and why it went south, and a large majority of the blame goes on me. I assumed that since my scholars knew the procedures and the expectations that they'd just do it. Instead I should have continued with my explicit instructions of how we were ending the activity, what was expected of them next, and releasing them in smaller numbers (I made the mistake of having them go all at once, rookie mistake). I usually try to have my scholars associate vocabulary words for ELA or math with a movement. I also do quick brain breaks during the day: shake your sillies out, stretch it out, dance break, ect.
Action 1: My school implemented the turn and talk method, which is a great way to not only get scholars moving, but it also allows them the opportunity to talk.
Action 2: I am not currently a classroom teacher, however if I were I would use the hack that allows scholars the opportunity to walk around the school building and discuss angles or shapes.
Libby Taylor PLA@Jones Clark Movement increases blood and oxygen flow, which affects cognitive development. It improves the structure of their brains. I find that movement improves attention and memory. Being a Dyslexia teacher I know that my scholars must get up and move. It doesn't bother me whenever a scholar needs to get up and stretch or even stand beside their desk. Also, they tend to score high on standardized test.
You are absolutely correct! Even as adults if we sit too long we become fatigued and tired. When delivering professional development I try to incorporate movement as well. Four corners and gallery walks happen to be two of my personal favorites.
I have used gallery walk quite a few times and think pair share and turn and talk, and the scholars seem to enjoy these activities. I think four corners would be a great activity to try this upcoming year, especially for STAAR review questions. Last year, I taught 6th and 8th grade and I used the previously stated methods. The scholars enjoyed the activities even more when they could make it into some sort of competition. The only problem is that they would sometimes become loud or share their answers with their classmates before time.
I like Gallery Walks too, but agree that a few can ruin it for others. If I know a scholar might act out during it, I have them 'assist' another classmate and that usually helps keep them on track, (or just have them start their 'walk' by me.)
Action #1: I have used “Turn-n-talk” as a learning activity. Not only is this activity helpful as a learning tool, but it releases me from doing so much teacher-talk. One learning activity that I would like to try is “Walk-n-talk.”
Action #2: As I reflect on my years of teaching, movement has always been incorporated daily as a teaching tool. I love to have students moving, singing, dancing, and chanting. If I have to move around the classroom, I expect the same from my scholars. I teach 3rd grade, we go on daily learning walks and talks usually after lunch. On a daily school-day basis, the students select one (1) scholar to be the movement leader along with me throughout our day.
Action 1: Movement has always been a part of my classroom. We use gallery walks during reading to discuss the story and reading skills in small groups. I like these because it's a quick way for kids to get up and move, work in small groups, and still be able to hear from other classmates that are not in their group by reading the comments from each group. I like that we can leave them up for several days so everyone can continue reading the comments instead of just sharing quickly out loud. Action #2: I teach 3rd grade and movement takes place throughout our day, every day. We've do turn-and-talks, gallery walks, we act out math word problems, move for centers, and take movement brain breaks. At least one of these is used during instruction daily and brain breaks occur multiple times a day. We use different parts of the room for instruction so students may move to the whole group carpet at some point, allowing them to stretch and walk around for a bit also.
Forgot to mention, the one hack I haven't used is musical chairs. It sounds fun and I would love to use it next year. I'm just not sure if it will be possible. Waiting to see what next year holds...
Hello Tammy, I would love to learn more of gallery walks. I like the idea of using pictures/visuals to enhance the learning process of understanding the story. I agree with you also about the small groups and hear comments/questions from other scholars. This I know makes learning fun and exciting.
Tammy, I too like the musical chair idea, even for middle school. However, I see several issues with it, especially like you mentioned, we have no idea what the coming school year is like. Ideally, I think it could be a great activity to spice up a lesson. If you numbered the chairs, you could even turn it into a review game by calling a certain number each pause & having various students answer questions about the topic at hand.
One hack that I have used in my classroom in the past is the standing desk. This helped a lot of my students be successful because they just were not able to sit down and work. It allowed them to move around and not interrupt other students in the classroom. It helped with a lot of my behavior issues with those students. There were certain times that they knew that they had to sit down, but any other time they knew that they could stand up if they needed to.
I like the idea of letting the students come up and write on the board. I have used this a little in the past, but I would like to use it more often. I believe that when the students are able to play a bigger part in the lesson, they are more engaged. From my experience, the students love writing on the board.
I have also used the standing desk. Some students only need the space next to their desks to pace around while thinking. The think, pair, share works well in my classroom too. Students become more involved in classwork when they can bounce ideas off each other before saying them aloud to the large group. I will incorporate more of the TLAC strategies in the 2020/2021 school year.
I've never tried having my students stand at thier desk for a whole lesson. When they work with a partner or in a group they seem to stand more than sit. I think next year I will try to have a lesson were students have an option of sitting or standing. My studnets like working on the board too. Sometimes my other students get restless if they are watching the student at the board.
Yes Corie, I agree that letting students write on the board keeps them engaged in the lesson. I also let every student have a whiteboard to keep them engaged in the lesson. Angela Posey @PLA 103
Action 1: At the school where I work we were introduced to turn and talk and think, pair, share. I have used turn and talk in my classroom and look forward to incorporating more of the TLAC strategies in the future. It is a useful tool to get scholars more involved in learning and socializing with peers to make connections to show understanding. I also tried write the room which is one not listed here but is another great teaching tool. I would like to get more information and see four corners being used in the classroom so I can try this teaching strategy.
Action 2: I teach a self contained class grades K-5. I use learning centers in my classroom. Scholars move from one learning center to another while listening to instrumental music.
Hi, Clarissa, I have used four corners and it is not as hard as you think, You come up with a question and four answers. Then you tell students to go to the corner they think is correct. It can also be used for opinion questions, feeling, etc. I would be cautious, because some students are followers and you can have some skewed data. Turn and talk is fun for most grades. Have a wonderful upcoming school year.
Hi, Action 1: Four corners and turn and talk are one of my favorite activities, which I learned to apply by reading Teach Like a Champion. Students enjoy and with the four corners it is a quick CFU. I am interested in learning how to implement teaching on the road (Walk/talk), not sure how I will do with social distancing, but I look forward to adapting it. Teaching outside with the walking and keeping 6 ft might be an option.
Action 2: I have always had moving centers no matter what grade I teach, the students love it and it supports their academic journey. This last year I taught Kindergarten. Some centers the students sit at a desk, some they write with dry erase markers on a board, there is always a teacher table, and a center with manipulatives. They are fun and students learn at their own pace.
My students at my previous school LOVED 4 Corners! We also played Heads-Up-Seven-Up occasionally. Who knows what it'll be like come August, but kids really do benefit from taking breaks and moving around. Tricia- Middlebury Academy Akron, OH
Action 1 - I've used a Gallery Walk before with my students when my previous school was using the Engage NY curriculum. They seemed to like it and I usually paired different groups up during the Walk so students were able not only to get up and move around, they were able to interact with a different set of peers than when they would sit back down in their seats. One learning activity I want to try this coming school year is researching stand up desks & seeing if they would work in my classroom. I know several of my scholars prefer to work standing rather than sitting, and it is often the students who move the most who enjoy them. Working at a standing desk might actually help curb distractions throughout class.
Action 2 - I taught grade levels 7th-10th last year and I believe 7th-8th this coming year. I incorporate movement in my classroom by strategically placing supplies around the room, having students get their devices by group or some other common characteristic, and having them conference with me separately as needed when it comes time for grades, prior to a quiz, or to turn in a larger assignment to go over what still needs done.
Chapter 4 The Importance of Controlled Movement In the Classroom
My students move to another classroom for half of their classes. They move to go to specials. In my classroom my students move to work with a partner or work in small groups. They love it when they can work with another student. When they are in their groups they don’t have to stay in their seat, they are allowed to move around the area. I love Turn-N-Talk, students don’t have to get out of their seats. They can quickly come back together. I liked the blueprint that outlines the steps for brainstorming ways to get students moving. I agree that the key to controlled movement sessions has to be well planned out and structured. I find that students learn more from each other. Once I explain the skills for the day. My students work together to master the skills.
I YouTube "desk dances" and I had my 7th & 8th graders paticipate; even the boys who were reluctant eventually joined in. Students would sit in their desks and we'd do breathing exercises and 1-2-3-4 count arm exercise with enough room not to hit anybody. I still plan to do this as it's a great way to break up any monotony and re-energizes us. Tricia- Middlebury Academy Akron, OH
Action 1: I have used a couple learning activities from this hack write it on the board, and turn and talk. One learning activity I want to try this upcoming school year is musical chairs depending on how the next school year looks with social distancing. I also thought walk-n-talk sounded like something I would really like to incorporate as well.
Action 2: I teach kindergarten so movement is a constant must with the little ones. My centers always include flexible seating, different manipulatives, and multiple areas in the room. Dottie Lerche- PLA @103
action 1: I have tried the turn and talk. They like doing this one. They can talk about a topic and come back to session without =much effort. Since we are in a very small room and close together there isn't much room to actually move so they just turn and talk.
Action 2: I teach Special Education Resource K-8. We are in a very small room that doesn't leave much room for movement. But I do occasionally have them come to the board to work a problem and they ALL seem to come to the board and work the problem together. Which is fine. They do some of their best collaboration this way. It gets them up and moving (they also pace) and working together or a goal. It gets some that don't usually want to participate motivated to be included and they actually will learn it.
I also allow them to teach each other, which motivates many.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your idea of heaving them teach each other. Its amazing how well they receive the info from a peer. I used that when I taught a 3/4 split. The 3rd graders were struggling with a concept so I had the 4th graders teach it to them in groups. Both classes benefited from the experience. Lisa Roark GHA
Action one: One learning activity from this hack that I have used throughout the school year was turn and talk I like the walk and talk activity, so I do believe I would definitely be using that one.
Action 2: I try and incorporate movement in many subjects as possible. An example in Reading, if I'm teaching a skill like word families, I would go to YouTube, etc. and find a video related to it. If I'm teaching addition, I would also find a video that's related to it. I try to incorporate movement not just those subjects but many other subjects. I like using movement in as many subjects as possible because it definitely has students more engaged in their learning. Scholars love singing and dancing, this is great to have fun while learning. Deborah Dominick PLA @Jones Clark Elementary
Angela Posey PLA@103 Action 1- I have always though it was very important for students have movement while learning in the classroom. I have especially enjoyed using the four corners, think, pair, and share, and having students to write on the board. Action 2- One activity that I would like to try next year is Musical Chairs. I think this would be an effective way to help students review for tests and for guided practice.
Action 1- I use turn and talk often with my kindergartners. They really like that they have a voice and the small movement satisfies most of the "wiggles" during a 10 minute lesson. Action 2- I am excited to try walk and talk. That is something that we could do even if we cant go outside, We could use indoor spaces and they would still get their movement. I also have a few areas in my K room that have desks that are big for my kiddos. Some of them choose to stand and work at them. I will check into making more" standing desks" available.
The stand and work desk provide great opportunities for students to move at will without disrupting classmates, especially because they are usually set to the side or the back of the classroom. The walk and talk is a great strategy. Another strategy similar is to walk and talk is “chat stations,” which I found on www.cultofpedagogy.com.
Action #1: I love using the jigsaw activity, especially 3rd-12th graders and adults. The strategy permits more content to be shared with higher levels of engagement, accountability, differentiated content, process, and grouping. The teacher is the facilitator of learning and not the sge on the stage. I want to try to utilize the fishbowl strategy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVCFGLVZA3w). This would be the next level of adding discussion after the jigsaw teaching process.
Action #2: I teach both scholars and adults so movement is important for both groups. I utilize the following: Vote with your feet, Four Corners, Take off-touch down, Jigsaw, Mix-Pair-Share, Turn and Talk and Stand/Hand/Pair up. Every 10-15 minutes I attempt to include movement.
In my career as an educator, I always created ways for my students to move around the classroom. I found that movement helped keep the student engaged in the lesson I was teaching. One of my favorites was Think, Pair, share. Students loves to talk to one another. This gave students a chance to talk to each other without being disruptive in the learning environment. The strategy that I would love to see implemented in classrooms are whiteboard-whip out activity.
Definitely! All of the instructors in the classroom find movement imperative to the learning of students. All students, including teachers, in need of a chance to stretch, relax, and brain break, are areas to be mastered under brain emotional movement.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Sometimes teachers need a brain break too! This way we can release some tension and remember to have fun.
DeleteI couldn't agreed with you more Mrs. Ledbetter. Sometimes to help us get started in the morning we do a breathing exercise to help "wake" us up. The scholars love to be able to move around.
DeleteI agree 100%! Movement is essential. If we do not allow them to move the way we want them to move, they will choose ways to exercise on their own. I have students read and act out short plays. They LOVE to act and move like their character.
DeleteStefanie Sheridan A+ Fair Ave.
As an elementary teacher, movement is so important! I love doing centers so we have a set time to move and work around the room and floor. My class last year really loved playing four corners. They would beg to play it!
ReplyDeleteI also use flexible seating. I have yoga balls, wobble stools, standing, and floor desks. All of these seats have a movement that students can do while they are working. They really love this and being able to wiggle.
Chynna Triska 103
I love the idea of creating movement in the classroom
Deleteeven when they are sitting or standing at their desks. So many children need that movement to stay focused and release energy as they learn!
Heather Hill PLA@93
I love to go into classes that have flexible seating. The students seem to really enjoy the various seats and a lot of the seats allows them to move throughout the day. I could possibly look into adding flexible seating into my class. Sohn'a Duff PLA@103
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DeleteGreat point Chynna, I too use centers/workshop and the scholars love to be able to move around when the timer goes off. Whats amazing is that remember who needs to be where and I sometimes have to look at our chart. I also believe it's something about the timer, they don't play around and ensure that they get to the correct place before I set it for the following round.
DeleteI love incorporating movement into my lessons and daily activities! I love using gallery walks and think pair share. I taught 3rd grade this past year and they loved to talk and move! It helps engage everyone and makes learning meaningful and fun! I also incorporated brain breaks with Go Noodle and fun vocabulary and review activities such as the flyswatter game and showdown with whiteboards.
ReplyDeleteThis next year I would really love to collaborate with other teachers to learn and try new movement activities that they love!
Heather Hill PLA @ 93
Heather,
DeleteYour classroom sounds like so much fun! Gallery walks are great to use with any age... my favorite is K-1... and incorporate positive comments about each others work. Also, to "spy" one idea that they can use from another scholar!
Gallery Walks are a fantastic way to get students up and moving and to collaborate!
DeleteI also like the idea of collaborating with other teachers about what they do.
Anna Callender A+ Arts Academy - Fair Ave.
Angela Hill @103 I agree starting off with a relationship with scholars they learn to trust you. I know when I had my 4th grade class we had a lot of movement, even going to the borad solving math problem. Believe it or not the engagement and learning is better, and that alone you will have less behavior problems.
DeleteI used Go Noodle with my first graders often this year as well, Heather. When they would become bored with this, I also would randomly pick students by pulling sticks out of a cup with their name on it. Students whose sticks were pulled were able to come to the front of the class and chose an exercise for the class to do as well as tell us how many to do within 20. Students loved this as they chose various exercises like sit ups, push ups, jumping jacks, squats, hoping on 1 leg, skipping around the room, etc. This REALLY helped to get rid of student wiggles. I would also join in with them which they thought was funny.
DeleteAs a teacher I think you also have to be very observant of your class. At times when I noticed the majority of the class struggling with wiggles and focus, we would stop and change course either by doing Go Noodle videos or moving from the carpet to desks or vice versa. It's important for teachers to pick up on student needs. I also make sure when lesson planning to make sure students aren't in one spot for too long. I think this leads to boredom and wiggles. I ensure we don't spend more than about 20 minutes at the carpet, at desks, or in centers.
Cathy Branch, Middlebury Academy
Action 1: I have used, “Act Out Vocabulary Words“. The scholars love using silly & simple kinesthetic movements to help them remember the definition of the vocabulary words. Laughter & movement helps the scholars make a concrete connection.
ReplyDeleteAction 2: I teach kindergarten through sixth grade art. One example of how I allow scholars to move in the classroom is when they are making choices for materials for their projects... one example is when scholars are glazing their ceramic pieces, they are allowed to move to their table of choice because each table has a different color glaze... this also keeps the colors "clean". Also, when we have different projects going scholars can move around the room to different tables to experience different media. Allowing students to move builds trust, but practiced procedures usually works best.
Angela Hill @ 103 I like the act out of the vocabulary words and sparkle, the scholars love it as well.
DeleteI really like the idea of Acting Out Vocabulary Words- I've never done this in my classroom before, but is something that if I were to ever go back into the classroom would implement.
DeleteAbby Gaddis- IS
C.Louketis, A+ Arts Academy
ReplyDeleteI have also used,"Act Out Vocabulary Words" with my first graders. I paired them up with index cards with words that were verbs and they had to act out the word that was on the index card.
This upcoming school year I would like to try the walk-in-talk activity. Maybe give them a project and pair them up, to go for a walk around the play area outside to talk about the project. I incorporate movement in my classroom by having Daily 5. This is where I have 5 areas set up and they can do what is expected of them in each area, but when they hear the bell they must move to the next area.
I love the act out vocabulary words activity. I love the idea of acting out verbs.
DeleteAnna Callender A+ Arts Academy - Fair Ave.
The inside out circle is an awesome vocabbulary word that I would use with my middle school classroom. I would about 7-10 words that way 2-3 stuudents would have the same word. They had 30 seconds each to explain their word then I would play music to have them rotate. The cirlces would go in opposite directions. Once the music stopped the 1 minute would start for the next word. After 15 minutes we would take a 7-10 minute quiz. This held them accountable not only for learnig their word but also listening to learn the new word. The kids Loved it!!
DeleteI like the Act Out Vocabulary Words idea too. It can help with retaining content, and get the wiggles out. I will be using this next year, as science, especially life science, is vocabulary rich. So many body systems, cell organelles, etc., can be acted out or used to play charades.
DeleteI like the idea of Walk and Talk. I will definitely try that this year. I have a small basketball hoop in my classroom. The kids play spelling games and shoot once if they spell the word incorrectly and twice if they spell the words correctly. I also have the students do flashlight reading and reading around the room with pointers. Stefanie Sheridan A+ Fair Ave.
DeleteI have tried to get my scholars to act out thinks like Charades. They didn't understand or get it. They didn't have a clue what to do or how to do it I had shown them samples, explained, discussed it. They we just frustrated. I teach special Education K-8 and it was just above their understanding. I had tried it with my 5th graders and middle school.
DeleteKay Clabaugh
TLJA
Action 1: One of the activities in the book that I use frequently in my classroom is Think, Pair, Share (like turn and talk.) We think about our question quietly, then turn and talk to our neighbor about that question then we share out what we discussed. We use movement A LOT in my classroom. From playing Sight Word Basketball, to Write the Room, or even hanging math facts from the ceiling and having students work through them on a sheet of paper while moving around the room. Little one's are not meant to sit still so I try and keep my lessons very engaging.
ReplyDeleteAction 2: I teach kindergarten and I incorporate movement through out our school day. I usually play music as a transition and allow students to move during that music playing. Go Noodle is ALWAYS open on my computer. I always play music during our morning work time and center time. We also play a lot of games with our learning. Such as posted above and I play games like "Snowball Fight" where I put sight words on crumpled up pieces of paper. I play some fun and upbeat music and we throw them around the room. When the music stops, we pick up our pieces of paper and we need to read the sight word on the paper to a neighbor or to me. It's a great review activity that keeps ups moving while learning. I would like to incorporate that walk and talk activity as well. I think that could be fun to try and do.
Anna Callender A+ Arts Academy - Fair Ave.
I have had my students play snowball fight as well. We did this with vocabulary. The students had to tell me the definition of each word. We also did it with spelling in which the student on the opposite team had to spell the word. It was really fun!
DeleteI've used Snowball Fight for multiplication facts. The kids loved being able to throw things at each other and we're still getting content practice in. It's a great bellringer at the beginning of the day or if there's a few minutes at the end of the day left.
DeleteI love go noodle, use it all the time. My students really enjoy it.. Love to use it for indoor recess. Will have to try the music for movement around my classroom too.
DeleteI teach Kindergarten also. Its hard NOT to move with 5 year olds. Go Noodle is a favorites as well as Jack Hartman Videos. They move and learn at the same time.
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ReplyDelete1. I remember in high school we had a courtyard that was large enough that up to 4 classes could be brought outside on nice days. Teachers had access to a roll out chalkboard that flipped over and we sat on the crass or at a park bench that we used for lunch and did our class outside. WE LOVED THOSE DAYS!!!
ReplyDeleteI worked for 2 years at a smaller district here in Texas and at that district, in my school I started doing this with my classes. KIDS LOVED IT and so other teachers started following the trend and it caught on. We did maintain order and the kids all knew that if anyone acted up it meant the entire class would go back in the building...and they did not want to do that. It really did not require a lot of movement yet the difference in atmosphere alone made a HUGE difference. That does not mean I did not do move around plans but that worked so well and caught on. I would love to get something like this started at my school now and I think it can be done eventually once there is a bit better overall control.
2. I teach Middle school and it is not uncommon for my students to come into the classroom drained and all they want to do is sleep. Parents are letting them stay up until so late that often they do not go to bed at all or barely get a nap in. Video games are driving their time away from school. I will get them up, sometimes do stretches, do jumping jacks shake it out etc. BUT I also find that having them work on the board is VERY HELPFUL!!! I have multiple colors of expo markers and if they get a question completed and correct on the board I give them a minute to draw or "tag" their work for others to see.
Hi Terrell,
DeleteThat memory sounds so amazing! I know as a kid I definitely would've loved that as well, so I have no doubt that the scholars would too. I hope you're able to get that going at the middle school! My goal is to have a movement lesson as well where they get to be outside because just that change of atmosphere can do wonders.
Kayla Walker PLA@103
I would love to go outside to teach.... did this years ago, thanks for the reminder.. I plan on doing this year for sure! Good way to change surroundings and get moving.
Delete1. One of the activities I have used in my classroom is Musical Chairs. I would play music and students would switch chairs and create a story on the computers. They would be able to add 1-2 sentences to each computer they sat at during this activity. They loved being able to read these crazy and creative stories afterwards. They also loved being able to move around the class and listen to music. I would love to try the standing desk. This is something I think some of my students would love to use in the classroom as they work on the computers.
ReplyDelete2. I teach technology for grades k-6. So I really do not allow the students to move around the class. I have a few lessons that allow them to move for that particular lesson such as the musical chair lesson. Sohn'a Duff PLA@103
This sounds fun! I bet the stories were great!
DeleteI love the story idea! I would love to read some of the stories that they create!
DeleteJenelle Miller PLA103
Shon'a
DeleteWhat a great idea with the stories. I bet some of the stories the scholars come up with are amazing! Thanks for sharing :)
Jenina Sorenson PLA@103
1. I do realize that the scholars sit a lot and I trying to create ways for movement. I really loved how this Hack #4 get them moving. I do use videos with learning for sight words and counting. I loved how this hack stated that you could use the "Walk and Talk", I can't wait to try this in my classroom. I'm excited to see if that will give scholars more confidence to talk and participate
ReplyDelete2. I teach kindergarten and I use Go Noodle and other music/dance videos a lot to help scholars and also for movement. This allows They have some experiences to Boost Confidence. We usually test on Friday's so I do a breathing exercise Victorious to help the scholars believe that they will do well on the test. I also use Rainbow Breath (my room is themed Rainbow Room) to sit the tone for the day.
I agree about your statement about giving scholars more confidence to talk and participate through an activity like Walk and Talk. I didn't think of it that way, but you are right. I teach first grade and I think some students just don't feel confident to talk about learning.
DeleteDessalee Cook/Greater Heights Academy
I've used activities similar to the Gallery Walk and Musical Chairs in my classroom. Since science is chock full of vocabulary, we play games and use pictures or definition for questions that individuals, groups or teams can answer. I think back to my game days, when they were allowed to move, as some of the best behavioral days. So now I will use movement with intention for conveying content and behavior management daily.
ReplyDeleteI teach 7th grade science, and there does need to be time for direct instruction and activities that should be done seated. But I think all other time in my classroom should incorporate more movement and physical learning, along with reading and writing activity.
Alicia Turner-PLA SMITH
Hello Alicia!
DeleteI think that incorporating vocabulary into movement activities is a great idea! I think that there are so many ways to get them out of their seat and they are still learning! Especially for next year because we don't know how our school year will look, I think that incorporating some type of movement in any of the teaching models is a good idea! It is a small as stopping a lesson to give them a little brain break to get them back on track.
Great post!
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ReplyDeleteAction #1: One activity I use often is Turn and Talk. This activity is often used when I am doing direct instruction and I want the students to turn and talk to someone else about the concept taught. It gives me a chance to see if they understand the concept we are learning. If I learn through their discussions that there are misconceptions, then I might have to reteach the topic again or in a different way.
ReplyDeleteOne activity I would like to try is the Inside Outside Circles. I have done this activity with adults, but not first grade. It might be challenging to teach, but once they get the hang of it, it will be hopefully be effective.
Action #2: I currently teach first grade and one way I incorporate movement is through GoNooodle. It has so many great dance videos for that age group. There are language arts, math, social skills, and so much more. They love to get up move and they are learning and don’t even know it. There is also the option of uploading spelling words which they can spell their words and dance. Another site we use is Jack Hartman. The Jack has created dance videos for all topics, especially for the littles and the essential skills they need to know to be successful. Kids love to sing and dance with Jack.
Dessalee Cook/Greater Heights Academy
A lot of times I have observed that teachers are not aggressively monitoring during turn and talk where they can address misconcepts as as well as quickly assess where scholars are in their learning.
DeleteWhat grade level does gonoodle incorporate. I wonder if their are programs for middle school. I know some teachers have used flocabulary because it utilizes rap, but I'm sure scholars would engage with dance moves also.
Velma Guidry-Math Coach PLA@SMITH
Yes, I also love the Inside Outside Circles. In the past, it has been helping in preparing for weekly's vocab test.
DeleteIn addition to the need to move during learning time, I also found my students better able to focus if we 1) took random and/or scheduled movement breaks and 2) they knew they could get up and stretch/move around a bit and/or choose a place to move to so they could continue their work.
ReplyDeleteA lot of times, the brain breaks helped me just as much as them. If I saw they were getting bogged down or their eyes were glazed over, we'd stand and do movements to get our oxygen pumping and the blood flowing.
When I was in the classroom, we used a lot of Think Pair Share type activities and Jigsaw.
I love the Inside Outside Circles and the Classroom Mingle.
I think the main thing with these important movement pieces is to set the expectations and model the expectations. Our scholars will often do what is expected of them; they often don't know what the expectations look like and we have to share that.
Amanda Rouse, Instructional Coach, PLA@103
The hack that was most utilized in my school was turn and talk. It was the easiest to implement for teachers who are new to discourse.
ReplyDeleteAs we get more comfortable with movement and discourse I would like to see more teachers utilize walk-n-talk. During a workshop I attended, it was modeled with teachers using an inner circle and outer circle. The inner circle each received a question relevant to a math topic. We then asked the question to the person in the outer circle. The outer circle rotates clockwise and the inner circle rotated counterclockwise and repeated the question to the next person until everyone in the outer circle answered. The process was repeated with the outer circle giving the questions.
Velma Guidry-Math Coach PLA@SMITH
I have used walk-n-talk in the past but it has been awhile since I used the inner and outer circle. I would like to incorporate that again next year. Need to keep changing it up!
DeleteI love using movement in my classroom. Teaching primary scholars, it is so very important for them to move, not to mention that I need to move. Having them sit all day long is so wrong. If I sit too long I get sleepy, we can't expect our children to do that. Also, child obesity is so high. We need to show them how movement makes you feel better.
ReplyDeleteJenelle Miller PLA103
I agree children need to be moving and having movement in lessons. I think that it helps them focus and complete the tasks they are working on.
DeleteWhile reading this hack, I was thinking about the ways I allow my students to move in the classroom. I teach Kindergarten so they are always on the move and ready to move around. We try and do brain breaks where they are up and moving by playing a song for them to dance to. The hack that I use a lot is write on the board. They love to have the chance to be the "teacher". One hack I would like to try is the walk-n- talk. I think this would be a good one for the younger grades.
ReplyDeleteKaren
DeleteI agree with you. I would really like to incorporate the "Walk-n-Talk" hack this year. I can see having to teach some procedures and expectations before hand for this hack, but what a great way to get the scholars up and moving and sharing their thinking.
Jenina Sorenson
PLA@103
Yes, more movement and less teacher talk. I think that is key in the primary grades. Some might see it as chaos, but we know it's an organized chaos that has been setup through procedures.
DeleteMitch Mosbey
GVPLA
Action 1: I love to incorporate movement. I don't think that I could sit in a seat for as long as we are "expecting" them too, and I am an adult! One of the movement activities that I do a lot is stations that they have to get up and move around the room. When they are at their stations, I group them with students who are around the same level so they are able to work together and talk about what they need to do. Another movement activity that I love to incorporate in all of my classrooms is a lesson called "Imagination Hour". It is an amazing lesson that allows students to pick a topic that they are interested in and then present what their topic is to the class. There is a lot of movement with this lesson because I would just lay out materials for them and just say "go". They were always so focused on their project and they were all going at their own pace. I love it because it may look like chaos because everyone is out of their seat and walking around, but the end projects are always mind-blowing! One concept that I found interesting is was the standing desks. I think these would be a great thing to try out for students who learn better when they can walk around in the back. As a student, I think that I would concentrate better at a desk with a chair so I would be interested in trying out standing desks in the back of my room for students who work better when they are able to move around.
ReplyDeleteAction 2: Last year, I taught 6th grade social studies and science. For the most part, there was a lot of note taking at the beginning of the week and then Wednesday, I would try to incorporate a review game such as paper basketball, Jeopardy, or board wars so that they were able to get up out of their seats, collaborate, and have fun! When we are able to go back to school, I am excited to incorporate the think, pair, share more and I would love to try more acting out activities with stories that we read in class! :)
I love how you mentioned it may look like chaos because this is something I always try to remind myself. The outcome and the scholars' productivity that matters. Sometimes the best learning happens in "chaos" and I have to actively tell myself that what it looks like to other's doesn't matter!
DeleteKayla Walker PLA@103
Action 1:
ReplyDeleteOne learning activity that I have used from this hack is “Turn and Talk”. I have found the scholars enjoy this a great deal and are able to pull from these talks to help with tests. Next school year, I would like to use “Musical Chairs”. I can see the scholars having a lot of fun with this one.
Action 2:
I’m currently a 6th teacher. During my station and guided reading groups, scholars are allowed to move around the classroom. They are also allowed to set on the floor, tables, or seats. This is the time in our day when they take on greater responsibility for meeting learning/classroom expectations.
LaTiesha Hollowell
PLA@103
6th grade
LaTiesha
DeleteThe "Turn and Talk" hack is one of my favorite ways to get scholar moving. I have used the "Musical Chairs" hack and had the scholars have different partners to collaborate with when I played a certain song. Such as they had: Spy Partners and I would play a spy song. Another one I had was Olympic Partners and I would play the Olympic theme song. Cannot wait to hear how it goes with incorporating this hack in your classroom this year.
Jenina Sorenson
PLA@103
Same. The only rule I had during Free Reading was that they treat the furniture as if they were a guest in someone else's home. If they made a mess, they cleaned it up, etc. They loved it.
DeleteZ. Brubaker - GVPLA
Action 1:
ReplyDeleteOne learning activity I have used from this hack is "Turn and Talk". I have found when scholars have a chance to share their learning/thinking with one another they are more engaged and take ownership for their learning. I have found that scholars really enjoy this activity as well. One learning activity I would like to try is "Walk-n-Talk" I can see the scholars really enjoying this and having a lot of fun with it. It will take a considerable amount of planning and teaching the procedures for this activity as well.
Action 2:
I am about to be an ELL teacher this fall. As a veteran teacher I have taught many different grade levels though. I have used many of these hacks in my classroom. I have used them during guided reading groups, learning stations, and even just while introducing new concepts to the scholars.
Jenina Sorenson
PLA@103
That is so exciting that you are teaching the English language this fall! I loved teaching ELL classes! I think that learning stations are a great way to incorporate movement within the classroom and I definitely want to implement them more within my classroom this year. The "Walk-n-Talk" strategy is great to use in any class, especially when teaching English as a language! Students are able to implement the newly-learned vocabulary when walking around a park, a school, etc!
DeleteMarcella Largent, Middlebury Academy
Action 1:
ReplyDeleteOne learning activity I have used from this hack is the gallery walk. I have found that many of my students like to read what they classmates write when it comes to the question or questions that they have to answer. It also starts multiple conversations afterwards with the students when we go over and review some of their answers. I like to hear them debate with each other about their answers or why they answered that question that way. One activity I would like to try is the musical chairs activity that was described in the book. I think that this would be great for my students to get up and they would get to hear some music as well.
Action 2: For the last two years, I have taught a self contained 3rd grade class. I have already incorporated many of these movement activities within my classroom. I have used them for reviewing before a social studies or science test with the vocabulary charades, small group work with the gallery walk in answering questions from a selected reading,and four corners as a review. I plan on continuing to do this and to look into more movement activities for my students. I also make sure before I move on to another subject I always give my students a brain break. We either do some yoga poses or do a go noodle and it seems like the students are a little more focused after having those small breaks.
I had forgot about the gallery walk. We did this with a Social Studies project. The students created travel brochures about a region of the United States at the beginning of the year. The students really like to hear what others are saying about their things too. We also had a chart at the front of the room where you could place a sticker for what travel brochure they thought covered all the areas of the rubric.
DeleteI like your idea of the gallery walk for writing. It would really hold them accountable on their writing skills.
The gallery walk is a great activity! IT gets the students up and moving, and the presenters are always so proud to show off their work. I have long encouraged teachers to get students up and moving. I remind teachers of how much they wiggle around during staff meetings, and ask how they would like it if they had nothing but staff meetings all day, every day. Some of the students, especially at middle or high school, have 7 "staff meetings" a day, every day. No wonder they sometimes act out.
DeleteI love all the ideas in this hack and am excited about using a lot of them in my classroom. One of my favorite activities that I have done with multiple grade levels is acting out a favorite book. We have done The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything, but I should find more books to use because we all enjoyed this activity so much. The technique I would like to add in next year would be more flexible seating and would love it if it included standing desks. I had a couple options last year, but have learned about a lot of other options. I am however a little fearful that the coronavirus is going to limit their use this coming year.
ReplyDeleteI teach third grade and make sure to incorporate a lot of movement into my class throughout the day in the activities that we do or by taking brain breaks when I feel like I'm starting to lose their attention. GoNoodle is our friend, especially during those cold, winter months. I am also a fan of "scoots," learning centers, small group brainstorming sessions, room transformations (Array Bakery), writing on the board, and think-pair-share. I agree that it is important to keep them moving and think I will have to instill the 10 minute rule into my direct instruction.
Colleen Hanrahan, A+ Arts Academy
I like the idea of acting out a book. I've done short plays before and they love it. So doing a book we are reading, even a chapter would be fun to do. Maybe even find a book with a movie and act a chapter that was a scene in the movie and do a comparison on the two.
DeleteI love acting out books. The scholars love coming to the front and participating. My favorite is The Little old Lady who wasn’t afraid of anything. It great yo see their excitement and they remember the book because they are participating.
DeleteMindi Spychalski-PLA@103
Sarah Castle - A+ Arts Academy - Fair Ave
ReplyDeleteThe one activity I have done is classroom mingle. They like talking to others. But I also have to be careful that have a sheet to fill out or questions to answer or they can get off task easily. I would like to try walk & talk especially in the warmer months to get outside and get fresh air. We have a nice large playground to walk around.
I teach 4th grade and we try to get up and move around the room for science labs, stations, group projects and so on.
Love it! Maybe I can see it in action sometime.
DeleteMitch Mosbey GVPLA, 3rd Grade
ReplyDeleteMovement is key, which is why it is important to look at procedures that are set in place at school. If we tell scholars that they have to ask to get up, this goes against what this book is saying. We have to make sure that we are embracing movement throughout the day.
This chapter also highlighted the importance of keeping instruction from teachers short. We need to be teaching mini-lessons in each of our instructional blocks. If you're needing to talk more than 10 minutes, are students still engaged? We need to think of it like a YouTube or Facebook video. If you see that a video is more than a few minutes, do you watch the whole thing or jump around a bit?
Back to the question, I have incorporated short, 10-minute whole group mini-lessons. I have even asked scholars to be my time keeper because I wanted to keep my talk down and stay focused. I have also use rotations in math and reading. Allowing scholars to get up and move ever 10-15 minutes is important. I have also tried to incorporate GoNoodle. I enjoy how they have activities for movement and also for calming down and working on breathing techniques.
Mitch,
DeleteI like how you stated to think of mini lessons as a YouTube video. If we rehearse the lesson in that way, it would create more time for hands on "you do" learning. This keeps the focused attention time at a minimum which helps students to use centers (another movement experience) with more success.
I do like that GoNoodle has the mindfulness series. I would like to start the day with just the simple breathing like Bring It Down (https://app.gonoodle.com/activities/bring-it-down?s=Channel&t=Flow&sid=23&cs=flow). I like that the videos walk the audience through, giving suggested visualizations for scholars who struggle with abstract.
I also agree that procedures in place are the key to movement being effective and efficient.
Michelle Lisco, Middlebury Academy
I really enjoyed reading about this Hack- controlled movement. Although I wasn't always comfortable using movement in my classroom it was something that I incorporated a lot in my classroom, because I could see that that was what my students needed. One learning activity I have used a lot in my classroom is the Turn-n-Talk. I activity that I learned about in this chapter and would incorporate in my classroom is musical chairs; I really liked the idea of implementing this in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteScholars of all ages need movement. I have been able to see this first hand teaching grades from First all the way up to Sixth. Throughout my years of teaching different grades I have incorporated movement in a variety of ways in my classroom. I have done Turn-n-Talks, Four Corners, Gallery Walks, White Board Problems, Around the World, Trashket Ball, and many other forms of movement in my classroom. Like stated above, I have always been comfortable doing movement in my classroom, due to the lack of structure it provided, but I found with efficient planning and providing my students with a lot of clear, simple steps to follow it allowed for movement in the classroom to actually be enjoyable for not only the students, but for myself as well.
Abby Gaddis- IS
This chapter was so much fun to read! I absolutely love implementing movement within my classroom. If I have a hard time sitting in one spot for over half an hour, I cannot imagine how my students feel! I have used the hacks of standing desks and turn-and-talks previously and I found them to be extremely successful! Along with those, I have used the "Around the World" activity, I have designated at least 5 minutes to "stretching breaks", and I have taken short walks with my students around the school building to discuss a subject.
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to try to have my students act out their learning more within my classroom - for they have a lot of fun with it! As far as the musical chairs hack, I would love to try it out and see what happens!
Students sit the majority of the day and they need to be able to get up and move. This is essential to their learning, their brain development, and to developing a deeper classroom community!
Marcella Largent, Middlebury Academy
Oh! Also, I am not sure yet as to what grade level I am teaching just yet! I believe that I will be teaching 7th or 8th grade Language Arts!
DeleteMovement is very important in the classroom. With movement you are going to keep the scholars attention and they enjoy the activities that involve movement. I teach 1st grade and movement is a big part of my day. I use turn and talk during my day, I use movement videos and my station require the scholars moving around the room. I want the scholars engaged and participating in their learning. This hack is a very important to implement so we can really reach our scholars.
ReplyDeleteMindi Spychalski-PLA@103
Hi Mindi,
DeleteI love movement videos as they can be used throughout the day for scholars of all ages. Videos that combine movement and review of content are a fun extension of learning for everyone.
Keep up the great work!
Learning activities that incorporate movement engage students and make learning more interesting. One activity mentioned in Hack 4 that I have used, and love is having students act out learning. This can be done in so many ways for various subject areas such as students turning a story into play, or having students write their own word problems in math and acting out the word problem in front of the class. Acting out learning gives students the opportunity to directly participate in the learning process as they use their creativity and energy to bring stories and other content to life.
ReplyDeleteOne activity that I would like to see in action is the use of standing desks. This is a newer concept that I have not used, nor have I seen it being used. I agree that many students cannot sit, or keep from moving, no matter how hard they try, and we need to provide these students with alternative seating/settings for them to be successful.
As an instructional specialist, I will be working with scholars in grades K-8. I look forward to collaborating with teachers on ways to incorporate movement into their instruction on a regular basis.
I do like the idea of the acting. My daughter did theater and I would love to add that to my classroom.
DeleteChris Truesdell - Trix
I strongly agree that controlled movement with a purpose is vital to a well balanced classroom. Movement can reduce stress for student and educator. Brainbreaks/movement can help with transitions, promote skill practice, be just for fun! It is my experience that even older kids appreciate the opportunity to dance and move. Movement is a very big part of my day to day classroom. I have a fantastic teaching partner and we both like engaged active learning. I cam site two times during our short school year, where movement increased student participation. We had a Multiplication Bakery. The classroom became a bakery with red and white checkered tablecloths. Students had different tasks involving multiplication to complete. The students loved it and worked very intently on the tasks. It also helped students relax to spend time enjoying multiplication instead of worrying and stressing over it. Another team that movement supported and increased student learning happened as we prepared for our Black History Museum. Students really wanted to spread out, rearrange seats, work on the floor, etc. They worked for days making posters, conducting research, planning costumes. Not only were they I interested in the project but they were physically comfortable which aloud longer engagement in the learning process.
ReplyDeleteAs the new school year begins I am thinking of adding more alternative seating and if we are virtual, I am thinking about adding some mindful moments and moments to our morning routine.
I absolutely love the Multiplication Bakery idea! That is such a fun way for the students to learn and practice their multiplication facts! Thank you so much for sharing that!
DeleteAudree Zabel GVPLA
Those were two of my favorite activities from this year and am sad that we missed out on our poetry event at the end of the year. Can't wait to see all that we get to do next year!
DeleteColleen Hanrahan, A+ Arts Academy
Action 1:
ReplyDeleteI used Turn and Talks in my classroom almost every single day. My scholars loved them. They loved to talk so it was good for them. It was hard to get them to stop most times because they were so chatty, so I know I have to get that under control this year. I would like to try and use Walk and Talks and/or Musical Chair this year. It will be hard to do so with social distancing, but a Musical Chair adaptation could be done with spots on the floor. We will make it work.
Action 2: I teach 5th Grade at GVPLA in Indianapolis. I tried to get my kids up at least once a day. I loved to play Sparkle with my scholars. It was great Spelling and Vocabulary review. I also let my scholars sit anywhere in the room when we had free reading time. The scholars loved to sit in different areas of the room. I hope to use it again this year.
Zach Brubaker - GVPLA
Hello Mr.Brubaker,
DeleteI love turn and talk as well I think that it gives scholars the opportunity to exchanges ideas and generate new ones. I think that if you set an expectations about turn and talk , which I am sure you do. Maybe you should set a timer and let them know how long they have to exchange ideas.
Leshun Horne PLA@JonesClark
All students love to talk! I agree that doing some of these movement activities might be difficult with all of the Covid things going on. I always loved playing Sparkle when I was a student. I forgot about that game and think it would be a great way to add movement into my classroom this year. I also had free time reading and students loved just being able to lay on the floor and did not need any special type of seat. They just liked having a change for a little bit.
Delete-Courtney Sandmann (Main Prep)
I too believe that movement is very important in the classroom. This helps maintain focus of your scholars,and also creates an environment where the scholars are less likely to act out because they are busy having fun learning.I teach AFL grades K-5 and movement is a big part of my day. I use turn and talk during my day, this allows the scholars to brainstorm and exchange ideas that they may have never thought of.This hack is very important to implement so that we can differentiate our instruction so that everyone of our scholars has a chance to understand the lesson that is being taught. I will continue to turn and talk this year and try musical chairs.
ReplyDeleteLeshun Horne PLA@JoneClark
In my first grade classroom I often use Write It On The Board to get students up and moving. I most often use this when teaching Fundations and Math. Students love this and beg to be chosen. I am on the fence about how Turn-n-Talk would work with first graders. Would they stay on topic with their partner? I think standing desks would be amazing for students and would really like to try Four Corners this year in my classroom. Four Corners reminds me of the rolling skating rink where I have seen this game played often.
ReplyDeleteCathy Branch, Middlebury Academy
Cathy,
DeleteI attempted turn and talk on many occasions in my third grade class. It was difficult with my scholars because there would be push back about who they were partnered with. When I allowed them to choose, there was minimal productivity. I think with first graders, you could more easily do this with groups of 3-4. I watched that video link that had the pieces of paper with a topic. I would have loved to know some of the topics. But perhaps you could even write words like "zoo" or "McDonald's". Have students grouped in groups other than their table pods and then head to their group. Give a topic and have them share their thoughts. Have you been to the zoo? Favorite animal? If you could be any zoo animal what would you be? This type of active learning definitely requires modeling. I like the Four Corners too. I wish our classrooms were bigger. The rooms are so cluttered with tables that getting to a corner could be a challenge. I did love acting out words. That would be great for vocabulary. I usually act out different scenarios with and for scholars but I like giving students words to look up in a dictionary and then act out. It would help impress the concept in their mind better.
Michelle Lisco, Middlebury Academy
A strategy I would use is the 4 corners activity. I would give my students a multiple choice question, with each corner being the area for each answer. This serves many functions. First of all, it provides a quick and obviously visual check for understanding. It gets the students up and moving around the room. While in their corners, the students would then discuss the question, and why they chose the answer they did. Finally, each corner would present their rationale for their answers, and would attempt to persuade the other students to move over. the last step would be to allow students to change their minds and move.
ReplyDeleteI have done this in the begining of the school year to get to know the students. I never thought about doing this through out the school year,
DeleteChris Truesdell - Trix
I love 4 corners! It's something that can be used for any content and so easy. I allow the kids a few minutes to talk in their corner because, if possible, I make them explain or justify their answer choice. They have to agree as a group on their explanation.
DeleteWhile not exactly a movement strategy, I was impressed with one teacher who incorporated Socratic Circles (or seminars) into her lesson. The students would be given a passage from a story, or a quote. A team would then prepare by researching, forming opinions, etc. The class would then sit in a circle around the team, and basically ask questions after the team in the middle has presented its analysis of the text. There are rules about how to engage with fellow students (no put-downs, etc), that must be established, and procedures must be stressed and repeated. The classroom I observed this strategy was well-practiced in Socratic Circles, and I was amazed at how deep the discussion became, all with little prodding by the teacher. Ideas were exchanged, new theories were presented, and disagreements were hashed out in a respectful manner. If I ever return to the classroom in my favorite setting (high school English), I would like to make this strategy a regular part of my rotation.
ReplyDeleteI also love Socratic Circles. It's takes a lot of classroom management, time practicing routines and getting scholars excited in the process, but when done correctly it's amazing.
DeleteI have worked with students from toddlers to elementary age and movement is so important in all areas! Witht he little ones, they are constantly on the go so including movement activities into learning time is so helpful! When I have worked with older students, incorporating some sort of "brain break" allows the students to take a literal break from learning and play a short game or dance out some wiggles they may have so that way they can refocus and are able to learn more. A strategy that I have and will definitely keep using is the 4 corners activity. If I need to check for understanding or to make sure all my students are participating, I have them up out of their seats essentially playing a game. It is a classic and almost all students enjoy this activity! An activity I wish to try is more turn and talk! It allows students to gain confidence in their thoughts when they first talk to a peer and then share with the class!
ReplyDeleteAudree Zabel GVPLA
I love the idea of getting kids up and moving. This Hack is something I need to do more of. The "Turn and Talk" has been presented several times in various PD that I've attended. I think I will try to incorporate this more. I found the idea of walking the neighborhood interesting. I don't see how this could be done. Maybe walking around the outside perimeter of the building. This would have to have administration support. I've witnessed Mrs. Connet-Fama doing "Running Club", which I think is a good way to have scholars move. I've seen Mrs. Hasseld send an individual student bring a "folder" to each teacher. This allowed a wiggly student to get some exercise. In the past I have had groups of students write math problems on the board as others do it at their seats. I've also posted times tables around the room and scholars walk from poster to poster repeating the times tables.
ReplyDeleteHi Gale!
DeleteI think once you start using turn and talk it will become a staple in your classroom! It has so many benefits beyond movement including allowing scholars to partner thinking before sharing aloud, giving quieter scholars an opportunity to share, and more!
I also loved the idea of the walk-n-talk! I have never used this and do think it could present a challenge. The school I was at before had a track, but we do not have one at GVP so I also am not sure where we would do this. You could also for math facts do them to jumping jacks! My scholars loved when we did that!
I love how you are thinking outside of the box to meet your schoalrs' needs!
Sarah Rahrig
Culture and Trauma Informed Specialist
GVPLA
Action 1: I have used many of the learning activities from this hack including “write it on the board” and “turn-n-talk”. Additionally, I have done Carousel review (review questions posted around the room, groups rotate around the room with about 2-3 minutes at each question), dancing definitions similar to the vocabulary example. I did not have standing desks, but I did do flexible seating with multiple seating options including standing, sitting on floor, ball chairs, traditional chairs, etc. One activity I would love to try is the “walk-n-talk”. I really love this idea because beyond getting kids up, moving and engaged in learning it is something people do naturally, walk and talk. Kids do it in the hallway, we do it when we walk through the mall or meeting a friend to catchup while going on a walk.
ReplyDeleteAction 2: Currently, I work with all grade levels and have small groups with second through fifth grade. When I was a classroom teacher, I taught fifth grade. Much like the hack I used structured movement all the time with clear instructions, learning targets and time limits. For long division each step had a movement, before we started math we did a song and dance, in language arts we did dancing definitions, and more! In addition to movement incorporated in learning, we also did heaps of brain breaks. We never sat for more than 20 minutes at a time. I love this hack because not only does it get scholars engaged, it promotes healthy habits/lifestyle and is brain aligned. Our brains actually function better and learn better after movement and exercise!
Sarah Rahrig
Culture and Trauma Informed Specialist
GVPLA
I love your idea of using a different movement for each step in division and dancing definitions. Definitions are a great way to incorporate movement. I think it is important that you allowed your students to move after twenty minutes. Anything longer than that is too much for students and they start to lose focus.
Delete-Courtney Sandmann (Main Prep)
I hope to incorporate turn and talk more this year. Last year, my scholars struggled with this concept. There were negative verbal comments and some scholars completely withdrew from activities if scholars did not “want” their chosen partner. When I allowed scholars to choose their partner, there was a lack of productivity. My goal this year is to try to incorporate this more by providing incentives to those who follow directives when working with other scholars in our classroom community. I also have multiple seating options but I had several scholars who were disrespectful of my personal property so I removed the privilege for my whole class. I clearly stated the rules of special seating and several scholars would intentionally break the rules. Because it was my personal property, it was a choice that I made. I attempted to slowly reintroduce seating options in February but we ended up leaving school indefinitely in March.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of stand up seating. After reading the hack, I started to look for a stand up desk to purchase. There are some very inexpensive desks but I realized that without knowing what school will look like in August I will hold off. I had several students last year that just could NOT sit for even short periods. The stand up desk is a great option that might curb “the wandering” scholar who no matter where they are seated, they are up and wandering around.
I teach 3rd grade. I try to incorporate movement often. If we are lined up in the hall, I will do whisper Simon Says. We utilize Brain Breaks like GoNoodle to begin different subjects. For instance, I typically start math with a Skip Counting (https://app.gonoodle.com/activities/skip-count-to-100) video. It is great for number sense and in third grade this helps with factoring because there are number patterns. I like some of the other ELA videos too. I find that choosing the same videos allows scholars who need to move with the opportunity to get the routine down. This time is better utilized because scholars know what is coming. I also try to find opportunities to have scholars cross their midline when we spell our weekly words. We do everything from imaginary basketball dribbles and shots to apple picking with a basket to traditional arm taps. Some times I take my class on “Field Trips” and we take the long way or a different way just to get a new "landscape" then head back to the classroom to be fresh and ready to learn!
Michelle Lisco, Middlebury Academy
I am glad to hear that my students weren't the only ones who struggled with some of these activities last year. Sometimes it is the personalities of the children, but I am hopeful that if I implement these hacks from the beginning of the year, then they will learn the expectations so we can do more throughout the year.
DeleteColleen Hanrahan, A+ Arts Academy
I too had trouble with my students doing the turn and talk and other activities that involved partners. They really are not kind when they don't want someone as a partner or don't do the work. I also do the gonoodle videos. The kids love them. "Don't Read Like a Robot" and "Wizard of Words" are their favorites.
DeleteChris Truesdell - Trix
I love to get my kiddos moving. It breaks up our day and allows students to be more active while they learn. I already use a couple of movement strategies in my classroom. The first movement strategy I use is letting students write their answer on the board. They love any opportunity to use the dry erase board and markers. Not only does this get my students moving, but it also gets more students engaged. I also frequently use the turn-n-talk strategy. Students love to interact with each other and as long as they stay on task, this is a great way to get students moving and discussing important concepts. One strategy I would like to implement next year is walk-n-talk. I think this would be a great way to give students exposure to new scenery while they are moving. This would be a great change of pace and seems like it would be easy for students to grasp. Classroom management would be critical and expectations would have to be clearly set.
ReplyDeleteFor the past two years I have taught first grade. I am unsure what grade level I will be teaching next year. Last year in addition to turn-n-talks, I did a couple of other activities to incorporate movement. In between different lessons or topics we would take brain breaks. GoNoodle was their favorite way to shake out the sillies and get prepared for their next lesson. We would do some yoga to stretch throughout the week. My reading and math centers also incorporated movement from each center to the next and at many of the individual centers.
-Courtney Sandmann (Main Prep)
I love turn and talk. It's such a great way to check for understanding as well as so many other skills such as asking/answering questions and building relationships.
DeleteI also use go noodle as a brain break. I love that go noodle has been adding more videos that are connected to skills that we may be teaching in the classroom.
In my past teaching experiences, I've used what was shared in "Hack 4-Kagan Strategies." Controlled,structured movement during morning and afternoon procedures as mentioned in "Hack 4" was key to rigor and engaged learning. Each of these techniques depend on the grade level, however. When I was a primary teacher, I enjoyed playing videos, i.e. Freeze, Head,Shoulder,Knees and Toes,utilizing wipe-off boards and "Turn-n-Talk." As a Reading Interventionist, I will continue to use wipe-off boards but look forward to incorporating Musical chairs in the new school year as way to actively keep students engaged all while moving and having fun!
ReplyDeleteMrs. A. Marsden
PLA@103
I loved that musical chairs activity idea too! Not only will it keep them interested and involved, but it will help them learn how to share their space.
DeleteColleen Hanrahan, A+ Arts Academy
I also really enjoyed the musical chair idea. I think that this could be wonderful for any age range. At the school where I completed student teaching, they required one kagan strategy per week. That isn't to say you couldn't use more but they required one in each subject per week. This seemed to really allow the teachers to structure their lessons in a way that made it seamless to use movement in almost every lesson.
DeleteAction 1: The two strategies that I have used quite often are turn and talk and having scholars act it out. In both my math and reading curriculum there are many times to turn and talk. In my reading curriculum there are many opportunities for scholars to act out things such as vocabulary, parts of stories and much more.
ReplyDeleteOne strategy I want to try next year would be musical chairs. Unfortunately I'm not sure if this will be possible due to social distancing guide lines.
Action 2:
I teach Kindergarten and movement is not an option. With attention spans that only last a few minutes at a time movement is essential. We have a lot of brain breaks such as acting out their favorite animals, playing charades with things that start with certain letters, go noodles, simon says, and much more.
I also love to use educational videos such as counting/exercising with Jack Hartmann.
DeleteI teach first grade and we absolutely love Jack Hartmann! I would also like to try to have my students act out more of our vocabulary words and story problems during math time.
DeleteBrittany Connett PLA@93
I taught 4th grade last year and I try to do brain breaks in between subjects so students can get up and moving. We use GoNoodle at our school and the students love it! They have certain dances that are just for fun, but they have other ones that help with concepts that the students can practice during these breaks as well. They love dancing and singing as a break for a few minutes.
DeleteAction 1:
ReplyDeleteOne of the activities I used often during my student teaching was the turn and talk. Many of the scholars really enjoyed doing this because it allowed them to chat with their friends and take minute away from "learning" while discussing the topic we went over. I really enjoyed this because it allowed for me to observe and see where my scholars were excelling and where they were still struggling. One activity from this chapter that I would love to try would be the musical chairs activity. I think that many of the scholars would love being able to walk around and take a minute in between questions.
Action 2:
I am currently not assigned a grade level but the movement component is key for any age. This is especially true for primary grades where their attention span is shorter and they have a more difficult time sitting still for long periods. During student teaching, I played lots of games and used board races where the scholars were able to get out of their seats in a structured fashion that allows me to manage and also allowed for group collaboration.
I do think it is important to get the students up and moving. My morning is all ELA and math and they get bored and frustrated. I have used the "Write it on the board" hack. The students that volunteer love it. The students sitting at their desks can start talking because they weren't picked. The musical chairs hack sounds interesting but I am not sure that we can do that this year with the social distancing and not sharing.
ReplyDeleteI teach third grade and I have done games on the white board with math facts and teams. I have the class broken into teams and I have one person from each team come up to the board. I show a flash card and the first person that writes the correct answer gets a point for the team. If I don;t have teams then the student gets to stay and the rest of students sit down and I pull sticks for the next group. I have also done a version of Password with sight words. The kids are always asking if we can do it again. I also love when I ask if they think that an answer is correct I have them raise a body part in the air like their left foot. It is fun watching them trying to get a foot or knee in the air. They laugh about it too.
Chris Truesdell - Trix Academy
Hi Kayedell,
DeleteI like your idea of passwords. I also use as part of vocabulary words. I used as access code to get in the classroom.
Your idea of raising a body part is a great idea, I will definitely use next school year. It seems very fun :) Thanks for sharing.
I think movement is so important in classrooms. I teach first grade, so it is important for my students to be able to move during the day. I try my best to have my students up and moving multiple times during our day. After morning work, my students are able to go to the carpet and pick an activity to work on. This allows them flexibility in what they choose to do and the are able to move around before we start our day. We also do centers when the students move around the room to their activities for the day. We also do brain breaks throughout the day. I would like to try to offer standing desks or more flexible seating options. I have tables where the students mainly sit to do independent work, but I would like to have more options.
ReplyDeleteBrittany Connett PLA@93
I agree that movement is incredibly important! I really like the idea of how you incorporate movement into their daily schedule by allowing them to pick where they would like to work. I am also planning on implementing flexible seating in my classroom this year and can't wait to see how it works out!
DeleteKelsey Barrix
PLA 103
Action 1:
ReplyDeleteThe learning activity I have used from this hack is “Turn and Talk”. Students seem to like a lot and are able to absorb from talking important facts to help with tests. Next school year, I would like to use “Walk and Talk" I can see the scholars looking forward to this activity and I am hoping to capitalize in their learning.
Action 2:
I’m currently a high school teacher. I teach Spanish so it is crucial that my students interact with each other so that learning occurs and students remain interested. Students act out language scenes, they like to work in teams and compete. As part of learning the Spanish culture they get to listen, sing and dance to songs. It is usually a good day when music is part of the lesson.
I personally think movement is crucial for classroom environments. I really try to get my students moving throughout the day so they aren't sitting in one spot too long. The learning activity that I have used from this hack is Think, Pair, Share. I have found that students really enjoy talking and discussing things with their classmates. I have also found that students have absorbed the information better when they are able to collaborate with their classmates.
ReplyDeleteI am currently a fourth grade teacher. I plan to implement different flexible seating options for my students. I also plan on implementing movement into station work. I really like the idea of acting out vocabulary words from above and may just use that this coming year! I also plan on implementing brain breaks. I have used those before and have gotten great results.
Kelsey Barrix
PLA 103
I currently use to the white board during math review, plus the students who are still at their seats work on their own white boards. I usually to different problems at a time. I would like to use the turn and talk for both math skill problems and for answering questions on comprehension from our weekly story. I have students come up to the doc camera to do our vocabulary sort and math problems. I have also done work the room (what I call it) where 5 to 6 questions mostly math are laid on the floor, students work the problem with a partner to answer the questions, them move to the next "station". Rotation ends when all students have completed all the problems. We then share our answers on the board or orally. It is interesting to see how differently and sometimes the same they solve the problems.
ReplyDeleteAction 1:
ReplyDeleteI have used Peer Tutoring in my class. The students are paired up with another student. For example in math class, I pair a stronger math student with a weaker math student. The pair decides where they stand or sit. Some pairs go to the dry erase board, while others sit on the floor. They can use small dry erase boards or paper, their choice. They love it because they get many choices and they get to get out of their seat and talk. I also give them a choice of students to choose from for their partner. I would love to get some stand up desks for my classroom. I have used them before and they are beneficial for students that cannot sit still. I will look into Donors Choose for purchasing these desks.
Action 2:
I would like to try acting out vocabulary with my students. We have weekly vocabulary lists and sometimes depending on the word we come up with some small movement for a particular word. But having the students paired up and working on this together would beneficial to students. It also benefits those students with this type of learning style. Our school has YAT (Young Actor's Theatre) as an elective, and I could see students incorporating their weekly vocabulary words in YAT. I will be sure to share this with our YAT teacher.
Mary Ann Staten
PLA @93
Action 1:
ReplyDeleteI have used turn and talk and brain breaks in my math classroom. It helps some students feel more comfortable participating in class when they have the opportunity to share ideas with their classmates.
Action 2:
I am currently a 5th and 6th grade math teacher. Next year I plan to implement walk and talk in my math lessons. I am excited to see how the students respond to even more movement during math class.
Anne MacDonald
A+ Arts Academy
Fair Campus
The walk and talk is a great way for scholar to be engaged and I believe they will be able to recall the concept because of this new learning procedure.
DeleteMackcine Jordan replies PLA@103
DeleteHey Ms. Anne,
Thank you for sharing, because this is one activity that I would like to incorporate into my school day.
Mackcine Jordan@PLA103
Action 1: One of the activities that I use from this week's hack is having the scholars come up to the board and write. I do this a lot with my math lessons especially. I give the scholars a few minutes to solve their work on a scrap sheet before I take volunteers. This is ensures that all of them are doing the work, but it also gets them more excited to solve the problem since they all want to get a chance to write on the board. A learning activity that I would like to incorporate next year is the walk and talks around the school. I want to try to incorporate this because it will give the scholars a change of scenery, fresh air, movement, and chance to discuss topics with their peers.
ReplyDeleteAction 2: I will be teaching second grade this next upcoming school year. I'll be the first to admit that I don't incorporate nearly as much as I want to or should which is actually one of my goals to work on. The reason why I sometimes shy away from the opportunity with using movements is because this past year I had the end/closing of one of my movement lessons go horribly wrong. However; after reading this hack I got a moment to really reflect on the activity and why it went south, and a large majority of the blame goes on me. I assumed that since my scholars knew the procedures and the expectations that they'd just do it. Instead I should have continued with my explicit instructions of how we were ending the activity, what was expected of them next, and releasing them in smaller numbers (I made the mistake of having them go all at once, rookie mistake). I usually try to have my scholars associate vocabulary words for ELA or math with a movement. I also do quick brain breaks during the day: shake your sillies out, stretch it out, dance break, ect.
Kayla Walker PLA@103
Action 1: My school implemented the turn and talk method, which is a great way to not only get scholars moving, but it also allows them the opportunity to talk.
ReplyDeleteAction 2: I am not currently a classroom teacher, however if I were I would use the hack that allows scholars the opportunity to walk around the school building and discuss angles or shapes.
Libby Taylor PLA@Jones Clark
ReplyDeleteMovement increases blood and oxygen flow, which affects cognitive development. It improves the structure of their brains. I find that movement improves attention and memory. Being a Dyslexia teacher I know that my scholars must get up and move. It doesn't bother me whenever a scholar needs to get up and stretch or even stand beside their desk. Also, they tend to score high on standardized test.
Mackcine Jordan @PLA103
DeleteDear Colleague,
Thank you so much for sharing the science behind movement! Excellent thoughts and I agree. Proud of you.
You are absolutely correct! Even as adults if we sit too long we become fatigued and tired. When delivering professional development I try to incorporate movement as well. Four corners and gallery walks happen to be two of my personal favorites.
DeleteLadonna Johnson, Texas
I have used gallery walk quite a few times and think pair share and turn and talk, and the scholars seem to enjoy these activities. I think four corners would be a great activity to try this upcoming year, especially for STAAR review questions. Last year, I taught 6th and 8th grade and I used the previously stated methods. The scholars enjoyed the activities even more when they could make it into some sort of competition. The only problem is that they would sometimes become loud or share their answers with their classmates before time.
ReplyDeleteI like Gallery Walks too, but agree that a few can ruin it for others. If I know a scholar might act out during it, I have them 'assist' another classmate and that usually helps keep them on track, (or just have them start their 'walk' by me.)
DeleteAshley Pierce - JRPLA
Mackcine Jordan PLA@103
ReplyDeleteAction #1: I have used “Turn-n-talk” as a learning activity. Not only is this activity helpful as a learning tool, but it releases me from doing so much teacher-talk. One learning activity that I would like to try is “Walk-n-talk.”
Action #2: As I reflect on my years of teaching, movement has always been incorporated daily as a teaching tool. I love to have students moving, singing, dancing, and chanting. If I have to move around the classroom, I expect the same from my scholars. I teach 3rd grade, we go on daily learning walks and talks usually after lunch. On a daily school-day basis, the students select one (1) scholar to be the movement leader along with me throughout our day.
Mackcine Jordan PLA@103
Action 1: Movement has always been a part of my classroom. We use gallery walks during reading to discuss the story and reading skills in small groups. I like these because it's a quick way for kids to get up and move, work in small groups, and still be able to hear from other classmates that are not in their group by reading the comments from each group. I like that we can leave them up for several days so everyone can continue reading the comments instead of just sharing quickly out loud.
ReplyDeleteAction #2: I teach 3rd grade and movement takes place throughout our day, every day. We've do turn-and-talks, gallery walks, we act out math word problems, move for centers, and take movement brain breaks. At least one of these is used during instruction daily and brain breaks occur multiple times a day. We use different parts of the room for instruction so students may move to the whole group carpet at some point, allowing them to stretch and walk around for a bit also.
Tammy Ahern- TBLA
Forgot to mention, the one hack I haven't used is musical chairs. It sounds fun and I would love to use it next year. I'm just not sure if it will be possible. Waiting to see what next year holds...
DeleteHello Tammy, I would love to learn more of gallery walks. I like the idea of using pictures/visuals to enhance the learning process of understanding the story. I agree with you also about the small groups and hear comments/questions from other scholars. This I know makes learning fun and exciting.
DeleteClarissa Price PLA@Jones Clark Elementary
Tammy, I too like the musical chair idea, even for middle school. However, I see several issues with it, especially like you mentioned, we have no idea what the coming school year is like. Ideally, I think it could be a great activity to spice up a lesson. If you numbered the chairs, you could even turn it into a review game by calling a certain number each pause & having various students answer questions about the topic at hand.
DeleteAshley Pierce
JRPLA
One hack that I have used in my classroom in the past is the standing desk. This helped a lot of my students be successful because they just were not able to sit down and work. It allowed them to move around and not interrupt other students in the classroom. It helped with a lot of my behavior issues with those students. There were certain times that they knew that they had to sit down, but any other time they knew that they could stand up if they needed to.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of letting the students come up and write on the board. I have used this a little in the past, but I would like to use it more often. I believe that when the students are able to play a bigger part in the lesson, they are more engaged. From my experience, the students love writing on the board.
I have also used the standing desk. Some students only need the space next to their desks to pace around while thinking. The think, pair, share works well in my classroom too. Students become more involved in classwork when they can bounce ideas off each other before saying them aloud to the large group. I will incorporate more of the TLAC strategies in the 2020/2021 school year.
DeleteMichelle Fendrick A+ Arts Academy
Corie,
DeleteI've never tried having my students stand at thier desk for a whole lesson. When they work with a partner or in a group they seem to stand more than sit. I think next year I will try to have a lesson were students have an option of sitting or standing. My studnets like working on the board too. Sometimes my other students get restless if they are watching the student at the board.
DeEtta Crane
Greater Heights Academy
Yes Corie, I agree that letting students write on the board keeps them engaged in the lesson. I also let every student have a whiteboard to keep them engaged in the lesson. Angela Posey @PLA 103
DeleteAction 1: At the school where I work we were introduced to turn and talk and think, pair, share. I have used turn and talk in my classroom and look forward to incorporating more of the TLAC strategies in the future. It is a useful tool to get scholars more involved in learning and socializing with peers to make connections to show understanding. I also tried write the room which is one not listed here but is another great teaching tool. I would like to get more information and see four corners being used in the classroom so I can try this teaching strategy.
ReplyDeleteAction 2: I teach a self contained class grades K-5. I use learning centers in my classroom. Scholars move from one learning center to another while listening to instrumental music.
Clarissa Price PLA@Jones Clark Elementary
Hi, Clarissa, I have used four corners and it is not as hard as you think, You come up with a question and four answers. Then you tell students to go to the corner they think is correct. It can also be used for opinion questions, feeling, etc. I would be cautious, because some students are followers and you can have some skewed data. Turn and talk is fun for most grades. Have a wonderful upcoming school year.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteAction 1: Four corners and turn and talk are one of my favorite activities, which I learned to apply by reading Teach Like a Champion. Students enjoy and with the four corners it is a quick CFU. I am interested in learning how to implement teaching on the road (Walk/talk), not sure how I will do with social distancing, but I look forward to adapting it. Teaching outside with the walking and keeping 6 ft might be an option.
Action 2: I have always had moving centers no matter what grade I teach, the students love it and it supports their academic journey. This last year I taught Kindergarten. Some centers the students sit at a desk, some they write with dry erase markers on a board, there is always a teacher table, and a center with manipulatives. They are fun and students learn at their own pace.
Anna Christina Luna-Harbert
PLA @ 103
My students at my previous school LOVED 4 Corners! We also played Heads-Up-Seven-Up occasionally. Who knows what it'll be like come August, but kids really do benefit from taking breaks and moving around.
DeleteTricia- Middlebury Academy Akron, OH
Action 1 - I've used a Gallery Walk before with my students when my previous school was using the Engage NY curriculum. They seemed to like it and I usually paired different groups up during the Walk so students were able not only to get up and move around, they were able to interact with a different set of peers than when they would sit back down in their seats. One learning activity I want to try this coming school year is researching stand up desks & seeing if they would work in my classroom. I know several of my scholars prefer to work standing rather than sitting, and it is often the students who move the most who enjoy them. Working at a standing desk might actually help curb distractions throughout class.
ReplyDeleteAction 2 - I taught grade levels 7th-10th last year and I believe 7th-8th this coming year. I incorporate movement in my classroom by strategically placing supplies around the room, having students get their devices by group or some other common characteristic, and having them conference with me separately as needed when it comes time for grades, prior to a quiz, or to turn in a larger assignment to go over what still needs done.
Ashley Pierce
JRPLA
Chapter 4 The Importance of Controlled Movement In the Classroom
ReplyDeleteMy students move to another classroom for half of their classes. They move to go to specials. In my classroom my students move to work with a partner or work in small groups. They love it when they can work with another student. When they are in their groups they don’t have to stay in their seat, they are allowed to move around the area.
I love Turn-N-Talk, students don’t have to get out of their seats. They can quickly come back together. I liked the blueprint that outlines the steps for brainstorming ways to get students moving. I agree that the key to controlled movement sessions has to be well planned out and structured.
I find that students learn more from each other. Once I explain the skills for the day. My students work together to master the skills.
DeEtta Crane
Greater Heights Academy
I YouTube "desk dances" and I had my 7th & 8th graders paticipate; even the boys who were reluctant eventually joined in.
ReplyDeleteStudents would sit in their desks and we'd do breathing exercises and 1-2-3-4 count arm exercise with enough room not to hit anybody. I still plan to do this as it's a great way to break up any monotony and re-energizes us.
Tricia- Middlebury Academy Akron, OH
I agree those activities are a great way to break up monotony and re-energize students. My students last year loved doing breathing exercises!
DeleteAction 1: I have used a couple learning activities from this hack write it on the board, and turn and talk. One learning activity I want to try this upcoming school year is musical chairs depending on how the next school year looks with social distancing. I also thought walk-n-talk sounded like something I would really like to incorporate as well.
ReplyDeleteAction 2: I teach kindergarten so movement is a constant must with the little ones. My centers always include flexible seating, different manipulatives, and multiple areas in the room.
Dottie Lerche- PLA @103
action 1: I have tried the turn and talk. They like doing this one. They can talk about a topic and come back to session without =much effort. Since we are in a very small room and close together there isn't much room to actually move so they just turn and talk.
ReplyDeleteAction 2: I teach Special Education Resource K-8. We are in a very small room that doesn't leave much room for movement. But I do occasionally have them come to the board to work a problem and they ALL seem to come to the board and work the problem together. Which is fine. They do some of their best collaboration this way. It gets them up and moving (they also pace) and working together or a goal. It gets some that don't usually want to participate motivated to be included and they actually will learn it.
I also allow them to teach each other, which motivates many.
Kay Clabaugh
TLJA
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your idea of heaving them teach each other. Its amazing how well they receive the info from a peer. I used that when I taught a 3/4 split. The 3rd graders were struggling with a concept so I had the 4th graders teach it to them in groups. Both classes benefited from the experience.
DeleteLisa Roark
GHA
Action one: One learning activity from this hack that I have used throughout the school year was turn and talk I like the walk and talk activity, so I do believe I would definitely be using that one.
ReplyDeleteAction 2: I try and incorporate movement in many subjects as possible. An example in Reading, if I'm teaching a skill like word families, I would go to YouTube, etc. and find a video related to it. If I'm teaching addition, I would also find a video that's related to it. I try to incorporate movement not just those subjects but many other subjects. I like using movement in as many subjects as possible because it definitely has students more engaged in their learning. Scholars love singing and dancing, this is great to have fun while learning.
Deborah Dominick
PLA @Jones Clark Elementary
Angela Posey PLA@103
ReplyDeleteAction 1- I have always though it was very important for students have movement while learning in the classroom. I have especially enjoyed using the four corners, think, pair, and share, and having students to write on the board.
Action 2- One activity that I would like to try next year is Musical Chairs. I think this would be an effective way to help students review for tests and for guided practice.
Action 1- I use turn and talk often with my kindergartners. They really like that they have a voice and the small movement satisfies most of the "wiggles" during a 10 minute lesson.
ReplyDeleteAction 2- I am excited to try walk and talk. That is something that we could do even if we cant go outside, We could use indoor spaces and they would still get their movement. I also have a few areas in my K room that have desks that are big for my kiddos. Some of them choose to stand and work at them. I will check into making more" standing desks" available.
Lisa Roark
GHA
Lisa,
DeleteThe stand and work desk provide great opportunities for students to move at will without disrupting classmates, especially because they are usually set to the side or the back of the classroom. The walk and talk is a great strategy. Another strategy similar is to walk and talk is “chat stations,” which I found on www.cultofpedagogy.com.
~Charmaine Jennings, PLA Training Specialist
Action #1: I love using the jigsaw activity, especially 3rd-12th graders and adults. The strategy permits more content to be shared with higher levels of engagement, accountability, differentiated content, process, and grouping. The teacher is the facilitator of learning and not the sge on the stage. I want to try to utilize the fishbowl strategy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVCFGLVZA3w). This would be the next level of adding discussion after the jigsaw teaching process.
ReplyDeleteAction #2: I teach both scholars and adults so movement is important for both groups. I utilize the following: Vote with your feet, Four Corners, Take off-touch down, Jigsaw, Mix-Pair-Share, Turn and Talk and Stand/Hand/Pair up. Every 10-15 minutes I attempt to include movement.
~Charmaine Jennings, PLA Training Specialist
In my career as an educator, I always created ways for my students to move around the classroom. I found that movement helped keep the student engaged in the lesson I was teaching. One of my favorites was Think, Pair, share. Students loves to talk to one another. This gave students a chance to talk to each other without being disruptive in the learning environment. The strategy that I would love to see implemented in classrooms are whiteboard-whip out activity.
ReplyDelete