The Edutopia Poll
by Sara Bernard
In spring 2006, obesity researchers at the Mayo Clinic produced an innovative design for the classroom of the future: It has no chairs, uses "standing desks," and incorporates movement into every aspect of classroom activity. The assumption behind the design is that, due to ever-rising rates of obesity and ever-shrinking time for physical education in schools, students benefit -- both physically and academically -- from constant movement during the school day. Proponents of this idea suggest that kids need and want to move, that they can still learn while doing so, and some may even learn better this way. However, constant movement could interfere with classroom structure and distract students from academics. Do you see the benefits, or the drawbacks, of movement in your classroom? We're interested in your opinion.
7th grade sports
Submitted by K (not verified) on April 8, 2008 - 12:06.
I know this doesn't apply to the poll...but could I get some feedback on a project I'm doing? SHOULD 7TH GRADERS BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL SPORTS? Please give you opinion & supporting facts. Thanks a lot! ~K
As a physical education
Submitted by Amanda (not verified) on January 24, 2008 - 16:45.
As a physical education teacher, I think that any movement that the students can fit into their daily routine is GREAT! The students at my school participate in physical education for 1 hour a week! So, out of almost 40 hours a week of being in school they have a structured one hour of movement. This idea of involving movement into academics is a good idea. Classroom teachers can definitely incorporate movement into their lessons. Unfortunately, the amount of movement that can be incorporated is probably not that much. We need to start putting some pressure on the parents and push them to help their children stay fit outside of school!
I responded to the blog and
Submitted by Lisa (not verified) on January 27, 2008 - 12:26.
I responded to the blog and I have yet to see it post. How long does the process take?
Physical activity can improve student focus.
Submitted by Lisa (not verified) on January 27, 2008 - 11:13.
I also teach physical education. I believe that increasing the physical activity of our students can only have positive affects. Our Phys. Ed. program is fitness based. The students work daily on improving their fitness levels in four key areas: core strength, upper-body strength, flexibility, and cardiovasculare endurance. After they complete their warm-up/conditioning work they move into recreational sports or lifetime activities. We have our students for forty-five minutes every day and we try to keep them moving for the whole period. Sixth graders often come into the program struggling, but soon are able to notice their improvement. By the time they leave us after eighth grade, they are well on their way to understanding the importance of an active lifestyle.
Activity releases endorphines in the body which make us feel better. If we feel better we will be more likely to engage ourselves in the activity of learning.
Some students have excess energy, and if it is not utilized in a positive way it could be untilized in a negative way. How can they sit still at their desk and concentrate on what they are reading, if they need to move? A morning fitness club that takes a mile jog before school could really benefit some students and teachers as well. Do you have a sucessful program at your school? Please let me know your thoughts or ideas!
Middle level PE
Submitted by Ed (not verified) on March 21, 2008 - 19:50.
This is great!!! I am also a physical education teacher for grades 3-8. This year I am implementing a more fitness based program to my older grades. I believe strongly that this is the way our programs will be going towards. Keep up the good work!
It sounds like you have a
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 2, 2008 - 16:02.
It sounds like you have a very beneficial program at your school. The school that I was recently at was very similar to yours. There was three areas of physical education that they had to take, those included; physical fitness, team sports, and aquatics. I loved the way that the program was set up; it truly pushed the students to work and incorporate fitness into their daily lives. I am now teaching at a catholic elementary school and the program that I came into is very different. It has taken me all year to get the students to stop asking me to play dodge ball!!!! I have been working hard to incorporate all the elements of a quality program, but I just do not see them enough throughout the week for it to be truly beneficial to them.
I try to get them excited about fitness using incentives such as "fit-bucks." Students earn “fit-bucks” for participating and reaching their goal for that specific class. They can then exchange their "money" for fun fitness toys (jump ropes, balls, water bottles, etc.) or the whole class can combine their money to "pay" for an extra period of physical education class. It seems to really motivate the students, especially the younger ones. Any other incentives you use to motivate your students?
As a drama teacher, I see
Submitted by Marta Bivins (not verified) on December 15, 2006 - 00:00.
As a drama teacher, I see everyday, even in High School students, that physically acting out ideas and concepts helps the ideas and information stay with students longer-- and they enjoy it more.
I think the type, kind, and
Submitted by Roger White (not verified) on December 14, 2006 - 08:21.
I think the type, kind, and intensity of physical movement is critical to whether or not a certain physical activity will improve focus and relieve stress. Some types of activities are too competitive; others may require individual a skill proficiency that individual students might lack eliciting reactions from peers that are counterproductive (ie "He throws like a girl" . . . "She just can seem to get the right dance step-sequence, she's just plain clumsy, shouldn't she be in the back row?", etc), and still others that allow strong individual skill domination of one group over the individual group members of the opposing team vis-a-vis cooperative team participation that emphasizes joint effort and participation where winning is not the focus.
Thus, I think a regularly scheduled physical education program that is both robust and varied is essential in creating positive results that are likely to carry over to the classroom learning program.
We have systematically
Submitted by Jim Kilkenny (not verified) on December 15, 2006 - 16:33.
We have systematically dismantled all out door activities for our students. So, it is of little use to speculate why we would consider activities important. Some of us speak about disruption and self-discipline problems after a PE class. Heck, most people 30 years ago argued against required PE in school. Parents and teachers litigated recess, lunch breaks that let kids walk home for a hot lunch and extended recess when they returned as too possible for bad things to happen. Note: What bad things? Look at the activity level of young kids today. Maybe physical activity would provide focus if it wasn't an instant of joy in a kenetic learner's dau.
I am in total agreement that
Submitted by Joe Rodriguez (not verified) on December 15, 2006 - 16:22.
I am in total agreement that by having a student moving around the learning process is enhanced. The one thing to keep in mind is that activities need to be structured so that the student's movements are meaningful to the learning process. I am a high school teacher and I am always having my students working on mini projects and helping each other with ideas and view points. I did away with the desk in my room a long time ago and replaced them with tables. There have been times when we have even stacked the chairs out of the way becuase they were not being used
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