WANT EVEN MORE HEALTHY IDEAS FROM SHAPE YOUR FUTURE?
As an educator, it can be a challenge to hunt for engaging ways to inspire learning in the classroom. One powerful tool that’s often overlooked is movement! Physical activity can have a huge impact on student health and focus.
How Movement Impacts Our Brains
Healthy living impacts every part of our body, including our brain! The same holds true for kids of all ages. Movement:
- Improves focus: Short bursts of physical activity — or brain breaks — can help students concentrate better on their tasks. It gives their minds and eyes a moment to relax away from the tablet screens and whiteboard. They’ll return to their task or lesson refreshed and recharged.
- Improves memory: Physical activity helps students focus and retain information. After all, you want students to learn the material. Physical activity can help their brains process what they’ve learned throughout the day.
- Reduces stress: Movement eases stress, creating a more positive learning environment. This is an especially helpful tool leading up to state testing.
- Increases engagement: Active lessons require student participation and give them fewer opportunities to zone out or doodle.
- Boosts overall health: Regular physical activity contributes to students’ overall well-being, which also impacts their academic success.
Add Movement Into Your Lesson Plan
Our customizable PowerPoint template is designed to combine learning and physical activity. This template can be adapted for different grade levels, subjects and activities. Choose the exercises that fit your room’s size and layout best, and let the fun begin!
How To Use It:
1. True or False Questions: Add your true/false statement to the PowerPoint and select your exercises. Students perform one exercise for true answers and a different exercise for false answers. For example, they might run in place for true and do squats for false. Add the correct answer on the following slide.
Image Copy: True or false: George Washington was the first president of the United States.
TRUE
Image Copy: True or false: Insects have 8 legs.
FALSE. Insects have 6 legs.
2. Multiple Choice Questions: Add your question to the PowerPoint and select your exercises. Then, add answer options to each exercise. Students perform the exercise that matches their chosen answer. Add the correct answer on the following slide.
Image Copy: Which of these animals is a mammal?
- A) Shark
- B) Elephant
- C) Pigeon
- D) Frog
- B) ELEPHANT
Make It Your Own
- Customize the questions: Replace our placeholder questions with content from your current lesson. Don’t be afraid to use the template for different subjects!
- Add your own flair: Change background colors, adjust the length and add or delete slides as needed.
- Match it to your students: Modify the movements based on your students’ needs or your classroom setup. If you have a small classroom, stick to stationary exercises. If your students are looking for more of a challenge, mix it up!
- Add it to your routine: Use this activity in a way that makes sense for your classroom. For example, create an activity that includes stretching before your morning lesson — or pump up the cardio in the afternoon to scare away the afternoon sleepies. Whenever you find a good routine, stick to it!
- Encourage participation: Create a positive, judgment-free atmosphere where all students feel comfortable moving. Maybe turn off the lights to eliminate embarrassment or turn on music to boost the energy.
Outside the Classroom
The benefits of physical activity extend to every part of our students’ lives. When we make learning more active and enjoyable, we’re helping students associate physical activity with positive experiences. Kids also need 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Moments like these may be the only time kids get to move and be active.
A little movement can go a long way in creating an effective and engaging learning environment. We’re not just making learning more fun — we’re helping to build habits that last a lifetime!
Ready to energize your classroom? Download our free “Let’s Get Quizzical!” template. Looking for more ways to encourage healthy habits at school? Check out our age-appropriate posters below.
