Physical Activity Research
So why physical activity? Research shows that "movement can make the learning process more efficient because it makes more pathways accessible to learning and memory than with with a traditional model, involves more sensory engagement, making learning more accessible and paying attention easier, and makes recall easier" (Kuczala, and Lengel p. 20) Therefore, if you'd like to see your students more engaged with the material and help them remember what you taught, include physical activity at the beginning of your lessons, and in transitions from activities.
John Ratey, author of "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain," discusses his book and why aerobic exercise is essential for the brain.
http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/104013/chapters/Movement-and-Learning.aspx
This link provides information from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum regarding movement and learning within the classroom. Eric Jensen, the author of "Teaching with the Brain in Mind," explains in simple terms how the systems in the brain are influenced by movement. It is a text that all teachers should consider reading when implementing physical activity in the classroom.
http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/learn-how-exercise-benefits-the-brain
This website explains the benefits that exercise has on the brain. Why include exercise and physical activity in the classroom, if it does not benefit the students in any way? By reading through the information this website offers, educators can understand why exercise is beneficial for all students.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/index.htm#3
The Center for Disease and Control explains why healthy students are better academically than those that are not healthy. This link also provides various resources for extended research on this important topic facing our educators and students today.
http://abllab.com/wp-content/themes/abl/doc/abl-handout.pdf
Jean Blaydes Madigan writes about Action Based Learning and the importance of incorporating movement in the classroom. The handout discusses the benefits of physical activity and provides a link to the website Action Based Learning, an approach for educators to follow to provide opportunities for students to move more.
This link provides information from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum regarding movement and learning within the classroom. Eric Jensen, the author of "Teaching with the Brain in Mind," explains in simple terms how the systems in the brain are influenced by movement. It is a text that all teachers should consider reading when implementing physical activity in the classroom.
http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/learn-how-exercise-benefits-the-brain
This website explains the benefits that exercise has on the brain. Why include exercise and physical activity in the classroom, if it does not benefit the students in any way? By reading through the information this website offers, educators can understand why exercise is beneficial for all students.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/index.htm#3
The Center for Disease and Control explains why healthy students are better academically than those that are not healthy. This link also provides various resources for extended research on this important topic facing our educators and students today.
http://abllab.com/wp-content/themes/abl/doc/abl-handout.pdf
Jean Blaydes Madigan writes about Action Based Learning and the importance of incorporating movement in the classroom. The handout discusses the benefits of physical activity and provides a link to the website Action Based Learning, an approach for educators to follow to provide opportunities for students to move more.