Working Harder to be Smarter!
Action Based Homework
Your Brain Likes to Exercise
Did you know that exercise affects the brain? Exercise can make you healthier, happier, and even smarter. For students, the recommended amount of time for exercise is 60 minutes a day. Some students are able to get 20-30 minutes a day in with recess or P.E. But where are you going to fit in the rest of the time? We would like to show you some ways to sneak in exercise with the homework that the students already have to do. Any exercise or movement that you can incorporate into a child's daily life is beneficial. Memory retention and recall dramatically improve when movement is added. Being physically fit and active prepares the brain for learning by balancing brain chemicals that can improve cognition. We can boost the brain function by exercising.The students will not only finish their homework, get in the remainder of the exercise that is recommended, but also retain more of the information that has been learned. Let us show you how to work harder to be smarter!
Swat a Word
On a shower curtain write all of the letters in the alphabet in or out of order. Using the child's weekly spelling words, say a word out loud for the child to hear. They will take the flyswatter and swat each letter of the word, spelling it correctly. If you do not have a shower curtain or flyswatter available then you can use chalk and write the letters on the ground and have the child hop on each letter.
Bounce and Skip Count
Take a any kind of ball and bounce, throw, catch, etc. and skip count. Skip count by 2's, 3's, 5's or whatever number you would like. You can also work with a partner and take turns skip counting.
Sight Word Exercise
Write the students sight words on index cards. Show and say the word to the student at first. Then the child will jump, hop, touch his toes, etc. and repeat the word. After practicing the words multiple times, wait to see if the child says the word on their own. If they are still struggling say the word for them.
Make a Ladder
On the ground make a ladder. You can draw it with chalk or use tape. Write numbers in the squares and have the child hop, walk, etc. and say each number out loud. If they know their numbers then you can add math problems and have them tell you the correct answer. You can actually use the ladder for any academic skill. You can use it for sight words, math problems, learning the stages of a butterfly, etc. Be creative.
Number Ball
Take a ball, like a football, and write numbers all over it. Person A throws the ball and Person B catches it. Person B is going to look what number is under their thumbs. You can have them identify, add, subtract, or multiply the numbers. After the answer is given they throw it to Person A and they do the same thing.
I like Math
This game is similar to Paper, Rock, Scissors. You need to determine if you are using one hand or two and if you are adding, multiplying, or doing fractions. Two or more people will stand facing each other and say "I like math" and then each person will display a number using their fingers. The first person to figure out the answer shouts it out.
Word Ball
Take a beach ball and write the sight words for the week on it. Person A throws the ball and Person B catches it. Person B is going to look what word is under their thumbs. They will read the word and if you want to add in an extra step have them use it in a sentence. After the answer is given they throw it to Person A and they do the same thing.
Find a Word
Take sight words written on index cards and spread them out on the floor. Read the word out loud to the student and then have them go get the word and bring it back. They walk, hop, run, jump, etc. to get the word.
The Great Math Shoot Out
Using a basketball goal and basketball at your house or at the park, play a game of around the world or just have fun and shoot the ball into the basket. Before you shoot you have to solve a math problem that is given by the adult. If there is more than one student, the first person to solve the problem correctly and make the basket "wins". You could also practice sight or spelling words in the same way. If you do not have a basketball goal or live close to a park use a garbage can or toss an object into a designated spot.
Alise Lamoreaux
Email: alamoreaux@pasadenaisd.org
Website: sparks.pasadenaisd.org
Location: 2503 E Southmore Avenue, Pasadena, TX
Phone: 713-740-0744
Summer Bradley
Email: sbradley@pasadenaisd.org
Website: genoa.pasadenaisd.org
Location: 12900 Almeda Genoa Road, Houston, TX
Phone: 713-740-0592