GE Texas Newsletter
March 2015
"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."
--Martin Luther King Jr.
Brain Breaks, Instant Recess and Energizers
Well-developed breaks can help students stretch, develop flexibility, improve coordination, and gain focus for the next lesson. The idea is to provide some moderate activity that gets the blood pumping so form and skill are not the focus of activity breaks. Some movements can also incorporate core academic concepts. Look over the websites below to get ideas on what physical activities you can use in your classroom without losing valuable instruction time.
While moving with students, reiterate these points to emphasize the importance of daily physical activity:
1. Kids should get 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
2. Being physically active helps us learn better so we can do well at school!
3. Kids should spend no more than 2 hours each day in front of a screen. This includes watching TV, playing video games, cell phones or computer time.
Instant Recess offers an evidence-based model designed to improve health and learning by Central Michigan University providing carefully developed 10 minute physical activity breaks into the school day. These can be done in class room or as an all school activity at designated times. Available on DVD with pamphlets about fitness in 10 minutes bouts.
Energizers are classroom-based physical activities that integrate physical activity with academic concepts. These are short (about 10 minutes) activities that elementary teachers can use to provide physical activity to students, developed as part of the North Carolina State Board of Education's Healthy Active Children Policy.
TAKE 10! ® is a classroom-based physical activity program for kindergarten to fifth grade students. The curriculum integrates academic learning objectives (in language arts, math, social studies, science and health) with movement. Materials contain safe and age-appropriate 10-minute physical activities.
Classroom Brain Breaks Pinterest Board is a collection of our favorite brain break activities. Brain breaks range from yoga in the classroom to a wheel of warm ups. Get students excited about brain breaks by allowing them to choose the daily activities.
The websites associated with these programs provide information about how to use the materials and program components to greatest advantage. Classroom teachers should be given choices as to which materials they will try with their students. Teachers will initially introduce the physical activities to students and eventually allow selected students to lead the activities each day.
Inclusion tips:
Brain Breaks, Energizers, Take 10, and Instant Recess are all done individually by all students in a class setting, therefore variations in body parts used, speed of movement, and number of repetitions can be easily adjusted for mobility limitations or low fitness students.
Efforts should be made to provide students with disabilities choices about activities and stories that reflect their interests and needs. Teachers working to support specific disabilities will be most familiar with the capabilities of their students and can provided reduced repetitions, different positions, extra reinforcement and guidance without interrupting the movement of the students without limitations. Once classroom routines are established, the energizers and activity breaks will become familiar to all students including those with disabilities. Again these are short bouts of activity that will not be limiting to medical, social-psychological, or cognitively challenged students. The students with mobility and sensory limitations may be assisted to develop adaptations that they will use each time the class does these activities.
Mobility: Some of the activities may be done from a seated position allowing mobility challenged students to participate with peers or doing similar motions with hands/arms as others are doing with feet legs. Aids may be able to support guided stretching for students with severe motor impairments.
Sensory: Students with deafness, speech, self-management or cognitive problems may be able to participate fully in a follow the leader manner. These are very short periods of activity and done in groups of fewer than thirty so students are able to keep up to peers. Supervision by the teacher is easier in the confined space of the classroom.
PE teachers may make suggestions for modifications that facilitate participation of all students.
Action for Healthy Kids
Nonprofit organization
Founded: 2002
Brain Breaks
Energizers
GE in the News--eSchoolnews.com
More schools using technology to teach character skills
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2015/02/19/character-skills-847/?GE Life Principle and Quote
Definition: Recovering from or adjusting easily to misfortune or change
Related Quote: "Consider the postage stamp: It secures success by sticking to one thing until it gets there." -Author Unknown
Related Fable: The Oak and the Reeds (P:80)*
Literature Connection: Comet’s Nine Lives by Jan Brett
Seven Chinese Brothers by Margaret Mahy
GE Summer Intitutes in N Texas
Keller ISD -- July 7-10
To register for one of our dynamic institutes, please visit our website.
March Dates to Remember
March 9-13 Spring Break
March 17 St. Patrick's Day
Debbie Kerrigan--GE Representative and Instructional Coach
Email: debbie@geok.org
Website: greatexpectations.org
Location: 1269 Fox Hunt Trail, Willow Park, TX, United States
Phone: (682) 226-1985
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Great.Expectations.Foundation
Twitter: @djkerrigan