As I stated yesterday on my Facebook page, it's critical to get our students moving especially after a break. Here are 10 quick ways to add movement in your classroom!
- Keep it Up- Have students stop "working" and quickly play a game of beach ball volleyball. Have students toss around a beach ball around the classroom not allowing it to hit the ground.
- Stand Up- As you are teaching new information, have students who are answering questions stand up if they know the answer. Make sure to wait a few minutes to allow other students to come up with the answer as well.
- Task Card Rotation- Need to review some information you taught prior to the break? Create task cards for students to practice these skills. Put a variety of different task cards in various spots in the classroom (set up like centers) and have the students move around answering the questions.
- Surf the Web- Go to Gonoodle.com. It has great brain break activities.
- Core Fitness- When you notice you are losing your students, stop and get them out of their seat doing any type of core fitness- sit ups, push-ups, wall sits, jumping jacks, and/or lunges. Get that blood flowing!
- Dance Party- Students love to dance even in 6th grade! Play a current song and have a dance off. Do it weekly and give out prizes!
- Whistle While They Work- Need the classroom picked up? Have the students whistle to a song while they clean up!
- Charades- Have students act out concepts being taught in the classroom. Great for visual learners!
- Power Walk- Put those coats on and head outside for a quick power walk! Even 10 minutes will help students refocus!
- Mindfulness Activity- Sometimes, students are stressed out when they get back from their vacation. Teaching students deep breathing techniques can help them learn how to deal with pressure and stress.
I hope these give you some fun new ways to add movement to your classroom!
Happy 2015!
