Hey teachers! Are you looking for ways to improve your classroom management? Have you tried just about everything under the sun, whether it be yelling, nagging, taking away privileges or implementing a rewards system? Well I have news for you! Teachers agree: the implementation of daily physical activity into instructional time improves student behavior and attentiveness throughout the day.
Now I know what you’re thinking: How on Earth am I going to find the time to incorporate an additional twenty minutes of physical activity every day? All five of us have recently completed our first practicum, and we have realized that the classroom runs at breakneck speed. Let’s be honest- teacher’s are faced with a lot of pressure, whether it be over standardized testing or the fact that teachers must accomplish a large amount of academic progress in the limited frame of the school day. However, we believe that no matter what the size of a teacher’s classroom is, or the strict curriculum guidelines, there are always creative ways to bring daily physical activity to the classroom.
Easier said than done right? I am sure many of you are reading this thinking “Of course physical activities are great for classroom management, however how do I keep the students behavior from getting out of control?” No problem! Follow these full proof tips and you can thank me later for your student’s good behavior in class!!
Tip # 1: Shorten the time frames in which you do your activity. Instead of completing the required twenty minutes of daily physical activity at once, have two ten minute breaks or four five minute breaks throughout the day.
Tip # 2: Set out the rules and expectations of each activity before starting.
Tip # 3: As soon as you notice that some students are getting off topic, redirect the class by beginning a new physical activity. Keep a copy of activities and stretches in your desk so that you are never scrambling for ideas!
Tip # 4: Provide an alternative activity for students. If a student has an exceptionality or is not particularly interested in the activity you have selected for the day, provide them with other options. For example, chair squats.
Tip # 5: End each physical activity break with a breathing exercise. After exercising, try saying to students “concentrate on how your body feels, you are now energized, focused and ready to learn.”
Tip # 6: Make sure you model to students how to efficiently transition from a daily physical activity back to their classroom work. To avoid wasting time transitioning from your DPA activity back to your lesson, ensure that you lay out the procedures and expectations at the beginning of the year.
EXERCISE HELPS STUDENTS STAY FOCUSED! CHECK OUT WHAT IVERSON ELEMENTARY IS DOING IN THEIR SCHOOL TO KEEP STUDENTS FIT........WHAT ARE YOU DOING????
Posted by Meagan Harrington
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