Get Your Students Moving More
With obesity becoming an epidemic in the United States, Physical Education teachers play an increasingly vital role in the lives of our young people. For some students, physical education is the only time in the day where they get any exercise. As a result, finding ways to keep students moving is extremely important. Here are a few ideas to maximize the time you have with your students and to get them excited about moving:
1. Play Music. Kids love music. Who doesn’t? Playing upbeat music energizes students as they participate. If you are doing an activity where kids have to wait their turn, or there is some dead time, you may find that students will keep moving if there is exciting music playing. Dancing, jumping, wiggling, are all ways kids can get the “jitters” out in a healthy way at gym class, and it keeps them active too!
2. Utilize Stations. Setting up exercise stations enables more kids to be involved at one time. Continuity is important here so students know what to do as they move from station to station. Stations don’t have to require a lot of set-up or complexity—make a basket at one station, do 20 jumping jacks at another, do a couple of stretching exercises at a third. Come up with activities that more than one person can do at a time so that everyone can be involved and moving at the same time.
3. Move More Yourself. Kids will respond to your activity level. If you encourage them to be active, while standing still or sitting down, they will pick up on it. Be enthusiastic about what you are doing that day. Do their exercises and stations with them! Consider wearing a lanyard that can have your keys and id attached to it so you can be free to move about. Designed lanyards and badge holders can make the functional fun. For a more jewelry-like look, consider beaded lanyards for badges. You may wear sweats and a t-shirt to work every day, but beaded lanyards for badges are a way you can bring some style to your attire. If you aren’t into style, consider themed, designed lanyards and badge holders with your favorite sports team or inspirational quote.
4. Give Incentives. Reward students for being active. The incentives don’t have to be expensive—a shiny new pencil or a few stickers (no candy!). Assign a set of awards every class such as the Spirit Award, Good Sportsmanship, Following Directions, Staying Active, etc.
5. Help Classroom Teachers Stay on Schedule. It is hard to keep your kids moving if your classroom teacher forgets to bring your students. If you have a teacher that often loses track of time, be prepared to go down and get your students or to call down to her room. Develop a good rapport with classroom teachers and remind them of when you have their kids.
6. Vary Your Activities. Don’t play kickball every week. Find ways of incorporating other subject materials into physical activity. Research has proven that retention is enhanced when learning is combined with physical activity. Consider how you might incorporate math, history, or science into being active. Take the kids on an adventure through the human heart, through the solar system, or through Lewis and Clarke’s expedition.
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