Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
10/21/13
Westwood Action Lab....
Mr. Suarez's class was in the lab this morning at 8:15. This is a great time for his class since his Specials time is after lunch.
A new study in the Journal of School Health found that physically fit kids scored better on standardized math and English tests than their less fit peers.
Researchers examined the relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement "in a racially and economically diverse urban public school district of children enrolled in 4th through 8th grade."
The results showed that the odds of passing both math and English standardized tests dramatically increased as the number of fitness tests that were passed increased, even when controlling for gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status.
“For families and schools, these results suggest investments of time and resources in physical activity and fitness training may not detract from academic achievement in core subjects, and, may even be beneficial."
Westwood Action Lab....
Mr. Suarez's class was in the lab this morning at 8:15. This is a great time for his class since his Specials time is after lunch.
Neuroscience tells us that the brain shifts its attention and focus about every 90 minutes. Even a short break from focused concentration allows the brain to consolidate information for better retention and retrieval of memory. When a human sits for longer than 20 minutes, the physiology of the brain and body is altered because gravity has pooled blood into the hamstrings and has robbed the brain of needed oxygen and glucose, i.e. brain fuel. The student loses focus and attention and can easily become sleepy or restless. Everyone, students AND teachers, can benefit from a fitness break.
This article appeared in the Texas Elementary Principal and Supervisors Association Journal: Instructional Leader.
Physically Fit Kids Do Better In SchoolThis article appeared in the Texas Elementary Principal and Supervisors Association Journal: Instructional Leader.
A new study in the Journal of School Health found that physically fit kids scored better on standardized math and English tests than their less fit peers.
Researchers examined the relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement "in a racially and economically diverse urban public school district of children enrolled in 4th through 8th grade."
The results showed that the odds of passing both math and English standardized tests dramatically increased as the number of fitness tests that were passed increased, even when controlling for gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status.
“For families and schools, these results suggest investments of time and resources in physical activity and fitness training may not detract from academic achievement in core subjects, and, may even be beneficial."
October 24, 2013
Today Ms. Elias's class visited the Action Based Lab for the first time. The students had a great time going through the stations. It was interesting to see that their heart rate was raised at each station and they grew more tired as they rotated to the next activity.
Research shows that children learn better if they can move because movement provides the brain with fuel in the form of oxygen and glucose, increases spatial awareness, engages the body in static and dynamic balance which aids focus and attention, integrates coordination of the body with organization of thoughts in the brain's hemispheres and uses repetitive body movements to train the brain in sequencing patterns.
"Students engaged in Action Based Learning improve memory retention, reinforce academic concepts, balance brain chemicals while experiencing whole-brain, whole-body learning. Educational research suggests that about 85 percent of school age students are predominantly kinesthetic learners."
Go Ms. Elias's class Go....
Today Ms. Elias's class visited the Action Based Lab for the first time. The students had a great time going through the stations. It was interesting to see that their heart rate was raised at each station and they grew more tired as they rotated to the next activity.
Research shows that children learn better if they can move because movement provides the brain with fuel in the form of oxygen and glucose, increases spatial awareness, engages the body in static and dynamic balance which aids focus and attention, integrates coordination of the body with organization of thoughts in the brain's hemispheres and uses repetitive body movements to train the brain in sequencing patterns.
"Students engaged in Action Based Learning improve memory retention, reinforce academic concepts, balance brain chemicals while experiencing whole-brain, whole-body learning. Educational research suggests that about 85 percent of school age students are predominantly kinesthetic learners."
Monday, October 21, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Beginning the Journey in the Action Based Learning Lab...
This year at Westwood Elementary we have created an Action Based Learning Lab. The students are enjoying going through the stations and think they are just there to have fun, but in reality they are getting their brains ready to learn. Our goal is to improve student learning on our test scores.
This is an example of students going through the stations:
This is an example of students going through the stations:
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