Course Description: There is a very clear, disturbing correlation between sedentarism and depression, inability to focus, attend to instruction, and learning outcomes… AND between sedentarism and high-poverty, high-minority schools. This has to change, and this course raises awareness of the vast benefits of exercise and movement for optimal whole-person health and learning outcomes. This course serves to improve classroom communities, socio-emotional health, as well as learning outcomes through strategic integration of movement and exercise into core instruction, and is of increased importance in the online/blended learning spaces. “Exercise is the single most powerful tool that you have to optimize your brain function” (John Ratey, 2013). Regarding Culturally Sustaining-Responsive Education practices, Geneva Gay (2018) specifies that multi-sensory stimulation in teaching, such as movement, has been proven to better engage traditionally marginalized and underserved learners, support them to overcome obstacles such as disinterest and restlessness, and help them to better understand concepts and thrive in school. No matter one’s learning preference, physical exercise throughout the school day is beneficial to all learners, at the level of health as well as academic achievement. In this course the value of movement and exercise, with the benefits it provides to learning, health (including physical, mental and social health), behavior and classroom management in the classroom, and even educators’ ability to thrive in the teaching profession, are all explored. In addition, ways to incorporate movement into instruction in all content areas and across content areas are taught and practiced. The course ends with participants sharing an approach to learning involving physical exercise: a game or other physical activity that promotes learning, in/across specific content areas, based on educators’ roles and current students’ needs. Specific ways to apply content to online and blended learning environments is provided for increased equity and access, especially due to recent pandemic events. |
Restricted: No |
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CTLE Area: Pedagogy |
Grades: Pre-K,K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
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