Abstract
Incorporating movement into elementary school lessons in reading, math, and other subjects can boost students’ interest and academic learning while also helping them meet recommendations for daily involvement in physical activity. In a recent study, researchers found that students in classrooms where movement was integrated into regular lessons, students showed greater engagement and interest than did peers in nonmovement based classes. The article describes five strategies for incorporating movement into elementary reading and mathematics lessons.
|
Adams-Blair, H., Oliver, G. (2011). Daily classroom movement: Physical activity integration into the classroom. International Journal of Health, Wellness, & Society, 1 (3), 147–154. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
|
Ainley, M., Hidi, S., Berndorff, D. (2002). Interest, learning, and the psychological processes that mediate their relationship. Journal of Educational Psychology, 94, 1–17. Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
|
Braniff, C. (2011). Perceptions of an active classroom: Exploration of movement and collaboration with fourth grade students. Networks: An On-line Journal for Teacher Research, 13 (1). Google Scholar | |
|
Brophy, J., Alleman, J. (1991). A caveat: Curriculum integration isn’t always a good idea. Educational Leadership 49 (2), 66. Google Scholar | ISI | |
|
Browning, C., Edson, A.J., Kimani, P., Aslan-Tutak, F. (2014). Mathematical content knowledge for teaching elementary mathematics: A focus on geometry and measurement. Mathematics Enthusiast, 11 (2), 333–383. Google Scholar | |
|
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) . (2013). Comprehensive physical activity programs: A guide for schools. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Google Scholar | |
|
Erwin, H.E., Beighle, A., Morgan, C.F., Noland, M. (2011). Effect of a low-cost, teacher-directed classroom intervention on elementary students’ physical activity. Journal of School Health, 81 (8), 455–461. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Erwin, H., Fedewa, A., Ahn, S. (2013). Student academic performance outcomes of a classroom physical activity intervention: A pilot study. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 5 (2), 109–124. Google Scholar | |
|
Hidi, S. (1990). Interest and its contribution as a mental resource for learning. Review of Educational Research, 60 (4), 529–552. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
|
Hidi, S., Baird, W. (1986). Interestingness: A neglected variable in discourse processing. Cognitive Science, 10, 179–194. Google Scholar | ISI | |
|
Hidi, S., Renninger, K.A. (2006). The four-phase model of interest development. Educational Psychologist, 41 (2), 111–127. Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
|
Lee, S., Burgeson, C., Fulton, J., Spain, C. (2007). Physical education and physical activity: Results from the School Health Policies and Programs Study 2006. The Journal of School Health, 77 (8), 435–463. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Martin, R., Murtagh, E.M. (2015). Preliminary findings of Active Classrooms: An intervention to increase physical activity levels of primary school children during class time. Teaching and Teacher Education, 52, 113–127. Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
|
UK: Grammar Dance . (n.d.). www.teachingchannel.org/videos/teaching-grammar-with-dance Google Scholar | |
|
Vazou, S., Gavrilou, P., Mamalaki, E., Papanastasiou, A., Sioumala, N. (2012). Does integrating physical activity in the elementary school classroom influence academic motivation? International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 10 (4), 251–263. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
|
Wright, B. (2010, 5 25). Math dance (obtuse, acute, straight and right). PE Central. www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ Google Scholar |

