11/16/2013

Do you think that physical activity affects the children academic performance? Can you create better relationships which children when you are active in their play/work?

I have visiting my host classroom since October, and I personally enjoy being with the children in this classroom. Each child is unique they have their own little personality and they are full of energy. I have been observing the classroom aid. She is a little bit detached from her children. One of my goals was to involve teachers in the children’s play. She was not willing to participate in any of the activities that the teacher has presented. I feel weird because when I go there to visit, the children begin to talk to me and they involved me in their activities. The assistant teacher keeps her distance and she speaks to the children more like a mom than a teacher. I would like to ask my colleges if they know how I can help her create better student-teacher relationship. I know that this is so important because can contribute immensely to a student’s long-term feelings about school, attitude toward learning.

 Learning about my topic, child obesity, has helped me to become a better teacher. From the National Association of Sport and Physical Education website, I learned the importance of integrating physical education through the day; they suggest that teachers should create opportunities during the academic classes to break from sedentary activities like reading and writing. They suggest that the children’s brain would learn more is the body gets physically active. Providing at least five minutes of movement at the beginning or in the middle of class can help children to stay focused and will kick off their learning process

How exercise may affect executive functioning (Spark Org, 2012):

·         Increased oxygen flow to the brain

·         Increased brain neurotransmitters)

·         “[Increased] brain-derived neurotrophins that support neuronal differentiation and survival in the developing brain.” Neurotrophins assure the survival of neurons in areas responsible for learning, memory, and higher thinking.

What is an active classroom?

 In an active classroom physical activity  is provided to  students throughout the school day as part of their academic activities.  Physically activity should be incorporated into daily lessons to reduce “seat time.”

 Examples of active classroom activities include:

• Physically acting out stories (such as “First Kid on the Moon” “Where’s Going on a Bear Hunt”)

 • Invisible jump rope, with the number of jumps determined by the answer to a math problem6

 • Bending, stretching, and using yoga poses to demonstrate how joints and muscles work7

 • Navigating a spelling bee obstacle course.

 • Simulating a marching band playing to music. 

• Dancing

Example:

In our classroom children made a long chain during small group time.  We saved the chain they made and we use it outside to jump rope. It was a lot of FUN!

References

NASPE. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/teachingTools/upload/PA-During-School-Day.pdf

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/how-physical-activity-affects-academic-performance/

My Personal Advocacy Journey

My Personal Advocacy Journey

Through all these weeks I have been learning about the importance of advocacy. Advocacy can make people change the way they think, and as teacher we have the great potential to make a difference in the lives of children, families, and communities.

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body; it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”
John F. Kennedy 

Life is busy and being a teacher with more than 30 children a day can be challenging. We get caught in the daily routine, but little changes in the way you teach can make a huge difference in your personal and professional life. I get inspired by other teacher in my work place. They have lost weight and they are trying really hard to get fit.  It excites me to see them interacting with their children on the floor, playing outside and using story time where the children need to do the motions and movements.

 The problem I have and what really worries me about my advocacy plan is that I am not doing it at my school. I am doing it in someone else’s classroom and the parents of my host classroom do not know me very well. The staff at this school is getting use to see me there, but not the parents, and I do not know how many of them will show up to my final meeting. I believe in my host teacher and her relationships with her families. She encourages me, and I know I have her support, and that helps me to deal with my negative emotions.

I hope that everyone in this class have a great time learning to become an advocate. I wish my peers the best with all the writing, planning and running their final meeting. I feel that everyone is doing their best efforts and that counts.  Good Luck!