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Getting kids moving helps them learn! Today I’m here guest blogging to show you three ways to maximize learning for busy kids.
If your students are like mine it is best to keep them active so they can use up all the energy they seem to have in endless supply. I have so many kids that seem to be in perpetual motion. So rather than working against that I have found a way to embrace it.
Hello, I’m Christina and I blog at Hanging Around In Primary. I share all things that relate to teaching in K-2. You can find my blog {HERE}
So how do I harness the energy and keep my students learning? Here are 3 quick tips.
1. Provide them with a way to move that is not disruptive.
A number of my students use wiggle seats or little fidgets when we are on the carpet. By having a chance to move their hands or to shift their bottom a bit they are more content to be on the carpet and engaged in the lesson. Using these supports takes some training and expectations. The use of each item needs to be very clear. However, once students are comfortable using them then you should see those energetic kids manage better on the carpet.
When working at their tables some of my students are always standing up or constantly falling out of their chairs. I have put what I call a “bounce band” around the front legs of the chair. These students can stay seated and bounce their feet to get the sensory output they need but still sit safely in their chair. Alternatively, these students can choose to stand and work.
2. Let them walk and work!
Who says you need to stay seated to work? I do a lot of read and write the room activities in my first grade classroom. My students take a clipboard and move around the room to complete the activity. I find my high energy kids really buy into this. Click on any of the images below to check out some of my Read and Write the Room activities.
3. Brain Breaks!
One word – GoNoodle! When your kids are getting squirmy it is time to put on a GoNoodle brain break. We love them all but are especially fond of the KooKoo Kangaroo ones. Now if your kids get more energetic after a brain break I have a solution too. We usually follow our “get your wiggles out” brain break with a calming brain break like “Flow”. This usually works to settle everyone and get them refocused to return to the task we took a break from.
I hope these tips help you and give you a few more ideas on how to help those active kids in your classroom learn. You can maximize learning for busy kids with these three ideas. Thanks for stopping by!
Christina Hermer is a 1st Grade teacher in Ontario, Canada. She has been teaching since 1994 and has had the good fortune to work with 1st graders for many of those years. She enjoys creating curriculum resources for learners that are hands-on and engaging, which can be found in her TpT store. Christina loves to share about how she uses those resources in her classroom and other practical teaching tips on her blog Hanging Around in Primary.
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