Movement is an important part of each day – Including the school day! Here are some simple (yet effective) ways to get your students moving while they learn by including physical activity in your classroom.
After all, teaching elementary school is so much more than just teaching subjects like Math, Literacy, and History (etc). We must also make sure that our children’s needs are being met so that they are ready and able to learn. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs shows us how to just that! It’s also a reminder to meet our children where they are at, in order to teach in a way that applies to them and allows them to flourish.
One of my favourite ways to ensure these needs are being met is through dynamic teaching that is sensitive to individual needs. So many of the needs in this chart can be reinforced through physical activity, too! Keep reading to see how.
* Below is a super cute rendition of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs from Etsy seller LovelyLane Prints. I’m definitely adding this to my classroom decor wishlist! You can buy this print here.
BTW: If you’re looking for an in-depth explanation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, I would highly suggest checking out Dr. Saul McLeod’s post over at Simply Psychology.
During Introduction Week
Icebreakers are such an easy (and fun!) way to get your students physically active while creating a strong classroom community that provides a sense of safety and belonging/love. Here are a few of my favourites:
One Ball/Three Ball Pass
I first learned this game while reading one of my university textbooks, Hearts and Minds Matter: Creating Learning Environments Where All Students Belong, by Jackie Eldridge and Denise McLafferty. This book is now one of my favourite teacher resources and is definitely a staple for educators looking to create inclusive learning environments. The whole first chapter focusses on how Maslow’s work can be incorporated into the classroom, and let me tell you – I can’t wait to use their ideas in my future class!
Remember how I talked about Maslow’s Needs? This specific game was under the “Love, Belonging, and Acceptance” needs section of our textbook, and rightly so. But, it’s also a quick and easy team-building game but can be used as an active brain break!
Okay, so how do you play? Simply gather your students and ask them to stand in a circle. The teacher then calls out a student’s name and tosses them a ball (or any soft/easily caught object!). Whoever caught the ball gets to take their turn next, picking a fellow student and calling their name. In order to let everyone know they’ve had a turn, the children who catch the ball put their hands behind their backs once they’ve passed to another child.
P.S.: This is best played multiple times in the first week or so of classes! Playing it multiple times will help your students learn each other’s names and faces.
P.P.S.: If your class really loves the game, you could switch it up and play this as a skills refresher, too. With a litte creativity, you could use this for recalling information for any subject! The possibilities are endless.
Stretch it Out
Let’s keep Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in the back of our minds, for now, and move on to other ways we can ensure our students are feeling comfortable and engaged in the classroom. For example…
Sometimes, you just need a good stretch! Starting your day with just five minutes of stretching is a great way to help your students calm their bodies and encourage focus on their academic work. Whether you’re guiding them or it’s a self-led activity, this is a super quick way to encourage physical activity in your day.
Another favourite of mine is The Learning Station’s Brain Breaks over on YouTube. I’ve linked a fun example there for you to check out, but so many of their videos are excellent for short breaks that get your kids doing simple yoga when they need a few minutes away from the books.
Go Outside!
I’ve always believed that hands-on learning should be engaged whenever possible. Not only do children get a break from the classroom, but they get to forge a relationship between what they’re learning in class and the world around them. So many subjects can be taken outside, which naturally means they’ll be moving, too!
A few examples: For Math they could practice measurements or graphing. For Geography they could observe the physical environment and could collect artifacts to write about/research. For Art you could have them collect objects for imprinting/stamping, or for creating nature collages. I’m hard-pressed to think of a subject that can’t go outside, honestly!
Brain Breaks: What’s the Hype?
Kinaesthetic movement is a great way to up the energy in your classroom while re-centering your student’s focus. By taking just a few moments to put the books down for some physical activity in the classroom, you can totally shift the day’s dynamic.
Going back to what I learned in Hearts and Minds Matter, I’ll always cherish the importance of including short exercise breaks whenever the class needs a mini-break. In the book, Jackie Eldridge and Denise McLafferty offer a long list of ideas that can be used in the classroom – Everything from Unstructured Playtime to Getting to Know You Charades and Follow the Leader! I can’t stress enough how effective these are for all ages. Just make sure you’ve adapted any physical movement to the needs and abilities of your students!
This is all to say that we should be taking the time to provide low-risk, fun, and engaging physical activity breaks during instruction time.
Another great (and simple) way to encourage movement is by using a game like these Brain Break Dice from WainBough Co. over on Etsy. Either the teacher could roll the dice or students can rotate taking turns. BTW: If you check out the “You May Also Like” section on the bottom of the page, you’ll also find tons of other great resources for your classroom!
Flexible Seating
Though not really physical activity, flexible seating belongs here in my opinion! Not all students learn best by sitting at a traditional desk and chair – and that is okay! Including alternative options allows for increased comfort and the ability to incorporate movement during times when you need your class to listen.
Many of the Teacher-Gram influencers I follow showcase how you can make your classroom more inclusive through alternative seating. If you’re like me and have been dreaming of your classroom setup since you were in one yourself, definitely go check out Excellently Brewed in Elementary – Her classroom is goals!
These can be as simple as exercise balls, Hokki Stools, or even comfy chairs and couches! The goal is just to make your space as welcoming and comfortable as possible. For all of your students.
Dance Party!
I’ve used this tons while working with pre-school aged students and nannying. I just love seeing all of the amazing dance moves that kids create and the big smiles on their faces when they get to dance out their sillies!
Also, let’s face it, sometimes your classroom gets a little bit rowdy – So why not positively channel this energy into some dancing?! Pick a volunteer to request an appropriate song, put it on, and dance all of your energy out with your students! This is an awesome way to reset your class in a fun way – No planning required!
There you have it, folks! A few simple and fun ways to add physical activity into your classroom. I’d love to hear any ideas you may have, too! So please, comment or DM me on Instagram & let me know what works for your class!
Thank you for reading ♡
Also, if you’re working on creating a more inclusive classroom, take a look at my other post Words to Describe Children: Language Matters!
