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Gregory and Chapman stated, "For the brain to work at it's optimal best it must be in an environment which is considered non-threatening or free."
Go to http://www.brainrules.net/ and watch video clips: Rule 1: Exercise and Rule 7: Sleep
After viewing the clips, post responses to the following:
1) I wonder...
2) I predict...
3) Does any of this information remind you about a personal or classroom experience?
The Five Beliefs and Forces Behind Homework
16 years ago
207 comments:
1 – 200 of 207 Newer› Newest»I wonder how to incorporate exercise in each content area?
I predict that as research continues to develop our classrooms and daily routines will change. In my classroom I try to do critical thinking activites to "tease the brain". I also do a physical activity with the cardinal directions to get the student's blood rushing. :)
I wonder what the study would about what difference a nap would make if they were to do the same study on a young child versus a pilot.
I predict that when including exercise and a nap in a child's daily routine, they will be active, alert, and ready to learn!
Everyday, we do some sort of exercising activity to get the students' minds going. It always catches their attention and wakes them up a little!
I wonder why some teachers do not allow students to go to recess.
I predict that after watching these videos teachers will surely incorporate some exercise between lessons.
I can see the difference between my first and my second class. I start teaching them right after lunch and I can tell that they are tired and unwilling to work, so I try to interesting activities to keep them focus.
Movement is very important to the learning process . . . even if it is having a little recess. It is needed for adults or children. It is a good brain stimulator as well as good for the body just simply to move a bit.
Hi again everybody!
Before you "leave" would you share with me the ways you introduced the icons to your students. I want to do a better job of it next time and need some ideas please.
Thanks!
I wonder why recess and nap time is eliminated from the curriculum as the students get older, if there is so much research that says it's beneficial for them.
I predict that if we were allowed to take our studetns to recess every day and let them take a nap, they would perform better, rememeber more and be more attentive.
I try to keep my students moving throughout the day, but sometimes I feel its not enough. I think education needs to meet the students needs first, before anything else.
I wonder if it would really help if my students were to take a mini nap after lunch.
I predict that if I were able to incorporate more exercise into my daily shedule, my students would be a bit more awake/alert.
These videos remind me of myself because I am a person who LOVES naps, and I also need to get up and move around a lot. I am unable to sit for long periods of time, and sometimes I do not always remember this about my students.
I wonder why recess is limited and even why teacher elimineted it.
I predict that if students receive 20 minutes recess and short breaks, they will be more active and focus.
I try to keep my students active, angaged and focus doing creative and hands on activities after lunch when they are getting tired. Make them escersise helps a lot!!!
I wonder what I can do to bring exercise in the classroom other than those 10 horrible minutes of recess which does the students no good.
I predict that if we allow students to routinely exercise and take "mini vacations" during the day we miht see in improvement in test scores, behavior and grades.
I started making my students exercise because I learned that their age determines their attention span (9 years old= 9 minutes...) so I started having my students move around every 10 or 15 minutes. Even if it is to just find another shoulder partner or what not.
I wonder why it is uncommon for movement to be incorporated into lessons? What better way for a kinesthetic learner to learn than to MOVE (act out, march, etc.)?
I predict that if teachers were to incorporate more movement into lessons that they would see immediate results.
This reminds me of my orchestra students! The discussions we have before playing are often the most difficult and draining part of class. As soon as the students have an instrument in their hands and are allowed to play it, they are immediately engaged and ready to learn. Their interest is evident in their facial expressions, responses, and performance.
I wonder why so many parents do not take an active approach on their child's sleep. I know many parents that allow their child to stay up late at night watching TV. Sometimes the child falls asleep with the TV on. I think this is having a negative affect on the child.
I predict that in due time, classrooms will incorporate more movement since all research is indicating that it is extremely beneficial for the brain.
I think movement does boost the brain. I have noticed with my students after recess they seem to be more alert and more focused on the lesson.
I wonder why naptime is only in Kindergarten? Seems that we could all use a nap in the middle of the day. At least, I know I could!
If someone gets plenty of good rest during the night hours is the urge to rest/nap during the day still as strong (is the "sleep army" as aggressive)?
Becky Smith
I also wonder why some parents don't take a more active approach on making sure their child goes to bed at a decent hour in order to get plenty of sleep. This would not only benefit their child and us as teachers, but they would see the benefits at home as well.
I completely agree that exercise and sleep combined helps both children and adults learn and retain information. They just help you feel better!! I predict more movement activities in my classroom will help my students to stay awake, alert, and focused.
In my classroom I see some sleepy children first thing in the morning, so since I can't make them go to bed at a certain time at night, I can include the movement piece in my lessons.
This reminds me of when I was younger and my teachers always had us stand up in the middle of a test to stretch and then get back to work. I never understood why, but now I do it with my students to get their brains working and awake again.
1) After reviewing the Brain Rules information, I wonder why the siesta isn't adopted in more countries. And, why it's going out of style in some places! More rest equals better productivity. There's a lot of research that shows a short power nap does wonders for mood, performance and morale.
2) I predict that I'll use more movement in my lessons moving forward.
3) Personally, the information on sleep resonated. As a college student, I always did better on tests when I allowed myself to sleep. Even if it meant forgoing some last minute cramming. Staying up all night usually meant I would forget at least some of the material I studied.
I wonder why I have not implemented more movement into all my lessons. I predict I will be including more movement during my lessons. While reading a story, I had the students act out the action words and new words they just learned that day. It was quite fun!
I wonder why teachers take away recess when the students really need to run around.
I predict they would behave better in the classroom if they had time to burn a little energy.
I know my kids respond much better when we do large motor activities.
I wonder... how I could mix excersise in with content areas other than the ones I already do this with.
I predict... that the further along the research gets, the easier it will be to make these things possible in our classrooms.
There are several times throughout the weeks (and each day) that I do atleast one or two activities to stimulate not only the minds of my children but the muscles as well. Sometimes when I read a book to them, in stead of just having them sit there, I play a musical chairs game with the words that i am reading to keep them paying attention and also to get them to use their bodies at the same time.
I wonder why education has moved in a direction where we are almost forced to cut out movement and creativity.
I predict that students would preform much better if we had the time to constantly be moving and to at least take a small nap/rest.
I try to get my students moving as much as possible through acting out stories, doing jumping jacks to math facts, etc.
I wonder why we don't implement excersice in the classroom as part of the curriculum. It would be a great way to get students up and moving and getting those wiggles out.
I wonder why a lot of schools do not encourage recess. It's a great release for kids.
I predict that research will continue to show these results, and eventually administrators will listen.
Many of my students share beds or sleep on air mattresses. Therefore they get very little actual sleep. I can see the impact it has on their work.
-I wonder if there are ways to incorporate exercise and movement activities into my reading curriculum.
-I predict that if teachers are allowed the freedom to be creative and add activities that involve more movement, then many students will understand the concept that is being taught, only if that is their primary learning style.
-The Rule 1 video reminds me of how much more alert I am in meetings when the presenter gets us up and moving.
I wonder how we could incorporate more physical activity in the classroom so we could improve learning.
I predict that if all people (students and teachers) got more sleep, they would be more active learners.
I require my students to set up and put away band equipment before and after each rehearsal. It is part of the routine.
I wonder how to use this in the classroom.
I predict that routines in the classroom will change.
In my class I often have to stop what I am doing and get the kids up and moving. After they do this they are more receptive to what I am presenting.
I wonder why some parents allow their children to play video games from the time they get home to the time they go to bed, rather than going outside and exercising their bodies/brains.
I predict that I will try to incorporate more physical activity and will increase my pacing during lesson.
In the morning my class gets revved up with some fast-paced exercises that force them to pay attention to my directions.
I wonder why we can't have nap time after pre-k. . .
I predict that if I were to take my class to recess everyday and incorporate movement activities in my class, students would be more active and alert.
I have noticed my class needs to be moving in the mornings so that they are more focused.
I wonder what short activities/exercises I can do in the classroom to get the kids moving.
I predict the kids will be more alert and engaged if they get to move around every 15 minutes or so.
In the afternoons, when I notice most kids are getting tired and wondering around I will get students up and moving.
After seeing the video I agree whith keeping active and exercicing the body since it helps to open our minds and to make the learning process less boring.
I wonder why recess and movement is taken out of student's daily schedule as they get older. I also wonder how I can integrate more movement into my classroom.
I predict that if older students were given more opportunity for movement or short "power naps", they would be more attentive in class.
In the morning in my class we usually have some for of movement, we call it "wiggle time", in which my students can "shake out their wiggles" for a few minutes through stretching, dance, etc. It usually helps them focus more and they aren't as fidgety when they finally sit down to learn.
I wonder why teachers and some principals don't like movement to be incorporated into lessons? Some say because it gets too noisy. Others simply because they say it is dangerous, what if a kid falls down or is pushed by someone else; something might happen to the kids if they get hurt and everything that happens in the classroom is the teacher's responsibility.
I predict that if teachers incorporate more movement into lessons that they would see better results in the learning. As a result, I predict that students would be more engaged in the learning.
This reminds me of my kinder class. I was teaching them the parts of a plant. I told them we will be a plant: our head will be the flower, our body the stem, our hands the leaves and our feet the roots. They were so happy and engaged dancing and moving each part of a plant. Allowing movement in this lesson, they were immediately engaged and ready to learn.
Ana Perez
I really enjoyed the brainrules tips and tried to make sure I find activities that will keep my students lightbulb on at all times. Great tips, love the website.
I wonder why in schools those are the first things cut?
I predict that things will go back to the "good old days" when this testing phase doesn't show the results expected.
It reminds me of when I was in school and people took an interest in you as a person and your well-being.
I wonder why kids enjoy moving around after lunch? I predict that a child that moves around learning songs and rhymes as they learn in science, reading and language will remember what they learn better.
The article about recess reminded me about when I attended elementary school we had to stay in the class if we didn't do our work. This helped me stay focused on getting my work done. I use to help other people get theirs done so they could play. All of our grade level had recess at the same time.
I wonder why in schools those are the first things cut?
I predict that things will go back to the "good old days" when this testing phase doesn't show the results expected.
It reminds me of when I was in school and people took an interest in you as a person and your well-being.
I wonder how long it will take for me to feel at ease incorporating these skills in my classroom. I have always used a little of this and a little of something els that I have learned.
I predict as time goes on everyone will learn different ways to teach the brain as research continues to develop and learn about the brain.
I am always lookin in the past comparing it to the future. I offten us the phrase that multitasking is what I do best. However, The research stated that the brain function best doing one thing at a time. I bought the book so I could learn more. I am almost always put in positions where I have to wear more than one hat at a time. I just do what I can in the time span that I have to get the job done. However, this causes me to do some of this and some of that. I remember when things were not that much different from what is being done today. When I went to school with my brothers and sister because my mother had to work I was reading before I was old enough to attend school. I wanted to compete with them. Picking cotton was a hard task that I did well because my mom bragged about me picking so much at the age of nine. I would pick one hundred and fifty pounds a day. I always wanted her to be proud of me so I worked harder. I still like working. I just don't get the praise. It just makes me feel good to know that I am helping someone.
1. I wonder if my students would retain knowledge better if I were to incorporate movement in everything I taught. 2. I predict that scores will in fact come up if I allow for more movement and rest opportunities. 3. I currently use movement during skip counting (elbow to opposite knee)and ABC's (jump on vowels) and the kids seem to really enjoy it. I need to think of creative ways to do this with other subjects.
The last class was very interesting, I really enjoyed the brain research segment. I walked away with creating clear rubrics and challenging student to go further. I hope,though,using rubrics that G/T and any other labled student will think outside the box and go beyond.
I wonder if allowing the students to exercise twice a week for the appropriate amount of time and giving them a nap each day really would make a difference.
I predict that if I tried it myself, I would see a positive change.
I know that from personal experience, as tired as I may be at the end of the day... exercising always boost my energy level.
I wonder why some adults function with less sleep. I predict exercise for all Americans will reduce will time. This explains when students come to school grumpy and ill prepared to work when they do not have enough sleep the night before.
I wonder why recess time is only 15 to 20 minutes and only some days we can have recess. Why don't we have P.E. more often?
I predict that in a couple of years technology will incorporate screens or computers that will be power by exercise.
The videos make me reflect as a parent and as a teacher. I will make my students move more.
I wonder if I allow my students to exercise after each assignment would their comprehension improve.
I predict that I will exercise more.
This remind me of my day,I feel weak and sleepy by 1:30 every day.
I wonder if the school district would consider allowing students and teachers to take a 45 minute nap to improve performance.
I predict in the future that parents will be charged a fee if their child falls asleep in class.
I have always wondered why I just wanted to drop dead around noon time. It is because my body wants it and needs it naturally.
I predice that in the future, HISD allow all grade levels to have a thirty minute nap after lunch. I believe it would benefit not only the students but the teachers will be rejuvenated for the home stretch till the end of the day.
This reminds me of why I always took a nap when I got home after work. I was naturally exhusted. Of course, this only happened before I had kids. Boy, those naps were amazing as soon as I got home. Oh how I wish for those days sometimes.
Love this scientist and his work! He is so interesting and keeps it simple and real! I have always wondered about sleep and the brain - I always feel that I perform much worse after a poor night's sleep. ALso, I definitely hit a tired place at 2 -4 p.m. It makes you wonder if kids shouldn't all be given recess a that time. I also watched the segment about the stressed brain - this reminded me most about being a new parent and how marriages undergo stress when a new baby comes along. I found it very interesting that he says that if you want your kids to be smart, you should come home and love you spouse!!
I wonder why there are some schools that have cut the rest time and recess from grades as early as Pre-K. Children need time to rest their brain and bodies from an entire of day of learning and moving.
I predict that if they include these things, the children will function, learn more and be more tuned in to their education.
I will definitely incorporate more physical activities in my classroom!
I predict that if I incorporate more physical activities in my classroom my students will be very alert.
I wonder why I kept all these years ignoring my grandpa's advices about taking a nap and going to sleep early. Once again, eledrs are wise!!! Another thing that I wonder is why the school systems move more and more into the direction of cutting physical activity in the classrooms, we are making our kids less capable of learning.
I predict that in a few decades (and with the right research) we will be able to understand how our brain works and will develop its full potential. (it's a shame I won't be alive to experience it)
From my classroom experience. I've always consider moving and recreation as a fundamental for learning and human development and I will continue fighting to have my kids get some recess, not as a prize but as a fundamental part of their learning. I don't think it's fair to cut recess to an elementary school child for any reason and that's one of the strong reasons why. Thank you Dr Medina for your insights. I wish you could stop by many schools in america and open eyes around about all the things we have been doing wrong!
I wonder when administrators and policy makers will allow teachers to fully teach the way that researchers tell us to- in this situation, give us more PE and full recess!
I predict as our focus narrows in on objectives and tests our time allotted for exercise will dwindle even further. And when a child is at school from dawn to dusk (practically) without recess or PE, when are they going to get exercise?
A few years ago I had a fabulous mentor who actually happened to be very interested in brain research. She taught me that whenever the students were getting sleepy or were spacing out, I needed to get their blood moving. She taught me some great exercises that could be done quickly in small spaces that were based on brain research- working with the two sides of the brain. I use them a lot and it really does seem to help jump start that brain mid-morning on a Monday!
1) I wonder just how more productive and smart we could be if we would all take more steps to exercise! We would all be as Benjamin Franklin said- more or less- healthy, wealthy and wise instead of with bags under the eyes.(!) It would increase our test scores which is something that is constantly sought after. Alot of the health issues like obesity, diabeties, heart conditions, etc. would not be such a problem nor would there be so much money having to be spent on health care. It would make us a more productive nation. 2) I predict that as more teachers and students get educated concerning this research, that we will see a trend toward these better healthier bodies and minds and the society as a whole. 3) One personal experience that came to mind were the very late night study cram sessions while in college and the information being fresh in my mind while studying but not being able to remember alot of it during test time because of lack of sleep. Another time was this evening going home and passing a street because I was tired, not enough sleep where I was supposed to turn even though I saw it coming up. And lastly, not sleeping enough tonight to finish this assignment and maybe not learning as much in class tomorrow because not feeling energized.
I wonder why we have strayed so much from what is normal, kids playing and taking naps even though research shows the contrary is beneficial.
I predict that teachers who watch these videos and try to stimulate the brain will get better results and happier children.
My students are certainly livelier after recess and PE! Also, happier and more willing to learn.
I wonder why many schools have cut down on recess (changed the PE curriculum with less well-rounded exercises, etc throughout these years, despite vast scientific/medical research around stating the major benefits of exercise for student learning ability. I predict that if we don't incorporate exercise, physical movement, and a healthy life style into our classroom (getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy, movement) as a academic community we will have some very lethargic student leaders with many health problems in our future. A healthy foundation should begins at a very young age and sometimes school is the only place they can receive this modeling behavior. I begin each reading lesson with a couple of mini-workout sessions for my students. I also have them do a lot of movements tied with drama so they can use their senses and become more kinesthetically aware of their bodies. The students enjoy this very much and their attention and participation increases. They even ask me to start these exercises with them in case I forget.
vglez8
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Day three post
I wonder...if the brain needs rest and exercise in order to remember and keep information stored for longer amounts of time, then why have schools in the past expected children to sit still all day and do worksheets that are not exciting or stimulating? And also if the brain needs exercise why are there so many schools that do not even offer a recess time for children to release some energy?
I predict...the reason is because teachers and staff are afraid of losing control. Many times we hear children having "silent lunch" because of behavior that was not appropriate for school.
I also believe that teachers nowadays are learning about brain research and how children learn and retain knowledge. Not only are many teachers learning about it, but they are implementing it in their classrooms. With data driven instruction trending nowadays, it is important to know the strengths and weaknesses of each child and to address their needs by any means possible. Making sure sleep and exercise is integrated into their lives (and at least exercise integrated into their school day), children will have greater potential to learn and retain knowledge and skills being taught.
Does any of this information remind you about a personal or classroom experience? Of course when we were growing up traditional classrooms where children are expected to sit still, listen and learn in all the same style and complete work at the same time was expected. I am really impressed how this old generalization is no longer being implemented by many teachers (at least at my school I am at)! It is really moving to see children moving around (no pun intended! hehe) and learning in order to retain information and concepts.
Posted by kcuriale-gil at 5:50 PM 0 comments
I finally understand now how to add to this blog instead of writing on my own!!!!! No wonder nobody else was reading or writing on my comments! LOL :-)
I wonder if the school district would consider allowing students and teachers take a nap to improve preformances.
I predict that in the future parents will have to pat a fee if their child fall alseep in class.
This reminds me of a child in my room who falls to sleep 7 to 10 times a day.
I wonder why we cut PE and Recess???
I predict teachers will to incorporate some type of Recess/PE into their daily schedule and tie it to cirr. because it will be gone.
I have my class move constantly, we move from board to board, Mimio, and back to our seat throughout the day and it keeps them on their toes.
Dear Anonymous-Vlgez8 What are those exercises in Reading and Drama you do with your students? Can you share them so I can try to incorporate them into my lessons?
I wonder how the working class performance at work would be if we were allowed to take a nap/rest at work in order to increase productivity. I predict I will include exercise in the classroom in order to keep the brain active. My attitude is different from my morning class and my afternoon class. This rest time is a contributing factor. I believe it is a contributing factor for my students as well as their teacher.
I wonder how I can explain to my principal whay I need to take my kids on a light jog befor I start my math block in the morning. I also wonder why I don't get up and ride my bike in the morning instead of hitting the snooze button 10 times.
I predict that, like Lucy, I will have some splainin to do.
drew crouch
L. F. Small
My class has recess everyday and now
I wonder now that the weather is beginning to change and I will no longer be allowed to take the kids outside if their performance will diminish.
I predict that performance as well as enthusiasm will diminish. I must find some activities that the kids can and will due that will emulate the rigorous exercise they are used to getting each day.
I've noticed that in my personal life when I am not as active as usual I find myself feeling sluggish and mildly depressed. It takes me a few days to realize what the problem is and I have to
get moving.
L.F. Small
October 15, 2010
The strand of Scholars and Knowledge that I am most comfortable with is ALID. The strand that I would like to know more about is Differentiation.
Posted by FaeSmall at 3:56 p.m.
L. F. Small
Oct. 8, 2010
I chose the concept of Interdependence. I informed my students that it is permissible to obtain assistance from a group member. My class of 24 students is divided into 4 groups of 6 members each. I chose to do my weekly spelling bee differently. Each group went to a corner of the classroom, picked a captain for the week, who was the spokesman for the group. The spokesman had to conference with the group members as to the correct spelling and definition. The group was allowed to respond only one time. The students thoroughly enjoyed the interaction ad it seemed to diminish their fears and apprehensions because they could feel that they were not alone and could "phone a friend" for the correct answer. The success story is that several students who had never passed the weekly spelling test passed.
Posted by FaeSmall at 3:42 p.m.
I wonder why some teachers or adminstrator donot allow students to go out for recess.
I predict when youngsters are allowed to take a nap and exercise
as a daily rountine they will
become more attentively in class.
Yes,this info does remind me of a personal experience.
I wonder why PE (exercise) is often one of the first courses to be taken out of schools. I predict that if we allow our students recess and exercise daily they will do better because they have exercised their brain as well as their bodies.
I always wondered why Pre-k and K take naps and now I understan that it is important for their brain. After a certain time we all stop listening!
I remember that when I was in college my afternoon classes were all a drag. Now I understand that pulling all nighters and waking up early and trying to run on 3 hours of sleep made learning almost impossible!
P. Noesi
My students do not go out for recess due to the need to get a certain amount of academic material covered every day.
Y.M.
I would love to have recess everyday so my students could release their energy but I just don't have the time these days...too much going on and that has to be done. But I strongly believe they need it, I believe that it helps stimluate their brain and mine for that matter. I will surely try and see if it makes the difference. I hope like others on here that I notice the difference.
Thanks Mrs. Pollack for a wonderful GT training.
1) I wonder what would happen if we all exercised. How much more productive would we be?
2) I predict that some of us (myself included) will make a concerted effort to get more sleep.
3) With the 3PM dip in our energy level, maybe that's why trainings should end before then. Participants become sluggish and are no longer learning.
I'm a strong advocate for the half day professional development. I totally agree that afternoon has fewer listeners and complete participation. No reflection on the presenters because I've been a presenter many, many times during my HISD tenure.
I wonder how we could take this information and make a difference in our schools! How could I as a teacher incorporate greater physical activity in daily lessons. I believe that what this brain research suggests is that we do more than provide recess, but how? I will continue to wonder about this and try some new things.
We learned about varying instruction and pacing in day that gives the brain time to work and slower time to process. Perhaps this is the key.
I predict that it will be highly unlikely that change will occur quickly, but that does not mean that we try new things. Change requires pioneers!
Yes. It reminds me that everyday I need to same exercise and sleep as the students, but the demands of our lives creates many obstacles. How do I change my own habits to begin a change for my students.
I plan to incorporate different types of activities involving exercise and movement. I predict that my students will be happier and will try harder to be more successful in their assignments. I had assignments which kept me actively engaged and focused when I was in school many years ago. I feel my students should get nothing less than what I had.
Holland Randle
1) I wonder how I can incorporate more movement with my instructional period without wasting too much time?
2) I predict that in the future, students will be allowed to have more leway within the classroom, which result in a better sense of trust and communication between the student and teacher.
3) Although I have never had a personal experience with this, I have begin to try different ways for my students to have movement during the day. I have noticed that their attention spans and levels of engagement have increased because of the occasional "breaks!"
1. As do a lot of my classmates, I believe that one of the hardest things to do is to include movement in every lesson.
2. I predict that in the future curriculum materials will include movement activities.
3. In my classroom I just include movement and exercise as much as possible. The students respond very well when they are allowed to move. We include movments for every type of sentence and the students seemed to remember them very well.
-Rachel Trentham
I wonder what would happen if all elementary students had the opportunity to nap and exercise daily during school hours. Will student’s productivity increase? Will learning happen for all students regarding their individual cognitive development?
I predict that napping and exercising during school hours could increase not only learning but also student’s health.
This information reminded me about some Japanese corporations that in order to increase productivity allows their employees to get naps and attend aerobics sessions during working hours.
Video #10 Vision
I wonder if I make all of my notes just pictures if it will still be as meaningful and if students will really retain the information.
I predict that if I attach more pictures to things the students would remember the pictures but not always the content that is supposed to go with it.
I've seen this work in my classroom with vocabulary words but sometimes the connection I want to be formed is not the same as the one the students form. I don't doubt the power of the visual sense but directing it appropriately is a bit challenging.
Diana Hodgson
Brain Rule #7 - Sleep
I wonder if my school would ever allow naptime for students in grades higher than kindergarten.
I predict that if I were able to take a nap after lunch I would be a more effective and happier teacher.
In my classroom even though we can't nap, after recess we have a cool down time where students take turns leading in relaxation techniques like deep breathing and the lights are off. Closest thing to a nap but it gets the students to stop being so jittery and let their heartbeats get to a more normal pace and they are ready to focus once they've had that bit of cool down time.
the last post was by
Diana Hodgson
I wonder if I start going out for a mini recess after lunch if the students would do better in the afternoon.
I predict that if i get more exercise i will be a more energetic teacher.
I know that when I do not get a good night of sleep, it is harder to teach effectively.
Lisa Nebel
I wonder why some school cut out recess and Pe then wonder why students are going crazy in the classroom. I predict that if this researched is continued struggling schools systems may find the link and make positive changes
LaShonda
I wonder how my school's administration will embrace new changes according the research that we learned about on day 3. I predict that the changes would eventually bring about positive results if incorporated in the day's activities. I know that change is hard to embrace sometimes but the end result is worth the struggle to change. V.Shorter
After watching the SLEEP video
I wonder if HISD knew that loss of sleep hurts attention, executive function, working memory, mood, quantitative skills, logical reasoning, and even motor dexterity would they let every student, teacher and adminstrator take a nap in the middle of the day?
I predict that they will not!
I use to think that after lunch my students were different. Now I am realizing that I should have just let them take a little nap.
Treasure West
I have truly emjoyed the GT training thus far. I have used a fewactivities in my classroom.
Vtorres
I wonder if having exercise balls for the students to sit on during classroom instruction, rather than standard chairs, would help their cognition since they would be moving and bouncing. This vestibular stimulation is helpful in many ways, especially cognitive. I predict that children will be more attuned and less hyperactive if we instill more movement into their instructional days. This peice reminds me of days when I see the students need to get up and "shake it up" and they love the one minute of free silly movement, even in 4th grade!
I wonder why nap time has been eliminated from Kindergarteners.
I predict that if students were allowed to take a nap, they would perform better, remember more and be more productive inside of the classroom.
I keep my students moving throughout the day. We do a sit down activity, then up and move around, then sit down, then up.
Krystal Coleman
I wonder why some schools are being "looked at" to end their P.E. program, since according to this research, exercise helps with concentration, problem solving, creativity, etc..I also wonder why schools don't have a block time for each grade level or school as a whole, to take a nap! RESEARCH proves naps are beneficial!
Tracy H.
I predict that if I get proper sleep and excersise, I WILL be a more effective mom :-), teacher,PERSON!!
This information reminds me of my students, especially during tutorial time, 3:15-4:15. They are sooo sluggish, so we go to the playground for a few minutes and be just as silly as we want to be!
I wonder why many kindergartens don't have naps anymore?!
I predict that if I thoroughly used exercise and sleep (naps/rest time) within the classroom I will have better focused and excited young ones, ready to learn!
I completely see this in my own classroom. There are ones who I know do not get sleep at night. They come in completely exchausted and will not pay attention. This happens also after lunch. I have a very hard time keeping their attention. I tend to get the students moving by singing a song with movements, get the wiggles out, etc. Works well.
Rachel
I wonder why P.E. is not an everyday thing, versus 45 minutes once a week. If it has been proven that exercise has such an impact on your brain activity and functioning, why isn't exercise a larger priority.
I predict that further studies will be done about the impact of exercise on the brain, and more movement will be implemented with the school day.
I believe that staying active, and keeping your students active throughout the day is important.
I wonder if there is a method or balance of rest and exercise that benefits students more. For example: one big block of exercise time followed by a big block of rest time as opposed to short intervals of each through-out the day.
I predict that whole group instruction will diminish greatly in the future. More time will be set apart to allow for exercise and rest, in order to better meet the needs of children described in the ALID strand.
I like to break up whole group instruction by having a stretch time or a short movement activity. I also incorporate 10 minutes of rest time by having students put their heads down and listen to relaxing lullaby-type songs with the lights off.
L. Vandock
i wonder if we can ever include 30-min nap in our curriculum...
i predict if this happens, it will not only be beneficial to students but teachers as well will be more productive...
i see to it that before i do anything late in the afternoon or early evening, i take a 30-min nap, helps me recharge and makes all the difference...
*mercy
I wonder what would happen if I allowed more movement in my class. Perhaps a little exercise every 30 minutes will stimulate the brain cells. I predict higher test score will result by such an action.
E. Anderson
I wonder how can I incorporate more exercising and movement in my class.
I predict that finding methods to teaching which allow students to exercise will positively impact my students and their learning.
It reminded me of when I was in school and we used to have after school tutorials (right around 3pm) where it would look like everyone was just ready to fall sleep in place.
-Luis Nobriga
1) I wonder if most people, especially teachers, know this information and use it in their lives or classrooms.
2) I predict that if I started introducing these rules at the beginning of the year that my kids would perform better, their cognition and attention spans would increase as well.
3) I remember when I was at my optimum physical fitness that all those statistics were evident. Now that we have a 9 month old son, my husband and I have started exercising again and it definitely helps!
Misty Miller
Children definitely need sleep and exercise, which is why recess is imperative to students. All that energy helps their brain get exercise and at the same time gets rid of excess energy that could potentially disrupt the class.
I wonder why is exercise so tied into the brain when they seem to have nothing to do with one another. I predict that more sleep and exercise a person gets leads to a healthy and happy life.
When students are sleepy they are less likely to learn what you want them to learn.
the last comment was by Donovan Decuir
I wonder if whether there is a practical application for exercise or naps when the whole focus is on standarized tests. I predict that in the future students will focus intensely on a content area for a short time followed by a short period of exercise or sleep to allow the brain to process the information absorbed during the focus period. I know from personal experience that kindergarden students focus better after their classroom nap than my third grade students that do not nap.
Graciela Porter
I really wonder why recess or physical education is not mandatory for students daily.
I predict that having physical education implemented into the students daily schedule can increase learning abilities and improve health issues among young students. Allowing the students to have physical education will improve alertness in class and promote healthier lives among the students.
When I was in school P.E. was a great opportunity to relax my mind. After P.E. I felt enegerized and ready to learn. The physical activity really motivated me.
Shaneka Richardson
1) I wonder...how I can learn to use more exercise (movement) in the classroom to improve learning. I also wonder how I can help the students get more rest when there are too many distractions at home. Many of my students come to school exhausted from a disruptive home environment.
2) I predict...that if I can answers the last two “wonder questions” I’m sure my students would become better learners.
3) Does any of this information remind you about a personal or classroom experience?
I know that if I don’t get enough sleep, I have a hard time focusing and retaining information that I have learned. Also, on days when I'm moving around the room and staying active I'm more productive and alert than on days when I’m sitting at a desk or in a meeting.
R.Minyard
I wonder what specific activities can be done to actively engage the student since recess is not always an option.
I predict that research on how such activities can stimulate children's minds will have a positive effect on how they learn and retain information.
The times tat I have thought outside of the box to get students to use their critical thinking skills, it worked well for most students.
Tiffany Ogburn
2nd grade
I wonder...if administration in HISD will take into consideration these studies and increase the time of physical activity for the students in the classroom/schools!!
I predict...if we don't start/continue to involve physical activity and really teach the students the importance of sleep and the amount they NEED they won't be as successful as they should and could be!
Reminders...I've done research myself on this information and I know that it really does help people of all ages! I can tell in the classroom when some of my students didn't get enough sleep because they can't remember a thing about what we learned the previous day! I also constantly remind my kiddos to eat a good healthy breakfast and to bring a healthy snack and lunch!!
Lyssa Vogler
I am not sure why folks are opposed to recess...we have recess and it definitely helps. Children need time to relax and exercise both the brain and body. My students after recess are more ready to work, they are more attentive and alert! I think after this video and personal experience people, i.e. teachers will incorporate recess.
Y. Washington
I wonder if we had a longer school day with a three day weekend would we get more accomplished in a week.
I predict that this could be a great idea for middle and high schools.
I know that longer schools days would be more productive!
Having fun educational activities that involve more movement to increase student's attention span is great. I do have my students move around a a bit. I will incoporate more activities in our daily routines.
C. White
I wonder why naptime ends after kindergarten and why teachers don't participate?
I predict (hope even)that research will continue to show how important it is for students to be active and well rested.
I have my students jump up and down for a full two minutes when they are looking tired. They laugh, actually look happy for a little while, and the majority of them work a lot better afterwards.
Amelia Hastings
I wonder why, if we have research that proves exercise increases brain activity and we know that childhood obesity is increasing every year, schools are continuously taking exercise out of school. At my school kids only have P.E. one day a week and currently there is no recess.
My school is getting a program beginning next semester called Playworks. This program will bring recess to our students, and I predict it will make a huge difference in both academics and behavior.
All of this information reminds me of what I see everyday in my classroom. Students get no exercise and therefore have no brain stimulation. They are bored in class because they do not want to think. They do not have a desire to learn because they sit in a classroom all day, and go home to sit in front of the TV playing video games. In addition, many of my students' family lives do not allow them to get a restful night of sleep. I feel like if children were given an hour of exercise in P.E. each day, they would be much more eager to learn.
Emily English
1) I wonder if I incorporate more movement and exercise into my daily schedule...what will happen.
2) I predict that with more sleep my brain and memory will benefit too.
3) Sleep is very important. Students that fall asleep in class, because they didn't get rest the night before, suffer in the classroom.
**J. Bennett**
I wonder why knowing that sleep is needed to recall information the next day, we still tend to cram in so much information before a test resulting to you only sleeping 5 hours or less.
I predict that if students were better informed about how their brained work, they would stop cramming information in before a test and go to sleep early. Resulting on them recalling information previously learned much easier. This is true for all those high school and college students.
Yes, this was me during my high school and college years. I would stay up late trying to cram in all the information before a test or final. Only getting like 4 hours of sleep and feeling really tire the next day. I was so tire that at the time of the test you get this attitude of “I don’t care what I get, let’s get it over with” or “Man if I don’t remember the first time I see the question, I’m not going to remember.” If I would have know that me getting plenty night sleep would have helped me recall information better. Believe me I would have gotten my 8 hrs of sleep!
R. Macias
I wonder why in my school the P.E. class was eliminated for the bilingual 3rd. graders.
I predict if my students have P.E. class they will be more engaged, focused and alert for the rest of the day.
In order to fill that gap of phisycal activity,I incorporated some kinesthetic activities and I see the difference of my students' performance in class.
M. Tamez
) I wonder how many brain cells connect after a long hybernation from a winter sleep?
2) I predict many cohorts liked this video especially how exercise energizes the brain which is a energizer moment motivate teachers and myself to make classroom activities engaging.
3) Does any of this information remind you about a personal or classroom experience? Yes; I noticed when students are engaged in a game activity or dance activity it helped them stay focused in a reading or math activity.
1.) I wonder if we took away P.E...what would happen?
2.) I predict that most people think recess is a waste of time, but really it's a great time for students to exercise and socialize!
3.) I think it is important for students to get up and move around during the day. Staying seating is NO fun at all. In the morning, my students do Brain Gym to get their brains and bodies moving. Throughout the day my students move around during Math Rotations and Daily 5.
-Brooke Bailey
I wonder...if exercise is so great for our brains, then why do many adults have great difficulty motivating ourselves to exercise regularly?
I predict that the theory a not convince anti-evolution decision-makers to increase physical activity in schools and workplaces.
I notice that by mid-afternoon, my students (and I) are dragging. We feel more lethargic, so I try to integrate marching and hopping and stretching activities to keep our brains and bodies alert.
I wonder how the productivity of my students would be if I would give them 15 minutes of recess after lunch every day. Will this have an impact on their learning and grades?
I also wonder if we allowed the upper grades to take a nap like the Kindergartners will this help them become more productive.
I predict that applying these brain rules to myself personally and to my children, I can increase our productivity.
I have had the personal experience of feeling lethargic after lunch and could never understand why even if I ate a light lunch. When I worked in an office, I went to lunch at 1:00 by 2:30 I was at the vending machine trying to buy a coke to stay awake. Today I see this same patter with my students. On Fridays we test all day and I started to realize by 2:00 they are not as productive in their test scores like that morning. I have actually thought of splitting my testing between Thursday and Friday mornings. One thing I do notice about my students is on the day they go to PE, they come back to energetic and excited. Sometimes I have to calm them down because they become very loud in their math centers. I find that very interesting.
-Rita Flores
I wonder what would happen if the schools thought of recess as a good thing where the kids get some exercise.
I predict that they would have better behavior, and be a lot happier.
I know I was shocked when I started teaching and found out that recess was somewhat frowned upon. In fact, my grade scheduled it out because they said weneed instruction time. Now that I am teaching these low children, I do not want to lose instruction time either. I feel it is wrong not to give them recess, but now I am use to it and can't afford to lose the time. I do try and incorporate movement in to my lesson plans, but I wish they could run free as well. C.Harris
Hurray for brain research! I've always believed that exercise pumps oxygen to the brain and prepares you for learning. It also makes you feel great. Students should be allowed to move around throughout the day. Sitting in one place all day can be monotonous. We all need movement.
Martha Gonzalez, saturday class.
I really believe that movement plays important part in learning process.More power to O2.
Brain needs to be oxigenated to work better.
Vladimir Rodriguez S. Class
I wonder why recess and nap are eliminated from the curriculum when the children are in high school.
I predict that children who are actively engaged and are constantly moving will do better academically than those who are sitting in their seats all day.
Everyday, we do an exercise. It helps me, as well as the kids. They never know what to expect. I try to make exercise fun, while we are learning.
L. Yuille
I wonder why more teachers don't incorporate more movement activities in their lessons.
I predict after viewing the videos more teachers will incorporate more activities that include movement.
On a daily basis I open up my class with a science question of the day. Students write the question in their journal, then they are give a post it note to place the answer on a chart on the wall. We also incorporate movement during science experiments students move from station to station.
I wonder why the students can not get a nap.
I predict administration won't like if we incorporate a nap time on our schedules.(hahaha)
In fact that remind me, last year when I taught third grade we went out side, playground, and experience the difference between perimeter (walk around) and area(count the squares inside) that stick on their brains!!! as well as use their bodies as a reference for measurement.
Giuliana Morinelli
I wonder how much effect exercise and naps with have on grades and performance in the classroom. Will it be a significant difference? I predict that we would not be able to get away with exercise and a nap on a daily basis.
Vanessa Esquivel
I wonder if administrators are aware of the impact exercise makes on the brain
I predict that if administrators were aware of the wonderful outcomes that can be made in the brain by using exercise they would be more than willing to encourage more body movement activities in the classroom, and maybe we would get lucky and they would let us extend our recess time :0)
Recess in my class is a must. Even if it's really cold or really hot, it helps my students release all they have in there.
A.Rincon
1) I wonder if there is a study about the effects of nap time on elementary students. Do students who take naps outperform students who do not?
2) I predict that, based on the brain rules information, students who take naps at school are more productive than students who do not.
3) This reminds me of some early childhood students I worked with once. After lunch, they got more and more tired and less and less productive. But after that we had nap time, and when they woke up, they were ready to be productive again.
I wonder why recess is sometimes not important for principals and why it os eliminated from the curriculum.
I predict that if my students sleep 8 hours they can be more productive at school.
I want to have some activities in my lessons where the student can move around.
Cesar Miranda
I wonder if the Dept. of Education would look into this brain research and consider changing the way children have physical education in school. I predict that if students get plenty of rest and good exercise they would become successful in the future. I learned that when you keep students active and engaged, the children tend to comprehend better.
I wonder if the Dept. of Education would look into this ....
Lisa Tarver
I wonder why recess is not important in some schools
I predict that if my students sleep more they can be more productive at school.
I going to have some activities in my lessons where my students move around the class.
cesar miranda
I wonder how much more effective teachers could be with a midday nap as well!
I predict that involving more movements and exercises in class will improve students' performance and alertness.
In my classroom, we do a lot of movements during calendar time and roleplay. We try to fit in literacy and math centers every day so students can move around, manipulate resources, and interact with their peers, instead of just sitting at their desks.
-Andrea de Vera
I wonder why many parents will not make it mandatory for their children to go to bed at a certain time. Many students have said that their parents allow them to stay up late at night watching TV. They even go as far to saw that sometimes they fall asleep with the TV on. From my experience most children need structure and should have structure or routine especially during the school week. This helps to ensure that the child will at least get a good nights sleep for the next school day.This will cut down on some of the tired, lazy activity of the children.
I predict that in due time, classrooms will incorporate more movement since all research shows and that majority student learn from small group insturction and this type of instruction requires constantant daily movement and interaction.
I know movement does boost the brain. I have noticed with my students after a good long recess my students are more active during instruction.
~ T. Tillmon
I wonder why so many teachers do not feel that daily movement in their classrooms is necessary. I constantly get my kids up and moving. I know myself personally I cannot sit down for long periods of time. Even at the end of the day when students all seem so tired of exams and learning I get them up and incorporate music to get them going again. Movement gets the flow of blood in the brain going. In order for students to learn and retain movement is necessary througout the school day.
Rosalinda Lamas
critical thinking activities are getting done in my classroom.I will include some sort of exercise activities to get the students' mind going. C.Gutierrez
I wonder why nap time and recess is not is not provided to all students if brain research shows the importance of a power nap and exercise.
I predict if all students had time to exercise and rest their brain, they would be more successful in their academics.
In my PreK classroom, we take a nap and we do a lot of physical movement that involves crossing the mid-line several times during the day.
Katherine Swearington
My class took the TAKS release test last week. I allowed them to take a break and move around the classroom several times during the day. They did pretty good on the test and they seemed to appreciate the break. They got to rest their brain. Third grade can be very stressful because so many new things are introduced to them.
Annette Randle
I wonder why I hadn't thought of this?
I predict that if I give my students some sort of physical or mental exercise before each subject that they will be more alert and brain ready.
I remember taking a class once where the teacher gave us a critical thinking exercise before we got started each day. Each exercise got the brain warmed up and we were motivated the entire class period.
I think brain rules are so interesting!
Heather Pollack
I agree that movement is important I will introduce more movement in to my lessons and also boots the brain.
I wondered if people who suffers from the inability to retain infromation and who are forgetful have a history of not getting daily exercise and I wonder why Kindergarten students are being deprived of hteir afternoon naps when research has proven that a daily nap improves performance. Last year ny students did not get to take naps and by 12:30 at least five of my stude3nts were falling asleep during our lessons and the other 15 were wired up.I predict that if incorporate exercise into my daily class activities , i would get more participation and have happier and more productive students.JanT.
I am trying to figure out how to introduce my students to the icons. I have been trying to incoporate some of the icons during story time but just as conversations. I am a little skeptical that I can do it and that the students will be able to analyze stories using the icons on their own.
Nancy Espinoza
I have introduced three icons to my students, using a Kagan strategy called rountable. This strategy helped students build prior knowledge about the icons before we discussed them as a class. This has allowed them to think outside the box and find connections between subjects.
I have introduced three icons to my students, using a Kagan strategy called rountable. This strategy helped students build prior knowledge about the icons before we discussed them as a class. This has allowed them to think outside the box and find connections between subjects.
Melissa Ciau
I wonder WHY if research shows that students would be more productive if they were allowed to take a quick nap - WHY IN THE WORLD are we NOT allowed to let students take a quick nap if indeed it would be beneficial for their learning and for our school/scores. HISD seems to be so caught up labeling our schools and using all these test scores to "score" us teachers, then WHY do they NOT allow us to implement research-based findings in our classrooms if it is for the betterment of ALL involved.
I predict that our students will not be allowed to take naps and move around more (especially when under the stress of TAKS testing)
As a parent of an HISD student, it really irks me that my child is not allowed to move around and/or take a quick nap (especially when testing) to help her do better on her tests. I have gotten complaints that she was falling asleep during class/testing- well as a teacher, myself- let the students move around or let them chew a piece of cinnamon gum (research has also found that chewing cinnamon gum helps jog the memory!) - Let the students do what they need (within reason of course) to help make sure they succeed in school. We would ALL greatly benefit!
ERFLORES ☺
SCHOLARS and KNOWLEDGE
Regarding Scholars and Knowledge- all I can say is I think I'm pretty good with the Product strand.. However, I really do find it difficult trying to implement the Differentiation strand... With everything we are expected to complete throughout our school day, this strand just seems to be adding even more to our already very FULL PLATE... I understand the reasoning behind it.. but in reality it is very hard- in my experience - to implement it daily. The reality of the fact is there are only 7.45hrs in our school day and we are expected to do way much more than our job of being a teacher.
1) I wonder how exercise can be fit in to my schedule since I have the students a short time.
2) I predict that exercise would be a vital importance to getting success on the TAKS.
3) When I awoke early in college to attend PE course at 7 a.m., my day was filled with accomplishments and success. Thus, exercise is vital for getting things done.
Laura Robinson
I wonder if I am having the right balance of exercise and activity with my Pre-K students for optimal learning. I predict that I will make sure time is active enough to keep focus but engaging enough to retain information. This information is giving me insight on the amount of time students spend in classrooms without physical activities.
I wonder if I am a learner that does best in morning or evening. I predict that I will try to make sure I work at the optimal time for my brain after seeing this. This reminds me of how I am in the morning. Never really paid attention as to when it was best to take a course or try to learn new material.
Jesus Macias
I wonder how many of us watched these two videos and related the information about exercise and sleep to ourselves as well as our students? For example, I tell myself that I can function fine on subpar numbers and/or quality of sleep. But I wonder if truly better rest would help me function better? The video on sleep helps me realize that the answer is certainly "yes".
I predict that as more and more of us (educators, parents, admininstrators, law makers, etc.) become better informed about the huge importance of exercise and sleep, that we will "give it its due". At least I hope so.
When I first started teaching, as a long-term sub, there was a grade level at the school that basically never took their students out to recess. Even as green as I was, I disagreed and took my class outside regularly. Now I feel vindicated!
Bill Fletcher
1) I wonder if my students would learn more if we had a recess in the afternoons. My school strongly discourages recess, so my students are in my classroom from the end of lunch at 10:40 until dismissal. I wonder if we could accomplish more learning if we took a short recess break in the afternoon.
2) I predict that recess will be phased out at many schools across the country as more and more emphasis is placed on test scores.
3) When watching the clip about exercise and the brain, I thought about when I was studying for the MCAT. I would study for 10 hours at a time, taking breaks only to eat and use the restroom. I wonder if I would have had more productive learning had I taken breaks to run and move while studying.
Megan Trainor
I introduced 6 icons to my three reading rotations today. We are doing some research on child labor in preparation for reading "Bread and Roses too", the true story of the labor strikes in Lowell, Mass. in the early 1900's. Anyway, we read a piece today about a modern day Brazilian girl name Leandra. Leandra is forced to make her living rummaging through a massive city dump 12 hours a day, seven days a week. She lives with no running water and does not attend school. I introduced the icons and the idea of depth and complexity. We discussed the icons, their meaning, use, relevance. I had 6 groups of four. Each group discussed the article about Leandra in relation to their icon. It made for great discussion, engagement.
1) I wonder why schools do not allow students to have a brief rest period if sleeping truly promotes learning.
2) I predict PE will be limited to only PK-3rd grade very soon.
3) I remember trying to prepare for a state exam, which was really stressful. I decided to go to sleep very early. I woke up refreshed and "clear" minded. I actually hummed during the exam as because I was not so stressed... I passed the test.
Heather Brantley
I wonder if you picked this to call out people for bailing on their NY resolutions despite the October submission date, if you are pointing out the irony of teachers taking away recess to keep kids in for longer rotations, or how does sleeping and exercise correlate?
I predict that the more exercise that I do, the more tired I'll be, the more tired I'll be the less work I'll do, the less work I do, the worse I am at my job. The less exercise I do, my brain functions at a lower level-- the worse I am at my job. Let's use details, ethics and perspectives, smushthemtogether, (screw pretty ugly) THAT'S a paradox.
This reminds me of the fact that I am 23 years old, while young at heart, I am exhausted like a 46 year old, and my days of late-night blogging are coming to an end. Now.
1. I wonder if students involve in athletics tend to perform better academically, since they exercise and get plenty of sleep to recover.
2. I predict children with obesity issues and are sedentary will have a difficult time in their academics rather than the students who are involve in a sport and are constantly moving.
3. The movie clip does remind me of my class. My class is very attentive and productive after recess. When it is close to dismissal it is very hard to get my class focus and teach new lessons.
In my Kindergarten class room we are always using Balance Learing. Active learing, Setting time, and Passive learing in all subjects throughout the day. In reading we do pair sharing, discussing, and building. As for setting time we walk, eat lunch, take breaks, and rest (listen to soft music). Lastly, with passive learing the students listen, watch, and generalize.
Sandra Woodfork
1) I wonder what type of exercise activities I can do during the day to keep my student's brain functioning at an optimal level.
2) I predict that if both teachers and students were able to take naps during the day we would perform better and be more productive in the classroom.
3) Does any of this information remind you about a personal or classroom experience? Yes, when I was in college I was able to take power naps in between classes and I was always able to perform better and work more efficiently. I always felt re-energized after my naps and also noticed that when I didn’t take naps I felt more tired throughout the day.
Yessenia Vazquez
Yessenia Vazquez
I wonder why some schools do not like the idea of recess or some daily form of physical exercise during the school day if studies show that it is beneficial. They take the complete opposite approach and want "structured learning" to take place all the time.
I predict a lot more of my lessons will allow for a lot more movement so that students can be energized enough to learn. This is especially true for the afternoons.
This video clip reminds me of how I feel when we are at the teacher meetings. Going from dismissal straight into a meeting is very tiring. Unless the presenter is very engaging or the topic provided hands on activities, I do not tend to remember too many details. I want to make sure I remember that when preparing my lessons for my students.
-Patricia Llanas
I wonder how much time is wasted in a classroom where a student is forced to sit for hours upon end...
I predict that as more educators learn about this research, daily routines will change.
In my classroom, we try to create motions whenever we are learning something new. Sometimes we stand up and dance. I have realized that they often remember things associated with movement a little better than when we just discuss.
~Jessica LeDet~
I wonder why we have taken away recess as punishment. There aren't many things you can take away throughout the day in order to improve behavior so recess has always been what gets taken away. I predict that teachers will find more ways to incorporate activity into their lessons. I have been incorporating Tribes into my lessons. There are many activities called Energizers that get the students up and moving throughout the day. This gets there brains working and they are ready for the next subject.
I wonder what type of research was was done to find out that activity levels influence learning and job performance.
I predict that most viewers will exercise to limit stress and promote kinestic learning.
Having the students actively learning using senses and physical activities I can see that learning is more meaningful.
Ricardo Velasquez
Hello Colleagues,
1) I wonder the information about the brain imprinting information in my memory during sleep can be used as a tool to help my students retain information. Maybe I could show this video at a parent meeting and encourage them to help their students get a good night's rest?
2) I predict that if I use exercise activities during instruction that my students will retain the information better.
3) Does any of this information remind you about a personal or classroom experience?
Absolutely! During the summer I taught a Math lesson about figure transformation. We did slides, rotations, reflections, etc. The students aced the mini-assessment after this lesson as well.
Best,
Rickey Goins
1. I wonder if we should have the students exercise every morning, instead of just diving into a lesson.
2. I predict that if the students were to exercise every morning on top of their daily recess and ancillary schedule they would have a higher achievement rate.
3. This information reminds me of my personal college days. This information would have been very helpful!
-Heidy Shieh
I wonder if my school is aware of the benefits of recess and how it helps the brain to relax as well as makes it even easier for it to perform better. I over load my students with classroom activities without giving them recess, that affects our performance level especially after lunch.
Nwokeocha, Jewel
I wonder if the recess time would be extend to two periods of 20 minutes each time, one after reading in the morning and one in the afternoon?
I predict that student's brains will be more receptive after exercise.
Every time I see my students getting bored about new concepts. I teach a song/game about the subject, and make them to stop everything and sing and play the game that goes
along.
Guadalupe Aguirre
I wonder what the results would be if we compared overall performance score of a class that is actively involved in their learning as compared to a class that is mostly sedentary. (Sounds like a good thesis topic.)
I predict that the class that is actively engaged would perform higher and be more interested in attending school. The teacher may even be more successful in planting that seed for knowledge.
Getting up and moving helps me focus more on the task at hand. When teaching letters to my pre-K and K students, I also incorporate a movement that they can link to that letter sound. Making the movement helps those kinesthetic learners remember more easily. It also wakes up their mind.
Minerva Salazar
I will use patterns as a means of teaching and expanding my lessons. I can have the students look for patterns and project it while i am working with my other students.
gena martinez
1) I wonder...How nap time effects the children in the classroom. We have Nap time late in the day, so I am not able to see how this effects them in a afternoon work cycle. Starting on Monday, the scholl has moved nap time to an earlier time, I can see if the students becomce more concentrated on their work.
2) I predict...that with the new nap time, the children will become able to concentrate and focus more on their work.
3) Does any of this information remind you about a personal or classroom experience? The exercise clip does. I remember growing up that I wanted to move. I alway hated to sit and listen. But after many yesar of doing this, I am able to stick in there and get through lectures.
Terah Kuhnen
I wonder why naps and movement seem to find a good place in the success of children's academics when each activity is the complete opposite of the other.
I predict that over time, research will help our education system by introducing new and more effective ways to teach.
I know make sure we not only sing our songs but we have hand movements and sometimes even dancing that goes with it. The kids become so engaged and I think it's a perfect start to a successful student.
Areli Sosa
I wonder why more teachers don't incorporate movement activity throughout the day to get the students blood flowing, making them more alert.
I predict that if I incorporate some sort of exercise/movement into my daily schedule, the students will be more alert and energized.
I had a teacher in high school that would tell us to get up and move around if we felt sleepy. She would even tell us to go get a drink of water. It did help and the students did not abuse her rule.
I wonder how and why doing physical movement activities stimulate a persons brain to get the actual juices flowing. I also, use movement and exercise during math instruction to get my students alert and ready for a new instructional task. They absolutely love it
I predict has we learn more about research and how things work it will help us become effective teachers and give us more creative ways to activate students learning
Nicole Miller-Smith
1) I wonder how students achievement can improve if schools incorporate time to excercise.
2) I predict that if we incorporate more time to daily excercise, students achievement and attention spam will improve.
3) Everytime that I incorporate movement in my classroom, I observed that the attention and engagement of my students improved. For example, one day I was trying to explain how the molecules are in the liquid, solid and gas phases with pictures. When I saw their faces, I asked them to stand up and I explained the same concept telling them that they were the molecules and they were allowed to move according at the state of matter. It was amaizing the response.
Ana L. Acosta-Melendez
I wonder if incorporating naptime into our daily schedule would indeed enhance student performance. I predict that allowing students to nap would actually increase productivity, especially when you take into account the home lives of our student population and the fact that many of them are sleep deprived. I have seen the benefits of physical activity in my classroom. My students do a chant to which we add new vocabulary and concepts together with movement. They are much more alert and engaged afterward, plus sometimes you can see them going through the movements during tests, so it definitely seems to have a positive impact on retention.
I wonder if administrators will ever revisit taking nap time from the kindergarten classrooms. If it is hard for many adults to get through a 7-3:30 wk day, what about the students? It is clear that little ones who are often cranky and unproductive if they have not gotten enough rest. We all know that many of the kids don’t get enough sleep at home. Many are up till 10 and later.
I predict that eventually P.E. will b totally cut from school programs just as many music programs have been due to budget cuts and the notion that those classes are much less important. Other than P.E. for the athletic department, I believe we will soon kiss physical education goodbye. It truly is a shame. We used to have P.E. every day when I was in elementary, at every other day in middle school. Every time I turn on the news I hear about how obesity has taken over our nation, but we do not encourage our children to get up and move. A bit of paradox don’t you think?
c. watson
I wonder if it is a state requirement for all districts to give students recess according to the study.
I predict that student scores will soar if teachers began incorporating activity into their lessons.
I see the difference between my very first class and my recent class. Allowing students to move around during the day makes them more interested and helps them retain information as well to me.
Lakita White
I wonder how much of benefit would be see by incorporating nap time in school.
I predict that as we learn more about the brain, we will have the ability to become more efficient.
I have incorporated some Kagan structures to get the class moving through out the day.
Melissa Ciau
I wonder why recess is often eliminated at schools. It is beneficial for students to be active and recess helps to do so. Movement is very important to the learning process. I predict that recess or maybe an active (kinesthetic) activity could be incorporated to the lessons. Students like hands-on and movement. It is very interactive and highly effective.
Carolina Delcid
It is interesting that the administration picks and chooses what research based studies they follow to meet their agenda. The brain needs time to absorb new information but we spend so much time cramming material to get them ready for TAKS. In the end retention levels are low and they begin the following school year having forgotten a lot of what they learned the prior year.
Lesley Fagg
This school year was my first experience with aprenda. I was amazing for me to have a kinder class answering a test for such a long time. I was very hard for them. In my country, students have the option to go to school in the morning or afternoon. They go less hours but it is more productive. I wish middle school and high school students could have that option.
Dane Torres
I wonder if the number of hours in school were less,could the students be more productive? I predict that with all the budget cuts, it may soon be a reality.
Dane Torres
I have found that kids have their own gift and talent. I have a student that he is smart, participation, and unique reader but he is not good with organizational skills and writing.
As educators, we need to help to develop those skills where they are weak and strenght those gift talents.
I wonder why our nap time may be taken away next year in Kindergarten since sleep is so important?
I predict that all of my students will be exhausted by the end of the day without a nap.
Regarding exercise in the classroom, I always begin my class with a short two minute exercise before I start whole group instruction. It gets the wiggles out and they are eager to listen.
I wonder why P.E. is so under appreciated. Its considered a "cushy" position in teaching and is usually a position held by individuals who dont seem to particpate actively themselves. Given the issues we have today with over weight in our youth, you would think that it would be something monitored a lot closer.
I loved learning about the brain research done by John Medida. I even bought the book!
I wonder why does the level of brain function go down with weeks of exercise eventually. Is there a plateau?
I predict that in order for my students to both "sleep well" and "think well", they will need to be accountable for themselves and parents will have to ensure that they are not doing anything to hinder their students' sleep schedule.
I do actively try to incorporate exercise into my classroom routine. Even for mundane exercises (checking homework, etc.) I try to have students up and moving. It's hard in a reading classroom where I want my students to be, well, reading -- something that's tough when you're dancing around. But there are always ways!
I wonder if I am including enough exercise for my children, especially since they are Kinder students.
I predict that it will take a lot of additional research for districts as a whole to start moving towards including more exercise as part of their required components of instruction.
This certainly rings true to me because over the years I have moved more towards the kinesthetic end of the learning style spectrum and find it very difficult to learn without hands on and exercise-inclusive activities.
I wonder if there's a way we can inform parents to also participate in incorporating enough exercise or at least enough sleep time in their child's life.This should be a team effort.
I predict that teachers that take the G/T will strive to include exercise in their daily content and routine.
I will for advocate more exercise for my students
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I wonder if there's a way we can inform parents to also participate in incorporating enough exercise or at least enough sleep time in their child's life.This should be a team effort.
I predict that teachers that take the G/T will strive to include exercise in their daily content and routine.
I will for advocate more exercise for my students
I have always believed that proper diet,sleep and exercise is important to learning.As we engage in the different content areas across the board it is most helpful to use a variety of activities to "stretch and extend our thinking levels".
I wonder, if I let my 6 and 7 year old students exercise throughout the day and take a nap, would it increase/enhance their performance in the classroom.
I predict after watching these videos that more people will begin exercising and taking more naps.....just maybe :)
I can relate to all the people in that meeting, in the second video. When it comes to a certain time in the day my eyes get heavy and my brain wants to go on a mini vacate. I believe some of my students feel the same way!
Im am going to incorporate more exercise for my students throughout the day!
I have learned how to incorporate movement in learning activities, so that the brain can be stimulated and be awake. Having movement activities will help the student be more interested.
I wonder how to make this relevant to my classroom. I predict learning styles will become more accepted in the future. This reminds me of a learning style training I did my first year teaching.
I wonder why they want to take napping out of kindergarten because five year olds need rest. I predict PE and/or recess will be cut due to increased academic demands and/or funding. This reminds me of Dunn and Dunn learning styles when I was student teaching.
I believe excersie and recess is vital to the brain. All chidren need recess to releave the stress on the brain.
I did a reasearch on the brain and water was also something that helps the brain.
All the above are great ways to increase brain power in kids well as adults.
Exercise and learning in my classroom go together. During reading students are asked to clap, stomp, hop, and even wiggle if they hear a particular or given letter sound to listen for. Just sitting on the carpet for GT students can be rote and boring so movement is important for the brain especially with reading being first thing in the morning. Incorporate beach balls for question and answer time, students have to be alert because they never know if the ball is being thrown to them...Get your kids up an moving fellow teachers.
I believe exercise and proper diet are essential to the functioning of the brain. We as educators must find ways to incoporate more movement into our classrooms.
I wonder why nap time and recess are taken away.
I predict that if teachers watched this, they would incorporate more exercise during school.
This reminds me of myself as a student because I loved moving around doing fun activities.
I wonder how we have gotten away from recess in the morning before school and recess right after lunch. Many centuries ago when I was in school that is exactly what my school did. We also had P.E. everyday as well.
I predict that we will have to go back to making P.E. an intregal part of the every child's learning.
Everyone needs to allow their themselves some time to reflect on what they have learned. Children need breaks in their learning to digest all the information being taught.
I wonder how we have gotten away from recess in the morning before school and recess right after lunch. Many centuries ago when I was in school that is exactly what my school did. We also had P.E. everyday as well.
I predict that we will have to go back to making P.E. an intregal part of the every child's learning.
Everyone needs to allow themselves some time to reflect on what they have learned. Children need breaks in their learning to digest all the information being taught.
I wonder why school district are moving away from physical education/recess daily in school.
I predict the reason is financial!
With the mounting pressure for students to pass - better yet score commended on state test; our students need opportunities to exercise to release the stresses of the day.
Its amazing to see all the teachers running out of school with their gym-bags in hand to workout their stress! At their own expense.
I wonder if I begin my kindergarten class with ten minutes of exercise if I would see a difference.
I predict that it could change the entire beginning of their day.
It reminds me of a concept I recently taught. They struggled to grasp it, I turned to music and movement and I really did see progress!
I wonder if we can incorporate exercise in our classroom.
I predict that when including exercise, it will help my students’ concentration.
If we do some exercise activity every day, it will get the students awake.
I wonder why nap time has been eliminated from the Kindergarten curriculum. My grandchild who is in Kindergarten is so irritated when awakened, in the afternoon at home, from her nap zone. She whines never stating the problem. It takes her about twenty minutes to come back to her cheerful nature.Although she can barely make it after a ride home from school.She lays right down.
I predict that if we walked to the park and exercised she would probably have enough energy to have dinner, do her homework and get a peaceful night's sleep.
As I look back. I did have similar experiences as a child.I did exercise more but I was very irritable when I was awakened from a nap. Perhaps she is staying up to late which was and still is my problem.Is it heredity? We both need to change our daily routines.
I wonder why some parents allow their children to play video games and watch TV until midnight instead of sleep.
I predict that if the government implements nap time for teacher and students both groups will perform better.
I try to incorporate movement to my lessons and results are fantastic. Students remember science cycles when they act them out.
I wonder if....my students would be better students/learners if they got adequate rest. I've often been told that some of them hang out extremely late, and most nights they have no dinner. I wonder what I can do to enhance their circumstances. I predict that....with better home enviroments they could and would excel. Most of them are very active, but because there's not enough to eat they suffer.
I would love for there to be a special program that would serve and address children's real needs.
I wonder if my Kindergarten students will learn more and be more productive if they took a nap.
I predict that they would be able to focus more if they were able to take a short nap in the middle of the day.
It reminds me of times when I am very tired (on the weekend) and all I can think about is taking a nap. I cannot imagine how students must feel if they are sleepy and tired but must continue to do their work.
I wonder how much my students can improve in all content areas if they were giving a nap in the morning and in the afternoon? I predict that my students will learn when a nap has been given to them. I remember that when I was in college and I had a test the next day, I always find it hard to study at night because I would be tired. So I would go to sleep and after sleeping a few hours I had a better understanding on what I was studying.
Okay, the Brain Rules guy is extremely irritating. Both because of his manner and because the data slides he presents are noninformative(he most think we are all sleep deprived and won't be too critical). I don't disagree with his results, but I guess I expect better graphs and data presentation. These just left me irritated because of missing information.
I would be more impressed if he had more suggestions on how we could use his 'brain rules' to work for us in a realistic way.
I wonder how much more productive and intelligent we could be if we exercise daily. I predict that not only would we get better results from our students I think the corporate world may benefit from exercising as well. Additionally, issues such as obesity and diabetes would not be a major concern in our young children and adults if we took the right measures to exercise and sleep. To ensure that we optimize our children’s’ and our own potential, exercising daily and sleeping enough are key. One way educators can help is by advocating that student’s parents allow them to play and exercise rather than just having their children sit around watching tv or playing video games all day. Another way to make certain that our students are getting some exercise is by having lessons that include movement to help optimize the student’s learning capability. Usually when I incorporate movement in the classroom the students tend to be more attentive, they have fun, and most importantly they learn so I know if we found more ways to include exercise daily we would be more productive overall.
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