| In this age of
academic standards and testing, educators are focusing more on basic
reading and writing skills. In some cases, the child may not be
developmentally ready to sequence objects or thoughts, see patterns,
or process information.
Cerebellum research suggest that what makes us move is also what
makes us think. The brain relies on each of its systems for learning:
auditory, visual, sensory, motor, and social. Reading and writing
are skills that must be LEARNED because reading symbols is not hard
wired in the brain. The child must be able to recognize the symbols
and then assign information to them. This is called symbol system
learning. Mastery of basic motor skills creates the framework for
reading, writing, and math processing. Skipping is reading readiness.
We teach mastery of motor skills. Therefore, our Physical Education
curriculum is CENTRAL to the learning process.
 Unfortunately, many of our decision makers overlook the importance
of preparing the brain to learn. They expect a Physical Educator
to use the same techniques as the classroom teacher for teaching
writing. That is a possibility. However, why not teach the concepts
with whole brain/body techniques? According to experts about 85%
of school age students are predominately kinesthetic
learners. Teaching students with our PE kinesthetic strategies can
increase and reinforce learning for a majority of students.
An example of "writing" in PE (K-2) is to declare a Letter
of the Day. If it's the letter B, for instance, teach the sign language
for B. Draw a B on the back of a partner. Make a capital B and a
lower case B with a jump rope and then with your body (you may need
a partner). Make a giant B on the gym floor and trace it while using
motor skills, scooter boards, dribbling a ball with
foot or hands.
Gather all the PE equipment that starts with the letter B (baseball,
basketball, beanbag, balance board). Act out motor skills that begin
with B (bounce, balance, bump). While bouncing a ball create a silly
rhyme like "Bouncing basketballs bonk Billy's Beanie."
Play a game where the movement can only go backwards (backwards
tag on a scooter board). Sing My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean and
stand and sit alternately each time the word starts with B. If a
student's name begins with B, have that student (Bianca) lead a
game of Bianca Says.
Create a word wall with all of the PE B words. Secure a large piece
of paper to the floor or wall. Give each student a marker. As they
leave the gym, each student writes a word or sentence on the paper
using the B. Example: Bouncy B is a ball.
"Playing" with letters and words using the whole body
teaches the brain the symbols and attaches its meaning. Kinesthetic
teaching strategies may look differently from traditional strategies,
but can be powerful for memory retention because the whole brain
and body are experiencing the learning.
My Opinion: You may have noticed that the games
above are our PE curriculum with academics attached.
In my opinion our PE curriculum is central to the
learning process and stands alone without us having to teach writing
for example. What we teach gives students the advantage they need
to prepare the brain
for optimal learning.
We are intent on increasing the health and learning of all
students. Therefore, we can reinforce cognition through movement
and by teaching academic concepts kinesthetically. If our
decision makers require us to teach writing during our class time,
why don't they require writing teachers
to provide movement in their class time?
If you'd like more information or lesson examples, email me or
visit my website. Thank you for your heart for KIDS!
Jean Blaydes Madigan
Neurokinesiologist/Consultant/M ED
Action Based Learning
fax: 972-424-2280
866-234-0475
www.actionbasedlearning.com
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