News Archives - Page 2 of 7 - School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy in BC

October 15, 2023/in News /by Jenna Leslie

Using the project’s Linking Indigenous Cultural Sports and Activities to Physical Literacy card set, you can engage your students in cultural activities and reflection questions to support their physical literacy development.

When it comes to Indigenous knowledge, it is important to understand where students are in their traditional activity experiences. For various reasons, many Indigenous students do not have access to traditional activities. We encourage educators to lead group discussions to develop an understanding of where their students are in their traditional activity journey.

Play music, head outdoors if possible, and most importantly, have fun! Here are a few ways you could use the cards with your class:

Create Student-led Games: Allow students to lead the designing and conducting of physical activities inspired by the cultural activity card set. Encourage creativity and inclusive participation.
Mentorship and Guessing Game: Organize a mentorship role where students share their knowledge of a specific cultural activity with their peers.
Storytelling and Physical Literacy: Invite students to share personal stories of how physical literacy has impacted their lives. Encourage them to envision a future where physical literacy is central to their well-being.
Lessons from Ancestors: Reflect on the role of parents, grandparents, community members and Elders in physical literacy experiences. Encourage students to think about the lessons they would like to pass on to future generations.
Self-Reflection and Growth: Help students appreciate their progress in becoming physically literate individuals. Emphasize that learning takes time, and it’s okay to make mistakes along the way.

By integrating the First Peoples Principles of Learning, we celebrate diversity and foster a deeper connection with physical literacy. Let’s embark on this journey together, recognizing the importance of cultural heritage and the growth physical literacy can bring to our lives.

Access the Linking Indigenous Cultural Sports and Activities to Physical Literacy card set here.

I•SPARC would like to thank the hard work and commitment of the working group for this resource, composed of Indigenous leaders, educators and physical literacy experts.

October 3, 2023/in News /by Jenna Leslie

As educators, we understand the significance of physical literacy in nurturing a lifelong passion for movement and overall well-being among our students. An exciting and effective way to achieve this is by introducing short movement breaks throughout the school day. These breaks foster physical literacy, improve focus, and enhance learning experiences.

To make these moments of movement even more engaging and accessible, we have a fantastic resource: The Movement Activity Cards!

Using the Movement Activity Cards

The movement activity cards are designed to be an accessible and engaging resource for educators. These cards feature diverse activities that promote physical literacy and can be seamlessly integrated into the classroom routine to create fun and dynamic learning experiences. Here are some ways educators can use movement activity cards to enhance physical literacy development:

Morning Energizer: Kickstart the day with a morning energizer using a movement activity card. Gather students in the gymnasium or outdoors and engage them in a quick, lively activity to invigorate their bodies and minds for the day ahead.
Brain Breaks: Use movement activity cards as brain breaks between lessons to help students transition smoothly and refresh their minds. Quick and enjoyable activities help release excess energy, making students more attentive and engaged in their studies.
Physical Education Lessons: Integrate movement activity cards into lessons to reinforce fundamental movement skills. These cards can be a starting point for creative games and activities promoting skill development and teamwork.
Hallway Movement Stations: Transform hallway transitions into opportunities for physical literacy development. Place movement activity cards on bulletin boards or walls along the hallway and encourage students to perform the activities as they move from one class to another.
Outdoor Classroom: Take learning beyond the four walls by incorporating movement activity cards into outdoor lessons. Conduct science experiments, math challenges, or creative writing exercises using the cards as prompts for movement-based activities in the schoolyard or nearby park.
Cross-Curricular Integration: Integrate movement activity cards into other subject areas, such as incorporating movement activities related to historical events, literature characters, or scientific concepts.
Reward System: Implement movement activity cards as a reward system for students who demonstrate positive behaviour. Allowing students to choose a card as a reward encourages active participation and fosters a positive classroom atmosphere.
Special Events and Assemblies: Make school events and assemblies more interactive by incorporating movement activity cards. During breaks or intermissions, have students participate in movement challenges or mini-games inspired by the cards.
Team-Building Activities: Use movement activity cards as a team-building tool during group projects or collaborative activities. Engage students in cooperative games that promote communication, trust, and teamwork while enhancing physical literacy.
Family Engagement: Encourage family involvement by sending students home with movement activity cards to share with their families. Create a fun challenge for students to complete activities with their parents or siblings, fostering physical literacy beyond the school day.

The activities from the movement activity cards are sourced from various project resources, including PLAYBuilder, project workshops, and downloadable materials on the School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy project website. Feel free to explore the project website for more fantastic class activities!

Incorporating movement activity cards into our classroom instruction opens doors to a world of active learning possibilities. As we cultivate physical competence, boost confidence in movement, and inspire a lifelong passion for staying active, we equip our students with invaluable skills for a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling journey through life. Let’s transform our classrooms into vibrant spaces where learning and movement converge and our students flourish.

September 12, 2023/in News /by Jenna Leslie

As educators, we strive to foster physical literacy in our students – a crucial foundation for a lifetime of active and healthy living. One fantastic way to achieve this is through the timeless classic of tag games! These playful activities not only keep children active but also cultivate fundamental movement skills, spatial awareness, and teamwork.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the value of incorporating tag games into your class and introduce three exciting tag games suitable for grades K-7 that will create a fun, inclusive, and active learning environment for all students.

Why Play Tag?

Develops Fundamental Movement Skills: Tag games are a goldmine for nurturing fundamental movement skills in students. Children enhance their agility and balance as they sprint, pivot, weave, reach, and dodge. The constant movement and diverse physical actions in tag games contribute to well-rounded physical literacy development.
Builds an Understanding of Strategies: Engaging in tag activities makes students more spatially aware and teaches them various strategies that can be applied to other games, sports, or activities. They learn to read and anticipate movements, fostering critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Allows Everyone an Opportunity to Play: Inclusive by nature, tag games ensure that every student is actively participating at the same time. There’s no waiting for turns or sitting on the sidelines. This inclusive approach boosts confidence and encourages collaboration among students.
Easy and Fun: Tag games are simple to set up and require minimal equipment, making them accessible and time-efficient. With short preparation time, students can engage more in the game, maximizing active play and enjoyment.

Three Exciting Tag Games to Try

Pac Man Tag: In this game, students hop, skip, and leap between hula hoops to evade taggers. When tagged, the student becomes a tagger, increasing the number of people “it.” Alternatively, you can play the game so that only one person is “it” at a time, and tagging someone changes their role to the tagger.
Symmetry Tag: Taggers must wear pinnies. When tagged, students must create a symmetrical or asymmetrical shape with their body and freeze. They are freed if another student copies their shape and holds it for three seconds. This game promotes creativity and spatial awareness while developing fundamental movement skills.
Dribble Tag: Spread hula hoops around the playing area with a ball inside each hoop. Designate two or three students as taggers. When tagged, students must go to the nearest hoop, dribble the ball on the spot ten times, and re-enter the game. This game combines dribbling skills with tag for an active and engaging experience.

Tag games are a source of pure fun and a powerful tool for developing students’ physical literacy. By incorporating these playful activities into your day, you can foster fundamental movement skills, strategic thinking, inclusivity, and teamwork in your classroom.

Looking for more tag games to try with your class? Check out our Tag for Physical Literacy resource!

August 24, 2023/in News /by Jenna Leslie

Teacher mentoring has become a powerful tool for promoting physical literacy in elementary schools. Extensive research supports the effectiveness of mentoring programs in enhancing teaching skills, job satisfaction, student achievement, and professional development.

Let’s explore the compelling evidence that highlights the significance of teacher mentoring for fostering physical literacy.

1. Improved Teaching Skills: Mentoring helps novice teachers enhance instructional practices, classroom management, and assessment techniques. This leads to a more effective learning environment for physical literacy development.
2. Increased Job Satisfaction: Mentoring boosts job satisfaction and commitment to the teaching profession by offering emotional support and reducing feelings of isolation.
3. Retention of New Teachers: Mentoring reduces attrition rates, ensuring educators a longer and more fulfilling teaching career.
4. Professional Development: Personalized mentoring provides tailored professional development opportunities, enabling teachers to effectively refine their approaches to promote physical literacy. Resources suggestion: “For more ways to refine your physical literacy journey, check out The Educators Physical Activity & Physical Literacy Journey.
5. Student Achievement: Mentored teachers better meet students’ diverse needs, improving academic performance and physical literacy development.
6. Social and Emotional Support: Mentoring addresses teachers’ well-being, indirectly benefiting students’ social and emotional development.
7. Professional Networking: Mentoring facilitates networking opportunities, allowing teachers to connect with experienced educators and access valuable resources.

Embracing teacher mentoring in elementary schools has far-reaching benefits for physical literacy development. By supporting educators through mentorship, we positively impact students’ lives, promoting a healthier and more active generation.

Sources:

Ingersoll, R. M., & Kralik, J. M. (2004). The impact of mentoring on reducing teacher turnover. Educational Administration Quarterly, 40(5), 608-632.
Ingersoll, R. M., & Strong, M. (2011). The impact of induction and mentoring programs for beginning teachers: A critical review of the research. Review of Educational Research, 81(2), 201-233.
Johnson, S. M., & Birkeland, S. E. (2003). Pursuing a “sense of success”: New teachers explain their career decisions. American Educational Research Journal, 40(3), 581-617.
Smith, T. M., & Ingersoll, R. M. (2004). What are the effects of induction and mentoring on beginning teacher turnover? American Educational Research Journal, 41(3), 681-714.
Villar, A., & Strong, M. (2007). Do induction and mentoring matter? Teacher retention and development in the United States. In J. Smithers & N. S. Hannaway (Eds.), The international handbook of school effectiveness research (pp. 935-952). Routledge.
Wong, H. K., & Nicotera, A. M. (2003). The effects of school district functioning on beginning teacher retention. Elementary School Journal, 103(1), 87-106.
Darling-Hammond, L., & Sykes, G. (1999). Wanted: A national teacher supply policy for education: The right way to meet the “highly qualified teacher” challenge. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 7(33).
Achinstein, B., & Athanases, S. Z. (2003). Mentors in the making: Developing new leaders for new teachers. Teachers College Press.

July 17, 2023/in News /by Jenna Leslie

Do your students have trouble sitting still?

Research has repeatedly shown that sitting for extended periods is not only detrimental to students’ health, it can also lead to misbehaviour and inability to focus. That’s why educators are increasingly exploring ways to get kids up and moving during the school day.

A study completed by Tan Leng Goh in 2017 observed classrooms in the United States and examined the effects of an initiative called Take 10, in which students were encouraged to take small movement breaks throughout the day. Using pedometers, it followed 137 third to fifth-graders from one ethnically diverse elementary school.

“In this study, we demonstrated that by incorporating on average one classroom physical activity per day, students were able to accumulate more than 800 daily in-school step counts. In addition, we found that students’ on-task behaviour improved after they participated,” the report reads.

Six benefits of regular movement breaks during the day are:

Less acting out and challenging behaviour
Increased focus/attention span
Improved academic performance
Improved mental health
Decreased risk of depression
Higher self-esteem

According to Dana Kleinjan, author of the research paper Movement Matters: The Importance of Incorporating Movement in the Classroom, the “part of the brain that processes movements and actions is the same part of the brain that is responsible for and processes learning. Because of this, when movement and cognitive development is combined, it increases the number of neurons being used, and over time, will allow them to become more efficient.”

And though these findings give teachers ample reason to incorporate movement breaks into their days, Tan Leng Goh emphasized that to impact students’ lifelong physical literacy fully, educators should aim to encourage movement both within and outside the school schedule.

“Also of note is that while our study demonstrates there are positive outcomes … following students’ participation in the program, it is but one small step in changing healthy physical activity behaviour among children and youth,” the report reads.

“We need to recognize other components, such as physical education, physical activity before and after school, staff involvement, and family/community involvement.”

To access a library of physical activities to use inside the classroom and out, check out PLAYBuilder.

June 12, 2023/in News /by Jenna Leslie

Encouraging students to engage in physical activity is one of the most transformative things we can do for their brains — and has implications for the rest of their lives. According to neuroscientist and author Wendy Suzuki, physical activity has a stronger impact on the brain than some would think.

“A few years ago I did something very unusual in science. As a full professor of neuroscience I decided to completely switch my research program because I encountered something that was so amazing with the potential to change so many lives that I had to study it,” she said during a TED Talk in 2017.

“I discovered and I experienced the brain-changing effects of exercise.”

Impacting students for life

Suzuki spent several years studying the subject, while also incorporating more physical activity into her own life to experience the effects firsthand. She learned that physical activity has immediate, long-lasting and protective benefits for the brain, while shielding the participant from cognitive disorders such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

“Exercise is the most transformative thing you can do for your brain today,” she said.

Students will especially benefit, because regular physical activity boosts students’ moods, improves their focus, solidifies their memory and even helps them pay attention in the classroom. A single physical activity instantly increases the level of neurotransmitters being distributed, including dopamine and serotonin, and the increase to focus and productivity will last at least two hours.

“Exercise actually changes the brain’s anatomy, physiology and function.”

That’s because when students engage in physical activity, they’re actually building up the brain as if it were a muscle. This protects them from any kind of cognitive decline, and slows diseases or disorders they may encounter during their lifetime.

“The good news is you don’t have to be a triathlete to get these effects. The rule of thumb is you want to get three to four times a week minimum, thirty minutes an exercise session.”

Bodies and brains

According to Suzuki, you don’t necessarily need to go to the gym to receive these positive effects. Encouraging students to make active choices in the moment, such as choosing to take the stairs instead of the elevator, can have the identical impact. It may just mean taking full advantage of recess and lunch breaks to get moving and have fun.

As students prepare for their long-awaited summer break, it’s a good time to remind them of the benefits of physical activity – both on their bodies and on their brains. Whether that means running down a dock and jumping into a lake, going for a nice long bike ride or even climbing a tree, the positive effects will follow them right back into the classroom in September.

Relevant resources

Amazing Races Outdoor Physical Literacy Activity

Making the Link: Physical Activity and Mental Well-being

Physical Literacy Beyond the Gym: Creative Ways to Keep Students Moving Throughout the Day

May 26, 2023/in News /by Jenna Leslie

When it comes to physical literacy development, there’s no substitute for time.

As educators, it’s important to be aware of the role that a student’s age plays as they learn fundamental movement skills. We may end up with students whose birthdays are nearly a year apart, and that has implications on how to approach cultivating their physical skills.

Sometimes the only thing standing between a student and learning a particular skill is the time they need to grow.

Keeping watch

As an elementary school educator, there are specific groups of students that require extra attention while teaching physical activities:

Students who are the youngest in their grade – the December babies
Those who are physically less mature than their peers
Those with a pervasive coordination problem

Keeping these students in mind when designing lessons will ensure there isn’t a learning disparity between children of different ages or developmental ages.

Tips for teaching

The approach teachers take to instructing students of various developmental ages can feel daunting, and will change from one class to the next, but there are some simple ways to level the playing field for students.

Break down a skill into small components that let a student who is less developmentally advanced experience some success.
Modify equipment to make skills easier to do. For instance, play badminton with balloons and not shuttlecocks.
Shorten the distance and increase the target size for throwing or kicking.
Alter the rules to games for those who are not as developmentally advanced.
Pick teams to avoid one-sided games.

It’s difficult to correctly identify where every student currently is in their physical literacy journey, but by following these steps you can ensure that all of them have a fair chance to learn. Adjusting your teaching methods to take developmental age into consideration will have an impact on students long after they leave your classroom.

May 16, 2023/in News /by Jenna Leslie

Children spend more time at school than anywhere else, so if we want students to gain a lifelong love for physical activity, it’s crucial to start in the classroom. The skills that they develop as part of the B.C. curriculum will become the foundation for becoming active for life, and having the motivation and competence necessary to develop their physical literacy over the long term.

Here are some key strategies to ignite their passion for movement:

#1. Create activities based on their interests

Fun is a key part of any physical activity at school, and kids love to play games based on characters and stories they already know. That’s why it’s a great idea to base the games on things that are popular, such as Harry Potter, Paw Patrol, or Minecraft.

When introducing a new sport of physical activity to students, make sure they’re enjoying it rather than just going through the motions. Introduce friendly competition, and give them goals to achieve that will give them a sense of satisfaction. If something seems like it’s too challenging, or there’s a risk of strain or injury, simply adjust the activity to suit their needs. Make sure to encourage the students, congratulating them on individual achievements, and liven things up with team cheers, colourful equipment and maybe even music.

Teachers can even consider jumping in to participate!

#2. Build their community

Once a student knows how to do something, and seems to be really enjoying it, support them in finding opportunities to continue doing the activity outside of school.

This could mean introducing them to a sports team, connecting them with a recreation facility, or encouraging them to join a club. Doing research on what your community has to offer will help you find the opportunities your students need to keep going with their physical literacy development. Teachers can also inquire about partnerships or field trips that the students could participate in to learn more and get introduced to new environments that will benefit their physical development journey.

#3. Take small steps

Sometimes goal-setting can be daunting, and can leave the student discouraged.

When you’re encouraging your students to engage in a physical activity, try to give them simple and easy to achieve tasks that will give them a sense of growth and accomplishment. For instance, a teacher could set a goal of completing five laps of the track to meet the student where they’re at if they know the student has already completed four in the past, or gradually throwing a football farther and farther as they gain confidence. Teachers should avoid any activities that strain or overwhelm the student, as this could lead to injury and them losing interest. By giving them small and achievable goals, teachers can boost the confidence of their students and set them on the track to success.

To learn more, check out our Lasting Impacts resources. To organize your curriculum offerings, check out PLAYBuilder.

April 17, 2023/in News /by Jenna Leslie

Being a role model for students is one crucial way we can help them develop physical literacy— demonstrating positive physical activity habits can be an impactful way to encourage students to become active for life. But how can we do that?

Here are three ideas that you can implement, to become a physical literacy role model for your students:

#1. Encourage students to mimic your movements

Active role models are important!

When students watch educators being active, their own brain cells are engaged. If teachers demonstrate how to properly complete an activity – whether it’s stretching, jumping through hoola hoops or teaching students how to hop on one foot – students instinctively want to copy what’s being demonstrated. By using proper techniques in your demonstrations, you give students a visual aid on how to properly complete the task. This mimicry can lead to the student feeling confident and motivated to try new skills and build their existing physical competency.

So, rather than standing on the sidelines while kids are playing soccer, teachers can inspire their students by jumping into the mix and having fun alongside them!

#2. Promote diverse activities

During classroom time, share and promote a variety of activities and sports on classroom bulletin boards and within assignments. Sharing your own passion for basketball, jogging, swimming laps, etc., will give the students an idea of the diverse possibilities offered in sport and recreation, and make them more likely to try them out.

Seeing pictures or videos of their teacher doing these activities – or better yet, seeing it in person if possible– will make those activities seem less daunting, and increase the likelihood that they’ll engage in those activities during their extracurricular hours.

#3. Play Follow the Leader

A fun activity to explore with students is Follow the Leader, which can be adapted for the playground, the gym or the classroom. Take the lead with a long line of students behind you, and move through obstacles such as pylons or safety cones, demonstrating particular movement skills that can be copied by the students. These include hopping, skipping or crab-walking (and many others!). Once you’re confident that students understand how to complete the activity properly, give them an opportunity to take turns being the leader.

As students continue to develop their motivation and physical competency, teachers can make the activity more difficult by incorporating more difficult moves like clambering over playground features, using the monkey bars or running at a high speed.

For more ideas on how to develop physical literacy with your students, visit the School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy project website and PLAYBuilder.

March 24, 2023/in News /by Jenna Leslie

The link between physical activity and mental well-being is well established. Physical activity helps students to build mental resilience, manage emotions and develop adaptive coping strategies for the classroom and throughout their lifetime. So, we should always be looking for ways to keep our students engaged and moving for the recommended 60 minutes per day!

Here are five fun ways we can get students physically active in the classroom, in the gym, and outdoors:

When interest and energy levels start to dip, encourage students to have an active moment (e.g., a big stretch, raising their hands above their head, free movement).
Play “Rock Paper Scissors Math” when learning new skills. This interactive game brings movement to math class by having students use their whole body to show their selected sign and use their skills to add and subtract numbers. Add and subtract classmates across the room instead of using numbers on paper.
Go for a walk and take your lesson outside the classroom (e.g., land-based learning, outdoor spaces, vacant rooms, or an open gymnasium) to provide opportunities for developing physical literacy.
Develop non-competitive scavenger hunts. Encourage students to explore their environment and use it to deepen their understanding of the learning material.
Give students the option to stand or change positions during lessons, when they’re able and it’s appropriate.

Introducing these simple strategies to classroom schedules will go a long way to keeping our students engaged, healthy and happy!

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