Lesson

Methods for Getting Kids to Move During School

Encourage kids to move more at school by demonstrating some ways they can add movement throughout their school day.

Objectives

  • Plan ways to add physical activity to daily school routines.

Info to Know

Move is physical activity. To move is to participate in a sport, play, exercise, or do a leisure activity such as walking. Health experts recommend that youth get at least one hour of physical activity each day, but you do not have to do it all at once! 

One way to get essential movement in during the school day is to include brain breaks and brain boosts throughout the day. Check out 50 Educational Brain Breaks for quick and easy activities to help kids re-energize, focus, and boost brainpower!

Set The Stage

Ask kids to think about the many ways they move at school. Have selected kids demonstrate some school-day moves. Examples: sharpening a pencil, passing out paper, sitting on the rug, walking to the lunchroom.

To use this with your students click here.

Captivate

Get Moving!

Begin with a fitBoost!

Educate

School Day Exercises for Kids

Discuss ways to move at school. Examples include:

  • Stand at your desk while doing school work.
  • Hop instead of walk.
  • Do arm crosses while walking in the halls.
  • Do wall sits while waiting.
  • Skip or run around the playground before playing recess games.

Check for understanding: What are your favorite ways to move at school?

Activate

School Day Move Choices

Students write or draw move choices they can make throughout the school day on their Add Move to Your Day printable. Let them know they will fill in the other sections during future lessons.

Close the Lesson

Today we learned about how we can increase our movement while at school. Next, we will look for more movement opportunities at home.

Grade: 3-5

Time: 20 Minutes

What You'll Need

Resources

Materials
  • Markers
  • Poster Board or White Board
  • Slideshow

Health Education Standards

  • Standard 1: Core Concepts–Regularly engage in physical activities to enhance body and brain
  • Standard 4: Interpersonal Communication 
  • Standard 5: Decision-Making

Social and Emotional Learning Competencies

  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
  • Responsible Decision-Making

Extend the Lesson

  • Play the fitGame, Daily Moves, to help kids think about ways to be active throughout the day.
  • Play the fitGame Memory Power, to build awareness of how movement connects to learning.
  • Watch the video, Be Active Every Day, to learn how movement benefits your body and brain.

View the fit Units and Lessons Scope and Sequence Chart.

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