Movement that Counts

The Science and Research support Action Based Learning

Discover the science and research behind Action Based Learning teaching methodoloy. Understand the 12 Foundations of Learning Readiness and how we can use these to close learning gaps and set student's up for success in the classroom. Learn about the studies that support the use of purposeful movement in the classroom, physical activity throughout the school day, and its connection to learning. Gain valuable insight into the research that helped shape Action Based Learning initiatives in school districts around the world. 

Intro to the 12 Foundations of Learning Readiness

The Kinesthetic Classroom 2.0

Kinesthetic education is your answer to brain-friendly fun! Discover 100's of practical, clearly explained movements and activities that rev up your teaching and spark optimal learning. This extensively researched 4-part framework of activities promotes an energized learning environment where mental and emotional growth is met with physical, social, and cognitive engagement.  With little or no equipment and minimal planning time, this updated guide will help you:

• Find tips and information to initiate, manage, and organize a kinesthetic classroom
• Build a cohesive and safe learning environment that adapts to grade, fitness, and ability levels 
• Enhance neural connections with 90-second activities
• Implement activities for use in teaching core academic content along with music, art, and health

By: Mike Kuczala & Traci Lengel

Thinking on Your Feet

200+ Lesson Plans by Jean Moize

Brain research supports the link of movement to learning. Experts are saying that physical activity boosts brain function. Thinking on Your Feet has over 200 lesson plans using kinesthetic teaching strategies to teach academic concepts in reading, writing, math, social studies, and science. The lessons are organized according to Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, basic brain concepts, and national standards in each of the major subject areas. The advocacy information included supports the need for daily quality physical education in our schools. Brain research information and brain game activities give the teacher the basis of how to put learning into action in the gymnasium or classroom with students thinking on their feet! 

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READING JOGS THE MIND BY JEAN MOIZE

ACTION BASED LEARNING LESSONS FOR ELEMENTARY ELA 

These are simple, proven methods delivered in a 1 page format for the educator to easily implement and help students anchor ELA concepts. 

Brain Based v. Brain Compatible

Part of Action Based Learning is delivering information to students in a brain-based brain compatible way to ensure better encoding, storage and retrieval of information. Action Based Learning teachers give clear, concise directions, facilitate groups efficiently, celebrate the learning, process what happened in the brain and apply the learning.

Embodied Cognition is an Action Based Learning strategy that uses gestures, actions, and motion to explain a concept. The information is stored in several areas of the brain when more of the senses are involved increasing the possibility of retrieving learned concepts.

Each lesson uses purposeful movement layered with ELA concepts to 

• To reinforce ELA concepts & anchor learning in the classroom
• To prepare the brain for learning new ELA concepts
• To prepare the brain for testing

The lessons are designed to be paired with existing curriculum standards, and cover the following ELA concepts:

● LETTER RECOGNITION/LETTER FORMATION

● ALPHABET

● LETTER SOUNDS

● WORD RECOGNITION

● SPELLING

● PUNCTUATION

● PARTS OF SPEECH

● WORD DEFINITIONS

● WRITING

● CONTEXT CLUES

● STORY TELLING

● READING IS FUN!

● LINKING LITERATURE

Who benefits from Action Based Learning Lessons?

All students can learn. All students’ levels of health and wellness can be improved. Both are dynamic systems that are constantly changing. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to change throughout our lifetime. Brains can and do change. Because of epigenetics, teachers can have a positive impact on a changing brain by providing a brain-based compatible learning environment that fosters optimal learning.

Spark

Did you know you can beat stress, lift your mood, fight memory loss, sharpen your intellect, and function better than ever simply by elevating your heart rate and breaking a sweat? The evidence is incontrovertible: aerobic exercise physically remodels our brains for peak performance. 

In SPARK, John Ratey, MD embarks upon a fascinating journey through the mind-body connection, illustrating that exercise is truly our best defense against everything from depression to ADD to addiction to menopause to Alzheimer's. Filled with amazing case studies (such as the revolutionary fitness program in Naperville, Illinois that has put the local school district of 19,000 kids first in the world of science test scores), SPARK is the first book to explore comprehensively the connection between exercise and the brain. It will change forever the way you think about your morning run.