Physical Activity
Physical activity can help improve concentration, memory, and classroom behavior. Children should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day. This can be broken up into small segments of 5-10 minutes each. Activity can be introduced into routines and transitions, during academic lessons, or as breaks from instruction.
Physical Activity Ideas:
- Schedule movement breaks as part of your daily classroom routines, such as after the morning announcements or when transitioning between subjects.
- Start a conversation about supporting daily active recess with the Power Up Your Recess presentation.
- Discuss integrating activity into instruction using the Learning in Motion presentation.
- Ensure that screens aren’t used as a substitute for active recess during bad weather with the Screen Smart Schools presentation.
- Send a letter to parents describing weather conditions for outdoor play and suggested attire for going outdoors in hot or cold weather.
- Identify spaces in the school available for indoor recess during bad weather.
- Collect simple items for movement: hula hoops, bean bags, pool noodles, painter’s tape.
- Be active with students during recess and movement breaks (you’ll benefit from the movement too).
Additional Resources:
- Classroom physical activity tracking sheet
- Recess planning worksheet from Recess Lab
- Physically active games, lessons, and activities:
- Brain Break Ideas for Teachers
- Active Play, Active Learning brain break guide
- 3-5 Minute Physical Activity Breaks
- Game guides: The Big Wind Blows, Red Pepper, Green Pepper, Chili Pepper, Hot Tomato
- Fitness Break Cards
- Playworks Game Library (search by age, group size, indoor/outdoor, etc)
- Physical Activity Calendar
- Active lesson plans organized by subject and grade level
- Active Academics physical activities by grade and subject (requires login)
Wellness Policy:
Check your school district’s wellness policy for existing guidelines for physical activity during the school day, including recess and movement breaks. If necessary, work with your administrators to clarify expectations, including length of recess, weather conditions permitting outdoor recess, provisions for active indoor recess, not taking recess away as punishment, and frequency and length of movement breaks.