Amanda Rouse PLA@103 I like to keep scholars moving throughout the day. Whether it's shifting where we've chosen to sit in the room from time-to-time, moving/dancing with words or number facts, moving through the room to collaborate and share, or a wide variety of other ways to keep scholars moving (scheduled brain breaks, spontaneous brain breaks, a quick stand and stretch/deep breaths, etc) moving is vitally important to keeping scholars engaged with their learning as well as creating a solid connection between mind and body. As far as the power of media, I feel it's a powerful tool because scholars can relate and connect to it. It's a good attention grabber, but it's also a way for a scholar to perhaps better be able to "see" and understand.
One of the instructional strategies I use to promote student movement include using physical mnemonics (memory strategies). An example is telling the students to copy what I do and say when we are memorizing the types of line… Say “H”. Say “Horizontal”. Remember & draw in the air the capital letter “H”. Put your arms out like the middle line in the capital letter “H”. Roll your back and forth on the middle line of the capital letter “H”... your head is like the sun on the horizon line. See the horizon line in my picture? Draw a horizon line in your picture. Say “H”. Say “Horizontal”. Say “H”. Say “Horizon line”. Say “V”. Say “Vertical”. Remember & draw in the air the capital letter “V”. Put your arms up like the letter “V”. Say Voorm… like a rocket going straight up into the sky.. See the vertical line in my picture? Draw a vertical line in your picture. Say “V”. Say “Vertical”. Say “V”. Put your arms up like the letter “V”. Say “Vertical line”. Say “d”. Say “Diagonal”. Remember & draw in the air the lowercase letter “d”. Put your arms up like a tilted letter “d”... on a diagonal... like it is “d”iving into the water. Say “d”iving. See the diagonal line in my picture? Draw a vertical line in your picture. Say “d”. Say “Diagonal”. Say “d”. Put your arms up like a tilted letter “d”... on a diagonal... like it is “d”iving into the water. Say “d”iving. Say “Diagonal”. I also allow scholars to get up and move around to different locations in the room where they can focus their best attention to the task at hand… sometimes this means they want to be alone and sometimes it means they want to work with others, I agree with and practice bringing media into the learning environment, not just to grab students’ attention, but also connect with them… because what makes media so powerful is it connects outside resources that they connect to… community members, famous heroes, and what social media or entertainment they use or are exposed to every day. It allows students to see people, just like them reading, creating, explaining how they think at higher levels, how they keep trying and challenging themselves to be successful in what they do, and share their successes and failures to show that is how they learn and grow. Janine Shafer PLA@103
Those mnemonic devices are so helpful and important, adding in the movement is great. Saying, repeating, using our bodies, seeing the example, all of those things together mean extra learning that will stick with us for sure!
Movement is so important while teaching and learning. Movement definitely promotes engagement with scholars. Musical discussion is a great strategy to promote movement. This activity can be used as a community builder or as a way for students to further discuss a topic or concept from your classroom. As you play music, the students walk around the classroom. Once the music stops, they find the closest person to them. Ask a question that they discuss with their partner. This could be get-to-know-you questions like what their favorite TV show is or a content-related question for them to explore together.
To increase the rigor of the assignment, you can ask the question before starting the music to give students more thinking time and to alleviate any anxiety that students may feel about talking to others.
This is a fun activity to get students moving and socializing with students in the class that they otherwise may not interact with much. It also takes out the awkward panicked feeling of a student needing to find a partner for an assignment.
Media is a very powerful tool to use in the classroom, if done effectively. Media (audio and visual), can engage scholars with current events and real life experiences that they can relate to. Media can be used to bridge the gap between content taught in the classroom to content that interest them. This would make the content in class more relatable and therefore easier for them to retain.
Our school uses the Spalding Phonogram method. In this method each phonogram has a hand gesture. We first teach the gesture connected with the phonogram and then when we teach blending they use the gestures to sound out the word. The method really helps the children recall the sound. It is fun to see them reading on their own. Whenever they get stuck on a work, they will start making the hand gesture until they've sounded out the word. I am an advocate of multisensory teaching.
This past year I received funding for BrainPOPJr through Donor's Choose. The scholars loved it! The characters Annie and Moby became honorary members of our class. My students couldn't wait to find out what Annie and Moby would teach them each day. It was a fun way to introduce a topic and start thinking. First graders still have a strong sense of imagination. Media helps to bring out that curiosity.
I really like Brain Pop & Brain Pop Jr. as well. Students find the videos both entertaining and informative which definitely enhances the learning process. You should also look at Go Noodle which is free.
Our scholars spend seven or more hours in school a day. In my opinion it is unreasonable to expect them to sit quietly throughout their lessons and classwork. Movement throughout the day helps students to re-energize their bodies and their brains, helping them to focus and concentrate better.
One of my favorite ways to incorporate movement in a lesson is to add a gesture or motion to vocabulary words or important concepts. For example, for the word “weathering,” the motion would be one hand making a chopping motion, representing wind or water chipping away at a rock. For “erosion,” the motion would be one hand moving like a wave, representing the movement of sediments from one place to another. Each time the students say the word, they do the gesture/motion. Having the connection between the word and the accompanying gesture helps students internalize the vocabulary.
I utilize several strategies to promote in my classroom. The most obvious way to use movement is through transitions to groups or stations during reading and math blocks. I am a firm believer in brain breaks so during that time I like to put on a Go Noodle video from which there are many to choose from. Some introduce students to chanting and clapping movements, while others include physical activities including running, jumping, skipping, and dodging. They also have educational videos that teach skills such as phonics, math, grammar, social studies, and science skills. They also have videos that teach scholars different dances such as the chicken dance, hokey pokey, macarena, and the electric slide. These movements not only provide movement and fun, but learning as well.
Media is another valuable tool to utilize in the classroom to enhance learning and make things more relatable to students by incorporating real-world experiences that can make the skills and concepts more meaningful to the scholars. Research has show that if students find topics relatable to them personally they will work harder to accomplish the tasks at hand. The great thing about media today is that it is current and up to the minute as well as being readily available not only to the teachers, but the scholars as well.
Frederick Pittman 4th/5th grade math & science teacher H.I.A.T.
GoNoodle is also my go-to for brain breaks and transitions in the Media Center. My scholars were particularly fond of the MooseTube videos this school year.
I teach kindergarten and my scholars love Go Noodle. We use it in the mornings to help us start our day with a "Rainbow Breathing Technique". I also use it for Brainbreaks and indoor recess.
I also use media as my "hook" to grab there attention and help them connect to the topic.
In my opinion, the most important thing in this chapter is recognizing that we cannot jump to the Evaluate and Create stages of learning. Scholars must have a solid base of Remember, Understand, Apply.
Another very important part of getting scholars to the Create and Analyze levels of learning is training teachers on how to make the shifts. We cannot assume all teachers can effectively teach at the Evaluate and Create levels of learning. This might mean taking a standard that would normally be taught in one lesson at the Remember/Understand stage and spreading it out over 3-4 lessons to get scholars to the Evaluate/Create stage. This will take more time and will require teachers to get creative with their time in the classroom.
Finally, the section where they talked about scholar movement gets more oxygen to the brain and increases scholar retention is by no means ground breaking, but it should be noted that some schools are taking away recess and PE classes. It is up to us, as administrators to make sure our teachers are working in movement times before lessons. Could be PE class, could be recess, could be a few simple stretches before a lesson, anything to get that oxygen to the brain.
Alec Mayer, Assistant Principal, PLA93, Indianapolis, IN
During my years in the classroom I was always looking for ways to add movement to our learning. Having been a student athlete, even through college, I found it difficult to just sit and listen and this prompted me to find ways to allow my scholars to move. Some of the things I have used in the past have been brain breaks so that they are ready to absorb new information after dancing/yoga/stretching/exercising etc. Also, I have had skip counting parades where the scholars will march to different beats while skip counting or create hand/body movements to pair with academic vocabulary and the definition.
Bringing Media into the learning environment is a way to connect with scholars and their interests. Media allows you to bring current and up to date information into the classroom so that you can utilize high interest topics with your scholars.
These intentional bursts of movement, prior to introducing a new concept can be very effective. It gets the blood/oxygen flowing, and gives the scholars another reference point for memory.
Amy Jo Miller, Assistant Principal, Chapel Hill Academy
I've used many instructional strategies that include movement. A couple of my favorite are Four Corners, Think-Pair-Share, and Evaluate an Author's Reasoning.
Using Media is a powerful teaching tool because it is current, trendy, and it allows your to grab the attention of the audience with high interest topics. Our students live in a media rich world and educators can become a part of their world by embracing it.
Sarah Williams-Chapel Hill Academy I have used movement with the 4 Corners Activity (posing a question and having the students choose a corner for their response, then having to explain it) and I also use partner activities where students have to get up and choose a partner that is not next to them to have a discussion somewhere in the classroom...kind of like Think-Pair-Share.
Using media is powerful because for these students, it is such a big part of their culture. They are on media constantly, so that is how they learn best. They are much more engaged to media than they are to a lecture.
one way strategy I use to include movement, is by incorporating physical movement while learning/ teaching content. For scholars in lower grades who are still learning the alphabet and how to count, I may use rhythmic movement and clapping while practicing the alphabet or while counting.
What makes media powerful is that it can be used to meet multiple learning styles and styles of learning. It also allows scholars a voice other than the teacher's. Although it does not replace the teacher, it can be used to personalize learning to meet the individual need of the scholar.
This has been a most difficult year in the classroom for movement because of the COVID protocol. Scholars like to collaborative aspect of moving from one place to another as in stations even if it’s a virtual group.
I use stations as part of my math and reading curriculum. As a form of movement, students navigate different learning places within the physical classroom or the Google Classroom. Some of the activities included Think Pair Share. First, scholars are giving a question that they have to answer on their own. Next, they pair themselves with another student or group members and come to a consensus about their answer. Finally, they share their answer with me. I always require each group to have a leader (one who leads the discussion), a scribe (one who records their answers), and a spokes person (one who relates the group’s final answer in their discussion with me).
I also use media in my teaching from a historical perspective as well as an opportunity to engage scholars where they are in hopes of moving them to the next level of learning. I recognize that sometimes scholars don't always get what I'm trying to teach. Bringing media into the classroom gives them another voice and perhaps a better understanding of a concept, problem, or situation.
Dr. Deborah Godwin-Starks TLJA, 5th Grade Teacher Fort Wayne, Indiana
I love using stations as a way for the scholars to learn and move around the room while interacting with other scholars. It allows them to learn from each other as well as seeing others point of view on open ended stations.
On way I have included movement is in a lesson on division. Each step of the long division has its on dance movement and we sing the steps as a chant. For example: First divide we do a slash through the air. Scholars use media all the time in their lives. It is a powerful tool because we can connect their interests to the content using media. Also, by using media, we can bring in multiple points of view on a topic so students can learn from different perspectives.
I think including movement in a lesson to learn division is great. Students are able to really engage in learning this math concept or any subject matter when it is paired with something they are interested in. This includes and not limited to movement, songs and media.
There are a couple of plans I have to try to engage movement into my class this next year that I did not really get to do much this past year because of the virtual learning situation. One is the "Breathing Gym". Proper breathing technique and breath support is vital to both playing instruments and singing, but it can even help with relaxation and athletic performance. Some of the movements related to learning to properly breath are small, but will require scholars to truly focus on their bodies. Others can be have larger movements to help get scholars into the mind frame of what the breathe should be doing (examples are breathing like you are trying to shoot darts or breathing like you are floating a paper airplane and doing motions to help reinforce those ideas). Another thing I want to work on this year is actually having the scholars learn how to conduct at the front of a group. I am hoping that the movement required to conduct will reinforce the concept of a strong and steady beat to the scholars, as well as give them experience in leading a small group.
In my classroom, media is powerful because it allows for authentic performance to be brought into the classroom. This last year in particular, we focused a lot on different cultures and heritage/history months throughout the school year. I am, obviously, not an expert in all forms of music, so by using different forms of media, I am able to bring in experts or examples to show the scholars the authentic forms of these cultural performances. A prime example was when discussing the music of Indigenous peoples of the United States. I was able to find a couple of Tik Tok performers, one Cree and one Inuit, that literally dedicate their platform to educating people on their culture. So, I was able to show authentic performances and allow the people that truly understood the significance of the different musical traditions explain it in their own words, which also allowed the scholars to see the passion these young people had for their cultural traditions. This is much more than I could have ever done and said if I was just trying to explain it all myself.
I am able to incorporate movement into Media during our transition times. Typically, I use GoNoodle, so scholars can have a short break between our activities. Scholars enjoy picking which video we are going to do. There are also times when I can tell that a majority of the scholars would benefit from some deep breathing to get refocused, and GoNoodle has wonderful guided breathing lessons as well.
A large part of our time together in Media is spent on an interactive read aloud. I use a variety of media to enhance our read alouds. For example, this past school year, we did a unit on graphic novels. My littles (K-2) read several books from the Narwhal and Jelly series by Ben Clanton. To help engage the scholars, we viewed nonfiction videos about the different animals in the books that we read. Scholars learned the "Narwhal & Jelly" song by Emily Arrow, which has movements to the song. We also became narwhals during the song by wearing sparkly party hats. Through the end of the year, the scholars were still requesting the "Narwhal & Jelly" song to be done at the end of class, even though we finished our Narwhal & Jelly series at the beginning of April. Integrating different types of media in lessons engages scholars, connects to their interests, and keeps the material relevant.
One way that I bring movement into my room is with Orton-Gillingham for phonics. OG is a program that incorporates kinesthetics and sensory while learning phonics. Some of the movement activities are tapping out red words/sight words along with sight word aerobics. We use sand when spelling our letter sounds which allows for movement and texture. I also use brain break for movement. I try to connect my brain break with the concepts we are learning at the time. So when we are learning letter sounds or sight words the brain break are geared toward those concepts. If we're learning patterns the brain break usually has patterns to connect the concept. During stations the scholars usually have an activity that allows them to move. Some activities include scoots, write the room or scavenger hunts. The scholars are moving around the room as thy are doing stations and interacting with other scholars. Movement is a must in my classroom.
As a first year Librarian I was unable to do many movement activities due to Covid 19. Next year the plan is to do a group read for 15 minutes with Scholars sitting on chairs in a semi-circle. Media topics also will be covered such as genres, choosing a book, reading the pictures, and other library information scholars should learn. Then they will move to their table where they may choose/read books from a basket (rotated weekly) then they'll have a few minutes to choose 2 books to check out and return to their table.
These are great ideas. Our computer teacher/librarian taught them typing skills and even helped them learn google slides to create a writing/picture assignment. I wonder if you could use google slides and such to have write about books they are reading with you? At least for the older groups 3rd-12th grade.
For every big unit I have taught I try to find a video that relays the same information in a way that relates to student interests. My favorite video, and probably the most engaging one I've used yet, was one for Earth day where the students went on a "Mission to save Planet Earth". In this mission the students "dodged" materials that were not recyclable and "jumped" over the ones that were. They also "dug" to plant new trees. At first this was just supposed to be a fun brain break for them but they ended up connecting to the information in a way they had yet to do over the course of the entire unit! This was my first real experience with connecting media and movement in the classroom and I saw engagement just soar with the scholars.
I like the way you were able to be flexible in your instruction. Starting as a brain break, but you saw how engaged the scholars became, and you made adjustments. Great work! A struggle for all teachers is to find a way to implement this kind of "hook" for everyday skills i.e. phonics, addition, subtraction, main idea, etc.
Years ago, I attended a day-long PD session on "Action Learning" and was fascinated on the science of movement as it relates to brain function. One of the things I remember most, was the concept of focusing across your body (looking at something to the left with your right eye, and vice versa). The exercise we did was juggling scarves, while looking straight ahead. This forced you to look across your median line when you caught the scarf to the left with your right hand, and caught the scarf to the right with your left hand. The science behind this act was so interesting. The instructor also had us do cup stacking, walking in patterns as we recited vocabulary words, and other activities. I used to use a strategy in the classroom called 4 corner, where I would tape up a letter in each corner (A,B,C,D), then ask multiple choice questions and have the students go to the corner they felt answered the question. Then, I would have them look around, make sure they were comfortable with their location, then have them defend their answer. It got them out of their seats and collaborating.
As far a media in the classroom, this is a no-brainer. There is published evidence out there that our brains are being re-wired by our reliance on social media, etc., and to depend on paper/pencil methods is so outdated. Scholars are so adept at using and manipulating media to make sense of the world around them. One important aspect we have to be able to convey is the ability to discern what is reliable and appropriate.
Using movement to enable scholars to become actively involved in their own learning is important. I think planning a good balance of activities leads to a positive learning environment. As always, spending time lesson planning is most essential. Teachers that get to know their scholars on multiple levels tend to get better results. Movement is a great way to incorporate learning and understanding.
I believe that movement is a big component to help students learn. We can't expect students to sit in a desk all day long. You wouldn't be expected to sit all day as a teacher. I try to incorporate movement with what I'm teaching. Whether it is a lesson on the Phases of the moon, having the students physically act out how the moon and sun contribute to how the phases are made. I also use stations during science labs as well. In my previous years, I have used four corners, jigsaw, gallery walk, and other methods to get my students up and moving around. I also like to bring in Go Noodle for brain breaks or have the students do some yoga to relax before switching to a different subject. As far as media in the classroom, this was a absolute must this past year because of teaching virtually. I loved using videos from YouTube, brainpop, flocabulary, and other sources. Those videos helped introduce what we were talking about, the students have a connection especially if a kid or student made the video, and reinforced what we had been talking about the day or week before. I didn't get a chance this year, but wanted to venture out and try to make my own videos. Jennifer Janusaitis- Thea Bowman Leadership Academy
I think stations are probably the easiest way to get simple movement in as well as higher level thinking. Thanks for reminding me about stations. As the crazy year we had, stations had left my brain. My scholars love Flocabulary. I even let them get up to dance and sing along. It really does help them remember everything.
We recently did a math room where we did measurement. The kids were up moving to each station, measuring and collaborating with their partner and other groups. They loved it. I have also in the past taught lines and angles with arm movements. It is nice to see them doing the movements with doing homework or other activities to help them remember each angle. I have had a special needs teacher teach me how to do multiplication facts with movement. I have yet to try this one. I might have to bring it back.
Multiplication facts always seem to be a struggle for my 3rd graders. I've never heard of movement for multiplication facts but it sounds like it would be fun and a great way to engage students and help them remember their facts!
Kindergarteners love to be up and moving. I would try and make as many activities have movement in them. When I thought Orton Gillingham, there were times that the students would have to sky write words or letters. They also had to stand up and sky write words. I would try and carry this over to other lessons. In Math, there were times the scholars would have numbers and had to put them in order. They would have to move around the room to find their group and complete a task. I feel that movement is very beneficial for scholars. I feel that media is also very important for scholars. There are things that can be taught through use of the media. Many of our students are exposed to it and we should find ways to carry it into the classroom. Also, if it is used in the right way students can benefit from it.
When I was in a teaching role, I would incorporate a range of fine motor to more gross motor movement tasks. Some examples: When reading through a word problem, scholars would show an addition or subtraction sign with their hand(s) to identify the operation they thought we needed to use to solve the problem; Throughout daily instruction, as scholars heard one of our weekly (or even one of our previous) vocabulary words, they would make a "V" with their fingers; I'd have scholars either stand or sit to represent their response to a question, their vote to a poll, etc. -- I would do the same by assigning responses to each of the four corners of the classroom and have them decide which one to move to. (I even called each corner of the classroom its actual cardinal direction - so as students selected their answer or response, they could indicate the direction they were moving ("I'm traveling to the northeast corner of the room because I think the character felt xyz")).
I'm glad the author clarified, "For the purpose of this book, media literacy is "the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and communicate messages in a variety of forms." " To answer the question, "What makes media so powerful?": I think it primarily has to do with one's ability to digest it, interpret it, analyze it, and apply it.
Movement is essential in my classroom. I certainly can NOT excpet my scholars to sit still if I can't! Teaching first grade my ittle darlings need to be moving quite often. I use the Orton-Gillingham program. This incorportates a lot of movement on its own. We also do many different types of activities that have my darlings up and moving around the room such as scoots, read the room, and I also allow them to use a carpet square and move anywhere, in the room to work. Of course this takes a lot of pre work on making good choices. As far as media, I love to use it as a "grabber". Our scholars live in a time of computers. They love to see videos. My favorite is Geraldine the Giraffe for phonics. Jenelle Miller PLA103
Mrs. Miller I agree there is no way we can expect, 6,7 year old students to sit still without movement. When we get back I would love for you and Mrs. Spy to share a little more about Orton-Gillingham program and how you incorporate it in your lesson. Thanks Luna
I teach technology and therefore my students are sitting in front of their computers. So I do not promote movement. However, I have one project where we play musical computer similar to musical chairs. The students would go from computer to computer writing a story and adding to another story as the music play and stop. Media is powerful because it is engaging. It is powerful because it is everywhere. It is powerful because it can used to teach our scholars.
Teaching kindergarten I use media not only as "Hook" but to help scholar make a connection to the subject. I also use Go Noodle in the morning to help encourage scholars behavior with a positive "Rainbow Breathing Technique".
Media is powerful because it helps to engage, introduce and reinforce what is being taught to scholars.
I think movement is very important in helping to get students to foster critical thinking. I like to involve movement by having students come to the board and do math problems. I like to have students act out vocabulary words, and dance to songs to help them learn a concept. Media literacy is a great way to get movement in the classroom! I find math or reading concepts with music helps scholars remember the objective much clearer. The more movement I can use in my classroom the more engaged the students become and the more willing they are to learn.
My favorite movement activity is: the beach ball! Low ceilings interfere but .. the gym, a courtyard, a hallway or even outside are great places to play. The goal is get as many hits as possible without the ball hitting the ground. It can be played in groups of any number. Scholars need to use their critical thinking skills to figure how to hit a beach ball because it does not respond the same way a volleyball, for example, responds. At first groups were only getting 4 or 5 hits. Once a new way of hitting and thinking were applied, the same group was getting 50-60 hits. They soon viewed this activity as fun yet they were getting all the benefits of movement. (.. and it only cost me $1!) Teachers can use media as an educational source. Scholars should understand that it can be used for more than just social activities. lmo jrpla
Movement is super essential and one of the most important ingredients for my first grade classroom. When the scholars are just sitting there quietly and still I can tell there are very few who are engaged and interested in what is going on. I may get ridiculous and silly with my movements, but I am always encouraging them to get up and get moving so we can turn on our brains and learn as much as we can. :)
I always begin our day with happy, flowing music that inspires them to get up and move. I gauge each scholar's temperature/energy level as they enter the room and move forward from there. We talk about how their evening and morning were and what we can do to make the best of our day. We stand up and do a good morning song while we wake our bodies/brains up for the day. We keep things on a super positive level at all times to encourage learning and growth. We do fun and educational learning throughout the day by using media with all of our subjects. The scholars retain more when we are doing interactive, student-centered, student initiated hands on learning.
What a wonderful way to get the day started and get the scholars "warmed" up. I know that when I can get myself to move in the mornings, that I feel much for energized, focused and ready to tackle the day.
Media is a powerful tool because it allows scholars to relate specifically to the lives they live and not what someone else is doing. It is the here and now for them. It's present and allows them to feel like they are an important piece of their daily learning.
Movement is so important for scholars' learning, especially in 1st grade when they are so little. Some ways I incorporate movement during the day are brain breaks, move pair and share, and gallery walks. I also like to connect what I'm teaching to a movement; for example when we learned about the plant life cycle we did full body motions that corresponding with each step.
As someone who grew up with Youtube, I always loved when my teachers used videos, like the one about bubonic plague, to connect with what we were learning in class. I still remember all the words to this one song from high school 6 years later. One thing my students loved this year was Fortnite Sight Words. They loved doing Fortnite dances and spelling the words with Fortnite characters. I also used BrainPop jr., raz-kids, edgenuity, math bots, kahoot, and online math games. We used QR codes for sharing links in class, which helped with getting the kids onto educational games or kahoots quickly.
As a kindergarten teacher, I am constantly using movement - all types of Brain Breaks (which also incorporated media), stretching and yoga, letter and sight word actions, activities such as Write-the-Room or Read-the-Room, finger plays and just good old singing with actions. I am a great believer in movement to help learning, retention and memory. Also keeps the energy level up if they're starting to seem sluggish - or the opposite, to help calm them down with soft music, swaying motions and yoga.
I, too, use media as the "hook" for a new theme or concept, as others have said. Also, brain breaks. It's a huge part of children's lives now and if implemented correctly can be a positive source of connection and communication with students
Movement is an essential part of my lesson plans, I use them for hooks, to learn basics as alphabet and numbers, I have used them in all the grades I have taught. Also, I always try to have a Kinesthetic learning station (playdough, shapes, standing up, etc) Young students benefit with moving from the desks to carpet, or just standing up and sitting down. It keeps them engaged and allows for an increased retention of the learning objective. This last year media has been critical in being able to teach online, and help students learn how to manage IPADS and different methods of learning, Raz-Kids, helps scholars read at their level, and different media games allow for engagement and problem solving. I never thought I would have to teach online a class of K students who have never been in school, one of my scholars shared with me on the second week of school 2020, Mrs. Luna "I love school", I ask what do you mean, this online stuff, and she smiled and nodded and said, "Yes", after that moment I realized I was still able to teach, it just was a different way. I just chuckled and said wait to you come to our classroom. This is for me the power of media in education.
Brittany Connett PLA@93 I try incorporate movement into nearly every lesson in my classroom. We create movements for our sight words and vocabulary words each week. Not only does this serve as a mnemonic device, but it also keeps the students engaged. Several of our centers involve movement such as write the room or fine motor skills. Movement is so important for the Kinder and first grade friends! We are surrounded by media all the time. I use songs and videos in my lessons each day. We also discuss articles, where they come from, and I focus on if the information is credible. Even in Kindergarten and first grade it is important to point out that not everything they read, here, or see (especially online) is factual.
We would never expect adults to sit for 6-7 hours a day so we certainly cannot expect it of children. I've used a variety of movement strategies over the years including gallery walks, four corners, and brain breaks spread our throughout our day. These types of activities seem to re-energize the scholars and prepare them for continued learning. Media is a part of everyday life now. Kids seem to spend hours on Youtube, TikTok and other video apps. Being able to take something kids really like and use it to teach makes it powerful in itself. It engages scholars and also hits multiple learning styles. I've used it ass a "hook" to interest students in new concepts, to teach specific topics and I've allowed scholars to create their own media. As a wrap up to a weather unit students created their own Weather Forecast videos and loved sharing them with the other kids.
Hi Tammy! I completely agree that scholars spend hours on social media. I teach kindergarten and have scholars beg to watch YouTube during recess or during free choice. I love being able to take what they are interested in and being able to use it in our lessons (they love Blippi!). I like the idea of having scholars produce their own media! Jacqulyn Ison PLA@103
I completely agree with you that we would never expect adults to sit for that long during the day! I think we need to always keep that in mind and give multiple brain breaks throughout the day! Heather Hill PLA @93
I completely agree that using media that students use in their daily lives, in our instruction, can be very powerful. I also agree we would never ask adults to sit for that long!
I try to incorporate movement activities into nearly every lesson in my grade level small groups. We Not only do this as a creative opportunity, but it also keeps the students engaged. Movement is so important for young adults to surrounded them by media all the time. I use songs, dance and videos in my lessons each day. We also discuss articles, where they come from, and I focus on if the information is credible. It is important to point out that not everything they read, here, or see (especially online) is factual. I use movement, collaboration, and media literacy.
I use several strategies to encourage movement within my classroom. I use music and gonoodle to help to get our wiggles out and as a quick clean up or transition. With kindergarten, I have noticed that most of my scholars benefit from moving and using their bodies to explore and learn rather than just listening to me talk or completing worksheets. Often times, I use songs or videos as a hook for my lessons (we listen to songs, exercise while counting, and often play games). The centers in my classroom are hands on and forces them to move, build, or rearrange manipulatives to help solve a problem.
Media has become a very powerful tool that is used in the classroom and can be used to help make the content more relatable to scholars. I was very impressed watching my scholars navigate and work on their ipads during the times that we had to stay home. Scholars were able to read digital books (raz kids) and play educational games that may not have felt like learning. I think that teaching scholars about media literacy is so crucial for them to promote themselves as life long learners. They will be able to use different forms of media to gather information and to compare and form opinions. I do believe that scholars should be aware that not everything they read or hear is always factual.
I incorporate music/song/movement as often as possible. I 7understand that moving and interacting can greatly increase learning. I also offer flexible seating choices for students so they can be comfortable as they work. I think that given students some control in decisions and to make choices empowers them.
Prior to COVID, I liked giving students freedom of choice in their sitting, whether it was on the floor, against the wall, close to my desk, with a pillow, etc. Most would pick the same spot anyway, since humans are creatures of habit, but they liked to mix things up every so often.
As for music, I like to play lofi or study beats during work time to help students focus on their work. If they have headphones, are done with instruction for the day, and can focus while listening to music (stay on task), then they can choose their own as well.
I feel that media is extremely powerful, especially with our youth of today. However, I feel it can be a good or bad influence depending on content. We should always be mindful of what our students are being influenced by, especially media.
The movement in my classroom is minimal, that being said I do use go noodle, and have stations with questions about math skills and reading skills. I use this mostly once every day. I would like to know more about the movement strategies in the table 3.2. I do use alot of collaboration strategies. We make story maps on the board, using sticky notes from Ciera Harris comprehension for a whole group lesson, then they work with partners same concept and then alone. We do partner and reporting back to class work on mostly math problem solving, one group always solves if differently than most, which I find fantastic. I have used media alot this past year, due to covid. We listen to stories, do interactive vocabulary lessons, go noodle lessons, slide shows on all subjects. The media we use in the classroom engages the young learning because it is what they have grown up with, it gets their attention and they are more willing to listen and engage with the media whatever it may be. We have done more on the computer this year than ever before. Using web sites to test, practice skills student love it, when they love it they learn more even if they think it is a game....
When I was in the classroom I used movement frequently with my scholars, because it was something that the students needed in order to stay engaged. I would use movement through implementing four corners with my scholars, having true/ false on two different sides of the room and have scholars move to their choice, and allowing scholars to determine where they wanted to sit in the classroom when completing their work.
Incorporating media in the classroom is especially important with scholars now days, because their worlds virtually revolve around it. Yes, media can be used as a means for grabbing the scholars attention, however media can be used in a way that brings learning to life for the scholars and engage them in variety of ways that help them to develop a deeper understanding.
I completely agree with you with incorporating media in the classroom. Students today use media everyday and it is important to use media to relate and content with the scholars that our in your classroom. I also agree it can really bring the learning to life!
I love using movement in my classroom! With first graders, they need movement throughout the day to stay engaged and help make their learning fun and meaningful. I use Go Noodle, Jack Hartmann, Flocabulary, and other songs and dances to help reinforce our learning skills. I incorporated a lot of media this year due to the circumstances, but continued in person because the scholars loved it so much. They loved that stories were brought to life with Storyline Online or Kidtime Storytime. I used virtual field trips and other ways to build background knowledge. Media is a wonderful part of learning! Heather Hill PLA @93
Angela Posey PLA@103 Chapter 3 I have always bought into getting students to move around the classroom. Incorportating activities that get students out of their seats can really help to awaken their thinking. One strategy that I used is Four Corner Discussion- I might make a statement about a character in the text. I divide the room into four different corners: Strongly Disagree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Agree. I have students to stand still for a few moments so they can think about their postion and then they have to move to the corner of the room where they can discuss their position with peers who have the same thinking. Musical Discussions- I use this activity to learn vocabulary words or to have discusssions about a story. As I play music, the studens walk around the classroom. Once the music stops, they find the closest person to them. They discuss a vocabulary word we have worked on in class or students can discuss elements of a story or discusss what the author's message. I think having using media in the classroom has helped students to make connections more about concepts. I use utube lessons to reinforce a skill. Media definitely deepens a student's understanding.
I like to use brain gym because these "exercises" are meant to wake up the scholars brain, which help them concentrate, focus and listen better. I also like to move scholars into different groups so that they have to get up, move to a new seat or area of the classroom. This movement seems to give them the idea that there's been a transition and that in turn helps them refocus on a new activity or topic. I use several different media web sites to help reinforce the skill being taught. I like using wheel of names because I can use it for any topic. Flocabulary, GoNoodle, and blookit and three of my favorites.
Movement is critical in fostering life long learning in the classroom. I have taught kindergarten for the last three years and has a early childhood educator it was important to me to establish movement in our day to day learning in my classroom. In my phonics lessons we are kinesthetic learners. Using movement to help us retain the sounds that each letter makes and using sand and grids to feel the letter formation for each letter. Everyday students collaborated in center work in our reading block and math centers. I was able to see students retain new information and be engaged when adding movement and collaboration into our daily routine.
I believe that Media literacy is important in the classroom. I think it helps students connect and relate to the lesson. I used in my classroom as a attention grabber/hook that can get the students thinking. It also helps ENL students as they can listen and see the media to help better understand the lesson as well.
To promote movement in the classroom, I use strategies such as 4 Corners and Gallery Walks. I incorporate media into gallery walks by using QR Codes as opposed to posting texts or pictures in the room. The students love using their phones so I incorporate phone usage in class as much as possible without deviating to far from written responses and pencil/paper thinking.
One way I promote movement is a lot of group/stations. I usually allow my scholars to sit on the floor under their desks, etc. I want them to be comfortable while they are working. If they cannot responsibly do so, then we go back to our desks. I also like to use out of the classroom space to learn when at all possible.
Media is great, but it can also be a hindrance. Scholars who use media will do their work and then spend time on educational sites. However, I don't want my scholars on their computers all day. It's not good for them to be on their devices all of the time.
I promote movement in my classroom with the use of centers/stations, using our bodies to make and form letters and numbers, attaching a movement with an associated vocabulary word to cement its meaning. We use a lot of songs to help reinforce learning with phonics and sight words, and even math. We also take a lot of brain breaks/wiggle breaks, my scholars are kindergarteners and need all the movement possible. This past year I have used a lot of media in my classroom. I like to use it to grab student's attention in the launch of a lesson, we have also used it to take many virtual field trips this year. Students absolutely loved it!
Movement is critical to student learning, from yoga time to regulate our bodies, movements connected to learning such as using our whole body to stretch out words, to smaller opportunities such as assigning a student that needs a break to deliver something important to the office or moving from rug to the other. Movement can be a huge part of classroom management and learning.
I believe that media is powerful because it connects to students on their level. Scholars are often overstimulated in today's world and media is something they are familiar with. Using this familiar tool for instruction mirrors what they do for fun. Also, media is something that it is imperative that scholars know how to not only operate and utilize, but also analyze and be critical of. Using media in the classroom is a great way to expose scholars to the correct and educational uses of this highly prevalent part of their future and current lives.
Chapter 3 - Too often using media is a passive delivery method, however cranking up the kinesthetic elements AND ramping up the rigor of the activities magnifies the instructional outcome. As our students are of the tech media age we must use these resources to engage and connect with scholars.
As always, intentionally planning and explicitly teaching the "how and the why" of the activities will allow students to gain a greater understanding of their own learning in the process. Additionally, helping students to learn how to analyze media is a truly important skill.
I totally agree that the point of having scholars analyzing media to being very important skills. The statement that media being passively used is correct, used that way too many times, so having the skill to analyze media is an added benefit. Thanks so much for this comment!
Movement is essential in my classroom. It not only warms the body muscles, but it gets the brain warmed up too. I like to constantly keep moving myself within the classroom. I love to incorporate games that encourage the scholars to think, speak and move like Round Robin and Brain Quest. I often like the scholars to move throughout the room as we analyze or summarize a lesson. Media is a wonderful opportunity to open up the walls of your classroom. I love the opportunity to introduce/conclude a lesson or concept with a virtual program. There are so many opportunities to enrich educational experiences by bringing media into the classroom.
Movement has been critical to many lessons within the library, something I have embraced for all grade levels. ie Having kindergarten starting out on a rug for a story, moving to tables for activities and then moving around library to find books. The movement has enabled scholars to remain alert, paying attention to details and direction. Integrating movement into the lesson plans has added value to the scholars experience too, ensuring they learn how to use the library and executing lessons that have been presented.
I have found the power of media to have an impact on scholars, so it has been intergrated into some of the presentations in library. ie Scholars watch a story, rather than doing a read aloud from a book, as the media engages scholars in hearing/watching characters within the story. Scholars remain alert to the lesson, so media has proven a worthy addition to some lessons. Further, discussing what has been presented has been very important, especially for older scholars to have the ability to understand/discuss what has been presented and why.
I try to inject movement in my classroom as much as possible. Since scholars can sit still/focus for approximately their age (6-7 minutes at most for first graders), I’ve always tried to get them moving at least that often. Whether it’s transitioning between subjects/areas of the classroom, while class brain breaks with goNoodle, switch it change its on the carpet to face a different direction, and implementing hand gestures/movements to reinforce new vocabulary words or concepts. I’m excited to teach older scholars that can help create movements/chants for remembering concepts.
Media literacy builds relationships! What better way to connect to your scholars than by understanding and including the influence social media and the internet have on their lives. I want to incorporate their love for captioned social media (like Instagram) and online reviews (Yelp, google reviews, etc) into a book recommendation wall. Essentially scholars read books throughout the year and create book reviews in the form of captions. They could be displayed through an Instagram format. Just this little extra effort can get scholars excited to do more book reports. That is just one example of many things you can do to incorporate media into your classroom.
Some instructional strategies I use to promote student movement are gallery walks, four corners, and stand up/sit down. I have used gallery walks to introduce a unit, four corners for an icebreaker, and stand up/sit down for quick need to know answers. Since I have changed subjects, rooms, and curriculum multiple times in the past eight years, it has been harder to inject movement in a class that is now all on a computer (Digital Media.)
Constant evolution of what constitutes as media is what makes it so powerful. The definition has changed since I was in high school, college, and since I started teaching. In my class I try to show scholars different forms of media and how they can apply them to their life, whether it is in high school, college, or beyond.
Amanda Rouse PLA@103
ReplyDeleteI like to keep scholars moving throughout the day. Whether it's shifting where we've chosen to sit in the room from time-to-time, moving/dancing with words or number facts, moving through the room to collaborate and share, or a wide variety of other ways to keep scholars moving (scheduled brain breaks, spontaneous brain breaks, a quick stand and stretch/deep breaths, etc) moving is vitally important to keeping scholars engaged with their learning as well as creating a solid connection between mind and body.
As far as the power of media, I feel it's a powerful tool because scholars can relate and connect to it. It's a good attention grabber, but it's also a way for a scholar to perhaps better be able to "see" and understand.
I love that you allow the students to Move/dance! Fun movement helps build those connections and burn some of that energy off!
DeleteJanine Shafer PLA@103
I completely agree with you. There needs to be constant movement in the classroom. They need that movement to keep focused.
DeleteKaren Prince PLA 93
I too agree scholars need movement in the classroom, it allow them to have fun and enjoy learning
DeleteOne of the instructional strategies I use to promote student movement include using physical mnemonics (memory strategies). An example is telling the students to copy what I do and say when we are memorizing the types of line…
ReplyDeleteSay “H”. Say “Horizontal”. Remember & draw in the air the capital letter “H”. Put your arms out like the middle line in the capital letter “H”. Roll your back and forth on the middle line of the capital letter “H”... your head is like the sun on the horizon line. See the horizon line in my picture? Draw a horizon line in your picture. Say “H”. Say “Horizontal”. Say “H”. Say “Horizon line”.
Say “V”. Say “Vertical”. Remember & draw in the air the capital letter “V”. Put your arms up like the letter “V”. Say Voorm… like a rocket going straight up into the sky.. See the vertical line in my picture? Draw a vertical line in your picture. Say “V”. Say “Vertical”. Say “V”. Put your arms up like the letter “V”. Say “Vertical line”.
Say “d”. Say “Diagonal”. Remember & draw in the air the lowercase letter “d”. Put your arms up like a tilted letter “d”... on a diagonal... like it is “d”iving into the water. Say “d”iving. See the diagonal line in my picture? Draw a vertical line in your picture. Say “d”. Say “Diagonal”. Say “d”. Put your arms up like a tilted letter “d”... on a diagonal... like it is “d”iving into the water. Say “d”iving. Say “Diagonal”.
I also allow scholars to get up and move around to different locations in the room where they can focus their best attention to the task at hand… sometimes this means they want to be alone and sometimes it means they want to work with others,
I agree with and practice bringing media into the learning environment, not just to grab students’ attention, but also connect with them… because what makes media so powerful is it connects outside resources that they connect to… community members, famous heroes, and what social media or entertainment they use or are exposed to every day. It allows students to see people, just like them reading, creating, explaining how they think at higher levels, how they keep trying and challenging themselves to be successful in what they do, and share their successes and failures to show that is how they learn and grow.
Janine Shafer PLA@103
Those mnemonic devices are so helpful and important, adding in the movement is great. Saying, repeating, using our bodies, seeing the example, all of those things together mean extra learning that will stick with us for sure!
DeleteI love the mnemonics strategy! What great repetition for scholars and a creative way to add in movement!
DeleteI agree so much that movement is so essential to our scholars.
DeleteJenelle Miller PLA103
Movement is so important while teaching and learning. Movement definitely promotes engagement with scholars. Musical discussion is a great strategy to promote movement. This activity can be used as a community builder or as a way for students to further discuss a topic or concept from your classroom. As you play music, the students walk around the classroom. Once the music stops, they find the closest person to them. Ask a question that they discuss with their partner. This could be get-to-know-you questions like what their favorite TV show is or a content-related question for them to explore together.
ReplyDeleteTo increase the rigor of the assignment, you can ask the question before starting the music to give students more thinking time and to alleviate any anxiety that students may feel about talking to others.
This is a fun activity to get students moving and socializing with students in the class that they otherwise may not interact with much. It also takes out the awkward panicked feeling of a student needing to find a partner for an assignment.
Media is a very powerful tool to use in the classroom, if done effectively. Media (audio and visual), can engage scholars with current events and real life experiences that they can relate to. Media can be used to bridge the gap between content taught in the classroom to content that interest them. This would make the content in class more relatable and therefore easier for them to retain.
I love it! What a fun way to mix up how you pick partners. I'll have to give it a try next year.
DeleteI believe communicate between the students while learning fun actives together is very important. They learn a great deal from each other.
DeleteTeresa Jones, 1st grade at TLJA in Fort Wayne
ReplyDeleteOur school uses the Spalding Phonogram method. In this method each phonogram has a hand gesture. We first teach the gesture connected with the phonogram and then when we teach blending they use the gestures to sound out the word. The method really helps the children recall the sound. It is fun to see them reading on their own. Whenever they get stuck on a work, they will start making the hand gesture until they've sounded out the word. I am an advocate of multisensory teaching.
This past year I received funding for BrainPOPJr through Donor's Choose. The scholars loved it! The characters Annie and Moby became honorary members of our class. My students couldn't wait to find out what Annie and Moby would teach them each day. It was a fun way to introduce a topic and start thinking. First graders still have a strong sense of imagination. Media helps to bring out that curiosity.
I really like Brain Pop & Brain Pop Jr. as well. Students find the videos both entertaining and informative which definitely enhances the learning process. You should also look at Go Noodle which is free.
DeleteFrederick Pittman
H.I.A.T.
Our scholars spend seven or more hours in school a day. In my opinion it is unreasonable to expect them to sit quietly throughout their lessons and classwork. Movement throughout the day helps students to re-energize their bodies and their brains, helping them to focus and concentrate better.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite ways to incorporate movement in a lesson is to add a gesture or motion to vocabulary words or important concepts. For example, for the word “weathering,” the motion would be one hand making a chopping motion, representing wind or water chipping away at a rock. For “erosion,” the motion would be one hand moving like a wave, representing the movement of sediments from one place to another. Each time the students say the word, they do the gesture/motion. Having the connection between the word and the accompanying gesture helps students internalize the vocabulary.
Jartu K. Selli
PLA-Davis
Sarah Williams-Chapel Hill Academy
DeleteAdding gestures is a great idea! This is something that I need to consider doing more!
I utilize several strategies to promote in my classroom. The most obvious way to use movement is through transitions to groups or stations during reading and math blocks. I am a firm believer in brain breaks so during that time I like to put on a Go Noodle video from which there are many to choose from. Some introduce students to chanting and clapping movements, while others include physical activities including running, jumping, skipping, and dodging. They also have educational videos that teach skills such as phonics, math, grammar, social studies, and science skills. They also have videos that teach scholars different dances such as the chicken dance, hokey pokey, macarena, and the electric slide. These movements not only provide movement and fun, but learning as well.
ReplyDeleteMedia is another valuable tool to utilize in the classroom to enhance learning and make things more relatable to students by incorporating real-world experiences that can make the skills and concepts more meaningful to the scholars. Research has show that if students find topics relatable to them personally they will work harder to accomplish the tasks at hand. The great thing about media today is that it is current and up to the minute as well as being readily available not only to the teachers, but the scholars as well.
Frederick Pittman
4th/5th grade math & science teacher
H.I.A.T.
Megan Denton, PLA @ 48, Media Specialist
DeleteGoNoodle is also my go-to for brain breaks and transitions in the Media Center. My scholars were particularly fond of the MooseTube videos this school year.
I teach kindergarten and my scholars love Go Noodle. We use it in the mornings to help us start our day with a "Rainbow Breathing Technique". I also use it for Brainbreaks and indoor recess.
DeleteI also use media as my "hook" to grab there attention and help them connect to the topic.
In my opinion, the most important thing in this chapter is recognizing that we cannot jump to the Evaluate and Create stages of learning. Scholars must have a solid base of Remember, Understand, Apply.
ReplyDeleteAnother very important part of getting scholars to the Create and Analyze levels of learning is training teachers on how to make the shifts. We cannot assume all teachers can effectively teach at the Evaluate and Create levels of learning. This might mean taking a standard that would normally be taught in one lesson at the Remember/Understand stage and spreading it out over 3-4 lessons to get scholars to the Evaluate/Create stage. This will take more time and will require teachers to get creative with their time in the classroom.
Finally, the section where they talked about scholar movement gets more oxygen to the brain and increases scholar retention is by no means ground breaking, but it should be noted that some schools are taking away recess and PE classes. It is up to us, as administrators to make sure our teachers are working in movement times before lessons. Could be PE class, could be recess, could be a few simple stretches before a lesson, anything to get that oxygen to the brain.
Alec Mayer, Assistant Principal, PLA93, Indianapolis, IN
During my years in the classroom I was always looking for ways to add movement to our learning. Having been a student athlete, even through college, I found it difficult to just sit and listen and this prompted me to find ways to allow my scholars to move. Some of the things I have used in the past have been brain breaks so that they are ready to absorb new information after dancing/yoga/stretching/exercising etc. Also, I have had skip counting parades where the scholars will march to different beats while skip counting or create hand/body movements to pair with academic vocabulary and the definition.
ReplyDeleteBringing Media into the learning environment is a way to connect with scholars and their interests. Media allows you to bring current and up to date information into the classroom so that you can utilize high interest topics with your scholars.
Brooke Berk, Chapel Hill Academy, Fort Worth, TX
These intentional bursts of movement, prior to introducing a new concept can be very effective. It gets the blood/oxygen flowing, and gives the scholars another reference point for memory.
DeleteAmy Jo Miller, Assistant Principal, Chapel Hill Academy
ReplyDeleteI've used many instructional strategies that include movement. A couple of my favorite are Four Corners, Think-Pair-Share, and Evaluate an Author's Reasoning.
Using Media is a powerful teaching tool because it is current, trendy, and it allows your to grab the attention of the audience with high interest topics. Our students live in a media rich world and educators can become a part of their world by embracing it.
Sarah Williams-Chapel Hill Academy
ReplyDeleteI have used movement with the 4 Corners Activity (posing a question and having the students choose a corner for their response, then having to explain it) and I also use partner activities where students have to get up and choose a partner that is not next to them to have a discussion somewhere in the classroom...kind of like Think-Pair-Share.
Using media is powerful because for these students, it is such a big part of their culture. They are on media constantly, so that is how they learn best. They are much more engaged to media than they are to a lecture.
one way strategy I use to include movement, is by incorporating physical movement while learning/ teaching content. For scholars in lower grades who are still learning the alphabet and how to count, I may use rhythmic movement and clapping while practicing the alphabet or while counting.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes media powerful is that it can be used to meet multiple learning styles and styles of learning. It also allows scholars a voice other than the teacher's. Although it does not replace the teacher, it can be used to personalize learning to meet the individual need of the scholar.
Teairai Jones- Hope PLA, D.C
Hi Teairai,
DeleteI'm glad you noted that media is powerful because of reaching multiple learning styles. I agree that this is a crucial benefit!
This has been a most difficult year in the classroom for movement because of the COVID protocol. Scholars like to collaborative aspect of moving from one place to another as in stations even if it’s a virtual group.
ReplyDeleteI use stations as part of my math and reading curriculum. As a form of movement, students navigate different learning places within the physical classroom or the Google Classroom. Some of the activities included Think Pair Share. First, scholars are giving a question that they have to answer on their own. Next, they pair themselves with another student or group members and come to a consensus about their answer. Finally, they share their answer with me. I always require each group to have a leader (one who leads the discussion), a scribe (one who records their answers), and a spokes person (one who relates the group’s final answer in their discussion with me).
I also use media in my teaching from a historical perspective as well as an opportunity to engage scholars where they are in hopes of moving them to the next level of learning. I recognize that sometimes scholars don't always get what I'm trying to teach. Bringing media into the classroom gives them another voice and perhaps a better understanding of a concept, problem, or situation.
Dr. Deborah Godwin-Starks
TLJA, 5th Grade Teacher
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Mindi Spychalski PLA@103
DeleteI love using stations as a way for the scholars to learn and move around the room while interacting with other scholars. It allows them to learn from each other as well as seeing others point of view on open ended stations.
On way I have included movement is in a lesson on division. Each step of the long division has its on dance movement and we sing the steps as a chant. For example: First divide we do a slash through the air. Scholars use media all the time in their lives. It is a powerful tool because we can connect their interests to the content using media. Also, by using media, we can bring in multiple points of view on a topic so students can learn from different perspectives.
ReplyDeleteKaylee Briggs- PLA@103
I think including movement in a lesson to learn division is great. Students are able to really engage in learning this math concept or any subject matter when it is paired with something they are interested in. This includes and not limited to movement, songs and media.
Delete
ReplyDeleteAbbigail Brantch, Music Education at JRPLA
There are a couple of plans I have to try to engage movement into my class this next year that I did not really get to do much this past year because of the virtual learning situation. One is the "Breathing Gym". Proper breathing technique and breath support is vital to both playing instruments and singing, but it can even help with relaxation and athletic performance. Some of the movements related to learning to properly breath are small, but will require scholars to truly focus on their bodies. Others can be have larger movements to help get scholars into the mind frame of what the breathe should be doing (examples are breathing like you are trying to shoot darts or breathing like you are floating a paper airplane and doing motions to help reinforce those ideas). Another thing I want to work on this year is actually having the scholars learn how to conduct at the front of a group. I am hoping that the movement required to conduct will reinforce the concept of a strong and steady beat to the scholars, as well as give them experience in leading a small group.
In my classroom, media is powerful because it allows for authentic performance to be brought into the classroom. This last year in particular, we focused a lot on different cultures and heritage/history months throughout the school year. I am, obviously, not an expert in all forms of music, so by using different forms of media, I am able to bring in experts or examples to show the scholars the authentic forms of these cultural performances. A prime example was when discussing the music of Indigenous peoples of the United States. I was able to find a couple of Tik Tok performers, one Cree and one Inuit, that literally dedicate their platform to educating people on their culture. So, I was able to show authentic performances and allow the people that truly understood the significance of the different musical traditions explain it in their own words, which also allowed the scholars to see the passion these young people had for their cultural traditions. This is much more than I could have ever done and said if I was just trying to explain it all myself.
Megan Denton, PLA @ 48, Media Specialist
ReplyDeleteI am able to incorporate movement into Media during our transition times. Typically, I use GoNoodle, so scholars can have a short break between our activities. Scholars enjoy picking which video we are going to do. There are also times when I can tell that a majority of the scholars would benefit from some deep breathing to get refocused, and GoNoodle has wonderful guided breathing lessons as well.
A large part of our time together in Media is spent on an interactive read aloud. I use a variety of media to enhance our read alouds. For example, this past school year, we did a unit on graphic novels. My littles (K-2) read several books from the Narwhal and Jelly series by Ben Clanton. To help engage the scholars, we viewed nonfiction videos about the different animals in the books that we read. Scholars learned the "Narwhal & Jelly" song by Emily Arrow, which has movements to the song. We also became narwhals during the song by wearing sparkly party hats. Through the end of the year, the scholars were still requesting the "Narwhal & Jelly" song to be done at the end of class, even though we finished our Narwhal & Jelly series at the beginning of April. Integrating different types of media in lessons engages scholars, connects to their interests, and keeps the material relevant.
Mindi Spychalski PLA@103
ReplyDeleteOne way that I bring movement into my room is with Orton-Gillingham for phonics. OG is a program that incorporates kinesthetics and sensory while learning phonics. Some of the movement activities are tapping out red words/sight words along with sight word aerobics. We use sand when spelling our letter sounds which allows for movement and texture.
I also use brain break for movement. I try to connect my brain break with the concepts we are learning at the time. So when we are learning letter sounds or sight words the brain break are geared toward those concepts. If we're learning patterns the brain break usually has patterns to connect the concept.
During stations the scholars usually have an activity that allows them to move. Some activities include scoots, write the room or scavenger hunts. The scholars are moving around the room as thy are doing stations and interacting with other scholars. Movement is a must in my classroom.
As a first year Librarian I was unable to do many movement activities due to Covid 19. Next year the plan is to do a group read for 15 minutes with Scholars sitting on chairs in a semi-circle. Media topics also will be covered such as genres, choosing a book, reading the pictures, and other library information scholars should learn. Then they will move to their table where they may choose/read books from a basket (rotated weekly) then they'll have a few minutes to choose 2 books to check out and return to their table.
ReplyDeleteThese are great ideas. Our computer teacher/librarian taught them typing skills and even helped them learn google slides to create a writing/picture assignment. I wonder if you could use google slides and such to have write about books they are reading with you? At least for the older groups 3rd-12th grade.
DeleteFor every big unit I have taught I try to find a video that relays the same information in a way that relates to student interests. My favorite video, and probably the most engaging one I've used yet, was one for Earth day where the students went on a "Mission to save Planet Earth". In this mission the students "dodged" materials that were not recyclable and "jumped" over the ones that were. They also "dug" to plant new trees. At first this was just supposed to be a fun brain break for them but they ended up connecting to the information in a way they had yet to do over the course of the entire unit! This was my first real experience with connecting media and movement in the classroom and I saw engagement just soar with the scholars.
ReplyDelete-Taylor Pritchard PLA 103
I like the way you were able to be flexible in your instruction. Starting as a brain break, but you saw how engaged the scholars became, and you made adjustments. Great work!
DeleteA struggle for all teachers is to find a way to implement this kind of "hook" for everyday skills i.e. phonics, addition, subtraction, main idea, etc.
Years ago, I attended a day-long PD session on "Action Learning" and was fascinated on the science of movement as it relates to brain function. One of the things I remember most, was the concept of focusing across your body (looking at something to the left with your right eye, and vice versa). The exercise we did was juggling scarves, while looking straight ahead. This forced you to look across your median line when you caught the scarf to the left with your right hand, and caught the scarf to the right with your left hand. The science behind this act was so interesting. The instructor also had us do cup stacking, walking in patterns as we recited vocabulary words, and other activities. I used to use a strategy in the classroom called 4 corner, where I would tape up a letter in each corner (A,B,C,D), then ask multiple choice questions and have the students go to the corner they felt answered the question. Then, I would have them look around, make sure they were comfortable with their location, then have them defend their answer. It got them out of their seats and collaborating.
ReplyDeleteAs far a media in the classroom, this is a no-brainer. There is published evidence out there that our brains are being re-wired by our reliance on social media, etc., and to depend on paper/pencil methods is so outdated. Scholars are so adept at using and manipulating media to make sense of the world around them. One important aspect we have to be able to convey is the ability to discern what is reliable and appropriate.
Using movement to enable scholars to become actively involved in their own learning is important. I think planning a good balance of activities leads to a positive learning environment. As always, spending time lesson planning is most essential. Teachers that get to know their scholars on multiple levels tend to get better results. Movement is a great way to incorporate learning and understanding.
ReplyDeleteI believe that movement is a big component to help students learn. We can't expect students to sit in a desk all day long. You wouldn't be expected to sit all day as a teacher. I try to incorporate movement with what I'm teaching. Whether it is a lesson on the Phases of the moon, having the students physically act out how the moon and sun contribute to how the phases are made. I also use stations during science labs as well. In my previous years, I have used four corners, jigsaw, gallery walk, and other methods to get my students up and moving around. I also like to bring in Go Noodle for brain breaks or have the students do some yoga to relax before switching to a different subject.
ReplyDeleteAs far as media in the classroom, this was a absolute must this past year because of teaching virtually. I loved using videos from YouTube, brainpop, flocabulary, and other sources. Those videos helped introduce what we were talking about, the students have a connection especially if a kid or student made the video, and reinforced what we had been talking about the day or week before. I didn't get a chance this year, but wanted to venture out and try to make my own videos.
Jennifer Janusaitis- Thea Bowman Leadership Academy
I think stations are probably the easiest way to get simple movement in as well as higher level thinking. Thanks for reminding me about stations. As the crazy year we had, stations had left my brain. My scholars love Flocabulary. I even let them get up to dance and sing along. It really does help them remember everything.
DeleteWe recently did a math room where we did measurement. The kids were up moving to each station, measuring and collaborating with their partner and other groups. They loved it. I have also in the past taught lines and angles with arm movements. It is nice to see them doing the movements with doing homework or other activities to help them remember each angle.
ReplyDeleteI have had a special needs teacher teach me how to do multiplication facts with movement. I have yet to try this one. I might have to bring it back.
Multiplication facts always seem to be a struggle for my 3rd graders. I've never heard of movement for multiplication facts but it sounds like it would be fun and a great way to engage students and help them remember their facts!
DeleteKindergarteners love to be up and moving. I would try and make as many activities have movement in them. When I thought Orton Gillingham, there were times that the students would have to sky write words or letters. They also had to stand up and sky write words. I would try and carry this over to other lessons. In Math, there were times the scholars would have numbers and had to put them in order. They would have to move around the room to find their group and complete a task. I feel that movement is very beneficial for scholars.
ReplyDeleteI feel that media is also very important for scholars. There are things that can be taught through use of the media. Many of our students are exposed to it and we should find ways to carry it into the classroom. Also, if it is used in the right way students can benefit from it.
Karen Prince PLA93 3rd grade
When I was in a teaching role, I would incorporate a range of fine motor to more gross motor movement tasks. Some examples: When reading through a word problem, scholars would show an addition or subtraction sign with their hand(s) to identify the operation they thought we needed to use to solve the problem; Throughout daily instruction, as scholars heard one of our weekly (or even one of our previous) vocabulary words, they would make a "V" with their fingers; I'd have scholars either stand or sit to represent their response to a question, their vote to a poll, etc. -- I would do the same by assigning responses to each of the four corners of the classroom and have them decide which one to move to. (I even called each corner of the classroom its actual cardinal direction - so as students selected their answer or response, they could indicate the direction they were moving ("I'm traveling to the northeast corner of the room because I think the character felt xyz")).
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the author clarified, "For the purpose of this book, media literacy is "the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and communicate messages in a variety of forms." " To answer the question, "What makes media so powerful?": I think it primarily has to do with one's ability to digest it, interpret it, analyze it, and apply it.
Movement is essential in my classroom. I certainly can NOT excpet my scholars to sit still if I can't! Teaching first grade my ittle darlings need to be moving quite often.
ReplyDeleteI use the Orton-Gillingham program. This incorportates a lot of movement on its own. We also do many different types of activities that have my darlings up and moving around the room such as scoots, read the room, and I also allow them to use a carpet square and move anywhere, in the room to work. Of course this takes a lot of pre work on making good choices.
As far as media, I love to use it as a "grabber". Our scholars live in a time of computers. They love to see videos. My favorite is Geraldine the Giraffe for phonics.
Jenelle Miller
PLA103
Mrs. Miller I agree there is no way we can expect, 6,7 year old students to sit still without movement. When we get back I would love for you and Mrs. Spy to share a little more about Orton-Gillingham program and how you incorporate it in your lesson.
DeleteThanks Luna
I teach technology and therefore my students are sitting in front of their computers. So I do not promote movement. However, I have one project where we play musical computer similar to musical chairs. The students would go from computer to computer writing a story and adding to another story as the music play and stop.
ReplyDeleteMedia is powerful because it is engaging. It is powerful because it is everywhere. It is powerful because it can used to teach our scholars.
Teaching kindergarten I use media not only as "Hook" but to help scholar make a connection to the subject. I also use Go Noodle in the morning to help encourage scholars behavior with a positive "Rainbow Breathing Technique".
ReplyDeleteMedia is powerful because it helps to engage, introduce and reinforce what is being taught to scholars.
Amylynn Faulstich PLA 48
ReplyDeleteI think movement is very important in helping to get students to foster critical thinking. I like to involve movement by having students come to the board and do math problems. I like to have students act out vocabulary words, and dance to songs to help them learn a concept. Media literacy is a great way to get movement in the classroom! I find math or reading concepts with music helps scholars remember the objective much clearer. The more movement I can use in my classroom the more engaged the students become and the more willing they are to learn.
My favorite movement activity is: the beach ball! Low ceilings interfere but .. the gym, a courtyard, a hallway or even outside are great places to play. The goal is get as many hits as possible without the ball hitting the ground. It can be played in groups of any number. Scholars need to use their critical thinking skills to figure how to hit a beach ball because it does not respond the same way a volleyball, for example, responds. At first groups were only getting 4 or 5 hits. Once a new way of hitting and thinking were applied, the same group was getting 50-60 hits. They soon viewed this activity as fun yet they were getting all the benefits of movement. (.. and it only cost me $1!)
ReplyDeleteTeachers can use media as an educational source. Scholars should understand that it can be used for more than just social activities.
lmo
jrpla
Movement is super essential and one of the most important ingredients for my first grade classroom. When the scholars are just sitting there quietly and still I can tell there are very few who are engaged and interested in what is going on. I may get ridiculous and silly with my movements, but I am always encouraging them to get up and get moving so we can turn on our brains and learn as much as we can. :)
ReplyDeleteI always begin our day with happy, flowing music that inspires them to get up and move. I gauge each scholar's temperature/energy level as they enter the room and move forward from there. We talk about how their evening and morning were and what we can do to make the best of our day. We stand up and do a good morning song while we wake our bodies/brains up for the day. We keep things on a super positive level at all times to encourage learning and growth. We do fun and educational learning throughout the day by using media with all of our subjects. The scholars retain more when we are doing interactive, student-centered, student initiated hands on learning.
Heidi Hilt
AAA Fair Avenue
Columbus, Ohio
I like that you begin your day with happy music. That must really set the tone for the rest of the day. That is something I need to do.
DeleteUnknown is Sheryll Purdy
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to get the day started and get the scholars "warmed" up. I know that when I can get myself to move in the mornings, that I feel much for energized, focused and ready to tackle the day.
DeleteMedia is a powerful tool because it allows scholars to relate specifically to the lives they live and not what someone else is doing. It is the here and now for them. It's present and allows them to feel like they are an important piece of their daily learning.
ReplyDeleteHeidi Hilt
AAA Fair Avenue
Columbus, Ohio
Movement is so important for scholars' learning, especially in 1st grade when they are so little. Some ways I incorporate movement during the day are brain breaks, move pair and share, and gallery walks. I also like to connect what I'm teaching to a movement; for example when we learned about the plant life cycle we did full body motions that corresponding with each step.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who grew up with Youtube, I always loved when my teachers used videos, like the one about bubonic plague, to connect with what we were learning in class. I still remember all the words to this one song from high school 6 years later. One thing my students loved this year was Fortnite Sight Words. They loved doing Fortnite dances and spelling the words with Fortnite characters. I also used BrainPop jr., raz-kids, edgenuity, math bots, kahoot, and online math games. We used QR codes for sharing links in class, which helped with getting the kids onto educational games or kahoots quickly.
As a kindergarten teacher, I am constantly using movement - all types of Brain Breaks (which also incorporated media), stretching and yoga, letter and sight word actions, activities such as Write-the-Room or Read-the-Room, finger plays and just good old singing with actions. I am a great believer in movement to help learning, retention and memory. Also keeps the energy level up if they're starting to seem sluggish - or the opposite, to help calm them down with soft music, swaying motions and yoga.
ReplyDeleteI, too, use media as the "hook" for a new theme or concept, as others have said. Also, brain breaks. It's a huge part of children's lives now and if implemented correctly can be a positive source of connection and communication with students
Movement is an essential part of my lesson plans, I use them for hooks, to learn basics as alphabet and numbers, I have used them in all the grades I have taught. Also, I always try to have a Kinesthetic learning station (playdough, shapes, standing up, etc) Young students benefit with moving from the desks to carpet, or just standing up and sitting down. It keeps them engaged and allows for an increased retention of the learning objective.
ReplyDeleteThis last year media has been critical in being able to teach online, and help students learn how to manage IPADS and different methods of learning, Raz-Kids, helps scholars read at their level, and different media games allow for engagement and problem solving. I never thought I would have to teach online a class of K students who have never been in school, one of my scholars shared with me on the second week of school 2020, Mrs. Luna "I love school", I ask what do you mean, this online stuff, and she smiled and nodded and said, "Yes", after that moment I realized I was still able to teach, it just was a different way. I just chuckled and said wait to you come to our classroom. This is for me the power of media in education.
PLA @ 103
Brittany Connett PLA@93
ReplyDeleteI try incorporate movement into nearly every lesson in my classroom. We create movements for our sight words and vocabulary words each week. Not only does this serve as a mnemonic device, but it also keeps the students engaged. Several of our centers involve movement such as write the room or fine motor skills. Movement is so important for the Kinder and first grade friends! We are surrounded by media all the time. I use songs and videos in my lessons each day. We also discuss articles, where they come from, and I focus on if the information is credible. Even in Kindergarten and first grade it is important to point out that not everything they read, here, or see (especially online) is factual.
We would never expect adults to sit for 6-7 hours a day so we certainly cannot expect it of children. I've used a variety of movement strategies over the years including gallery walks, four corners, and brain breaks spread our throughout our day. These types of activities seem to re-energize the scholars and prepare them for continued learning.
ReplyDeleteMedia is a part of everyday life now. Kids seem to spend hours on Youtube, TikTok and other video apps. Being able to take something kids really like and use it to teach makes it powerful in itself. It engages scholars and also hits multiple learning styles. I've used it ass a "hook" to interest students in new concepts, to teach specific topics and I've allowed scholars to create their own media. As a wrap up to a weather unit students created their own Weather Forecast videos and loved sharing them with the other kids.
Hi Tammy! I completely agree that scholars spend hours on social media. I teach kindergarten and have scholars beg to watch YouTube during recess or during free choice. I love being able to take what they are interested in and being able to use it in our lessons (they love Blippi!). I like the idea of having scholars produce their own media!
DeleteJacqulyn Ison
PLA@103
I completely agree with you that we would never expect adults to sit for that long during the day! I think we need to always keep that in mind and give multiple brain breaks throughout the day!
DeleteHeather Hill
PLA @93
I completely agree that using media that students use in their daily lives, in our instruction, can be very powerful. I also agree we would never ask adults to sit for that long!
DeleteI try to incorporate movement activities into nearly every lesson in my grade level small groups. We Not only do this as a creative opportunity, but it also keeps the students engaged. Movement is so important for young adults to surrounded them by media all the time. I use songs, dance and videos in my lessons each day. We also discuss articles, where they come from, and I focus on if the information is credible. It is important to point out that not everything they read, here, or see (especially online) is factual. I use movement, collaboration, and media literacy.
ReplyDeleteI use several strategies to encourage movement within my classroom. I use music and gonoodle to help to get our wiggles out and as a quick clean up or transition. With kindergarten, I have noticed that most of my scholars benefit from moving and using their bodies to explore and learn rather than just listening to me talk or completing worksheets. Often times, I use songs or videos as a hook for my lessons (we listen to songs, exercise while counting, and often play games). The centers in my classroom are hands on and forces them to move, build, or rearrange manipulatives to help solve a problem.
ReplyDeleteMedia has become a very powerful tool that is used in the classroom and can be used to help make the content more relatable to scholars. I was very impressed watching my scholars navigate and work on their ipads during the times that we had to stay home. Scholars were able to read digital books (raz kids) and play educational games that may not have felt like learning. I think that teaching scholars about media literacy is so crucial for them to promote themselves as life long learners. They will be able to use different forms of media to gather information and to compare and form opinions. I do believe that scholars should be aware that not everything they read or hear is always factual.
Jacqulyn Ison
PLA@103
I incorporate music/song/movement as often as possible. I 7understand that moving and interacting can greatly increase learning. I also offer flexible seating choices for students so they can be comfortable as they work. I think that given students some control in decisions and to make choices empowers them.
ReplyDeletePrior to COVID, I liked giving students freedom of choice in their sitting, whether it was on the floor, against the wall, close to my desk, with a pillow, etc. Most would pick the same spot anyway, since humans are creatures of habit, but they liked to mix things up every so often.
DeleteAs for music, I like to play lofi or study beats during work time to help students focus on their work. If they have headphones, are done with instruction for the day, and can focus while listening to music (stay on task), then they can choose their own as well.
Ashley Pierce - 7th Grade @ JRP (Indy)
I feel that media is extremely powerful, especially with our youth of today. However, I feel it can be a good or bad influence depending on content. We should always be mindful of what our students are being influenced by, especially media.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!! That's why it's a good idea to preview the video first.
DeleteUnknown is me: Sheryll Purdy from Trix
DeleteThe movement in my classroom is minimal, that being said I do use go noodle, and have stations with questions about math skills and reading skills. I use this mostly once every day. I would like to know more about the movement strategies in the table 3.2. I do use alot of collaboration strategies. We make story maps on the board, using sticky notes from Ciera Harris comprehension for a whole group lesson, then they work with partners same concept and then alone. We do partner and reporting back to class work on mostly math problem solving, one group always solves if differently than most, which I find fantastic. I have used media alot this past year, due to covid. We listen to stories, do interactive vocabulary lessons, go noodle lessons, slide shows on all subjects. The media we use in the classroom engages the young learning because it is what they have grown up with, it gets their attention and they are more willing to listen and engage with the media whatever it may be. We have done more on the computer this year than ever before. Using web sites to test, practice skills student love it, when they love it they learn more even if they think it is a game....
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in the classroom I used movement frequently with my scholars, because it was something that the students needed in order to stay engaged. I would use movement through implementing four corners with my scholars, having true/ false on two different sides of the room and have scholars move to their choice, and allowing scholars to determine where they wanted to sit in the classroom when completing their work.
ReplyDeleteIncorporating media in the classroom is especially important with scholars now days, because their worlds virtually revolve around it. Yes, media can be used as a means for grabbing the scholars attention, however media can be used in a way that brings learning to life for the scholars and engage them in variety of ways that help them to develop a deeper understanding.
I completely agree with you with incorporating media in the classroom. Students today use media everyday and it is important to use media to relate and content with the scholars that our in your classroom. I also agree it can really bring the learning to life!
DeleteAllison Kelly PLA103
I love using movement in my classroom! With first graders, they need movement throughout the day to stay engaged and help make their learning fun and meaningful. I use Go Noodle, Jack Hartmann, Flocabulary, and other songs and dances to help reinforce our learning skills.
ReplyDeleteI incorporated a lot of media this year due to the circumstances, but continued in person because the scholars loved it so much. They loved that stories were brought to life with Storyline Online or Kidtime Storytime. I used virtual field trips and other ways to build background knowledge. Media is a wonderful part of learning!
Heather Hill
PLA @93
Angela Posey PLA@103 Chapter 3
ReplyDeleteI have always bought into getting students to move around the classroom.
Incorportating activities that get students out of their seats can really help to awaken their thinking.
One strategy that I used is Four Corner Discussion- I might make a statement about a character in the text. I divide the room into four different corners: Strongly Disagree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Agree. I have students to stand still for a few moments so they can think about their postion and then they have to move to the corner of the room where they can discuss their position with peers who have the same thinking.
Musical Discussions- I use this activity to learn vocabulary words or to have discusssions about a story. As I play music, the studens walk around the classroom. Once the music stops, they find the closest person to them. They discuss a vocabulary word we have worked on in class or students can discuss elements of a story or discusss what the author's message.
I think having using media in the classroom has helped students to make connections more about concepts. I use utube lessons to reinforce a skill. Media definitely deepens a student's understanding.
I like to use brain gym because these "exercises" are meant to wake up the scholars brain, which help them concentrate, focus and listen better.
ReplyDeleteI also like to move scholars into different groups so that they have to get up, move to a new seat or area of the classroom. This movement seems to give them the idea that there's been a transition and that in turn helps them refocus on a new activity or topic.
I use several different media web sites to help reinforce the skill being taught. I like using wheel of names because I can use it for any topic. Flocabulary, GoNoodle, and blookit and three of my favorites.
This Sheryll from Trix Academy
DeleteMovement is critical in fostering life long learning in the classroom. I have taught kindergarten for the last three years and has a early childhood educator it was important to me to establish movement in our day to day learning in my classroom. In my phonics lessons we are kinesthetic learners. Using movement to help us retain the sounds that each letter makes and using sand and grids to feel the letter formation for each letter. Everyday students collaborated in center work in our reading block and math centers. I was able to see students retain new information and be engaged when adding movement and collaboration into our daily routine.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Media literacy is important in the classroom. I think it helps students connect and relate to the lesson. I used in my classroom as a attention grabber/hook that can get the students thinking. It also helps ENL students as they can listen and see the media to help better understand the lesson as well.
Allison Kelly PLA103
To promote movement in the classroom, I use strategies such as 4 Corners and Gallery Walks. I incorporate media into gallery walks by using QR Codes as opposed to posting texts or pictures in the room. The students love using their phones so I incorporate phone usage in class as much as possible without deviating to far from written responses and pencil/paper thinking.
ReplyDeleteZach Brubaker: GVPLA
ReplyDeleteOne way I promote movement is a lot of group/stations. I usually allow my scholars to sit on the floor under their desks, etc. I want them to be comfortable while they are working. If they cannot responsibly do so, then we go back to our desks. I also like to use out of the classroom space to learn when at all possible.
Media is great, but it can also be a hindrance. Scholars who use media will do their work and then spend time on educational sites. However, I don't want my scholars on their computers all day. It's not good for them to be on their devices all of the time.
Alyssa Scott - PLA@93
ReplyDeleteI promote movement in my classroom with the use of centers/stations, using our bodies to make and form letters and numbers, attaching a movement with an associated vocabulary word to cement its meaning. We use a lot of songs to help reinforce learning with phonics and sight words, and even math. We also take a lot of brain breaks/wiggle breaks, my scholars are kindergarteners and need all the movement possible. This past year I have used a lot of media in my classroom. I like to use it to grab student's attention in the launch of a lesson, we have also used it to take many virtual field trips this year. Students absolutely loved it!
Movement is critical to student learning, from yoga time to regulate our bodies, movements connected to learning such as using our whole body to stretch out words, to smaller opportunities such as assigning a student that needs a break to deliver something important to the office or moving from rug to the other. Movement can be a huge part of classroom management and learning.
ReplyDeleteI believe that media is powerful because it connects to students on their level. Scholars are often overstimulated in today's world and media is something they are familiar with. Using this familiar tool for instruction mirrors what they do for fun. Also, media is something that it is imperative that scholars know how to not only operate and utilize, but also analyze and be critical of. Using media in the classroom is a great way to expose scholars to the correct and educational uses of this highly prevalent part of their future and current lives.
Alissa Davis
PLA@48
Chapter 3 - Too often using media is a passive delivery method, however cranking up the kinesthetic elements AND ramping up the rigor of the activities magnifies the instructional outcome. As our students are of the tech media age we must use these resources to engage and connect with scholars.
ReplyDeleteAs always, intentionally planning and explicitly teaching the "how and the why" of the activities will allow students to gain a greater understanding of their own learning in the process. Additionally, helping students to learn how to analyze media is a truly important skill.
I totally agree that the point of having scholars analyzing media to being very important skills. The statement that media being passively used is correct, used that way too many times, so having the skill to analyze media is an added benefit. Thanks so much for this comment!
DeleteMovement is essential in my classroom. It not only warms the body muscles, but it gets the brain warmed up too. I like to constantly keep moving myself within the classroom. I love to incorporate games that encourage the scholars to think, speak and move like Round Robin and Brain Quest. I often like the scholars to move throughout the room as we analyze or summarize a lesson.
ReplyDeleteMedia is a wonderful opportunity to open up the walls of your classroom. I love the opportunity to introduce/conclude a lesson or concept with a virtual program. There are so many opportunities to enrich educational experiences by bringing media into the classroom.
Movement has been critical to many lessons within the library, something I have embraced for all grade levels. ie Having kindergarten starting out on a rug for a story, moving to tables for activities and then moving around library to find books. The movement has enabled scholars to remain alert, paying attention to details and direction. Integrating movement into the lesson plans has added value to the scholars experience too, ensuring they learn how to use the library and executing lessons that have been presented.
ReplyDeleteI have found the power of media to have an impact on scholars, so it has been intergrated into some of the presentations in library. ie Scholars watch a story, rather than doing a read aloud from a book, as the media engages scholars in hearing/watching characters within the story. Scholars remain alert to the lesson, so media has proven a worthy addition to some lessons. Further, discussing what has been presented has been very important, especially for older scholars to have the ability to understand/discuss what has been presented and why.
I try to inject movement in my classroom as much as possible. Since scholars can sit still/focus for approximately their age (6-7 minutes at most for first graders), I’ve always tried to get them moving at least that often. Whether it’s transitioning between subjects/areas of the classroom, while class brain breaks with goNoodle, switch it change its on the carpet to face a different direction, and implementing hand gestures/movements to reinforce new vocabulary words or concepts. I’m excited to teach older scholars that can help create movements/chants for remembering concepts.
ReplyDeleteMedia literacy builds relationships! What better way to connect to your scholars than by understanding and including the influence social media and the internet have on their lives. I want to incorporate their love for captioned social media (like Instagram) and online reviews (Yelp, google reviews, etc) into a book recommendation wall. Essentially scholars read books throughout the year and create book reviews in the form of captions. They could be displayed through an Instagram format. Just this little extra effort can get scholars excited to do more book reports. That is just one example of many things you can do to incorporate media into your classroom.
Stephanie Bell @93
Some instructional strategies I use to promote student movement are gallery walks, four corners, and stand up/sit down. I have used gallery walks to introduce a unit, four corners for an icebreaker, and stand up/sit down for quick need to know answers. Since I have changed subjects, rooms, and curriculum multiple times in the past eight years, it has been harder to inject movement in a class that is now all on a computer (Digital Media.)
ReplyDeleteConstant evolution of what constitutes as media is what makes it so powerful. The definition has changed since I was in high school, college, and since I started teaching. In my class I try to show scholars different forms of media and how they can apply them to their life, whether it is in high school, college, or beyond.
Ashley Pierce - 7th Grade @ JRP (Indy)