Sparking the brain for better learning
Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Thursdays are special at Tucker Elementary School in Lowell. It's the day that Tucker students exercise their brain with the help of P. E. teacher Jennifer Osburn.
"I tell them we're making sparks to spark their brain," she said. She believes the sparks lead to better learning later in the day.
It all began with an in-service early in the year. Tucker teachers heard a presentation by Jean Blaydes about action-based learning. Some physical activities, Osburn explained, use the same brain pathways as reading and math, she said. Stimulating those pathways with physical activity pays off.
Cross lateral movement - when a hand crosses the center of the body - is especially important, Osburn said, because it may be creating new pathways. The Alzheimer Association is working on similar research.
Last year Tucker Elementary School also housed a middle school program, but those students moved out when grade configurations changed districtwide - leaving Osburn with an extra gym. The smaller gym is the one used for the new program Brain Gym. Because of the surplus space, Osburn is able to leave her Brain Gym equipment in place all week. Teachers are welcome to bring their class in for a brain exercise break at any time. It's already been used when rain kept students indoors for recess. She expects it will be used often during testing periods.
"It's not about wearing them out," she said," it's about waking them up."
Brain Gym equipment is a collection of foam shapes, exercise mats, balls, ropes and Hula Hoops. The gym's built-in climbing wall is used as well. Students cross the wall, climbing from peg to peg from the left to right, which forces them to use cross lateral movements, Osburn said.
The equipment is arranged in stations, so small groups of students move from station to station spinning, bouncing and jumping. Osburn changes the stations every week.
One station is made of Hula Hoops placed on the floor, Osburn said. Students are asked to spin inside the hoop. Small children spin instinctively, she explained, although fifth graders are less enthusiastic than the younger students. Spinning helps develop the inner ear and improves balance, she explained.
Some of the Brain Gym exercises are closely connected to academics. Students can trace the shape of letters on a large floor mat decorated with a figure eight and a cross. There's also a set of handheld cards with the same graphic, as well as a teacher's guide. Students can trace their name by walking on the mat. For students just learning their letters, it's a powerful reinforcement.
All the movement is done to music with
While one group works in the Brain Gym, music teacher Heather Dehnhardt often brings another group to the music room for juggling or other rhythmic exercises. A third group may be working in the big gym at the same time, Osburn said.
Teachers have been very supportive and often wear "Brain Gym"T-shirts on Thursdays, Osburn said.
Fifth-grade teacher Steve Berens sees a difference in his students on Thursdays.
"It gets them out of their seats," he said. "It gives them energy that they bring back to the classroom."
It's too soon to tell if they're brain has been sparked, Osburn said. She plans to monitor test scores this year to see if they show an improvement. She expects to see some.
"If you don't try to use your brain, then you don't grow brain cells," she said.
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