Journal #9

Activating Your School: Movement-Oriented Learning
Pete Rognli

In his article Pete Rognli discusses the implementation of the School of the Future located in the Rochester Minnesota school district. This school combines physical activity with the integration of technology. Students have access to wireless technology that allows them to work on assignments using laptops in a variety of positions such as sitting, kneeling or standing. He points out that according to the American Heart Association, physical ed has been steadily decreasing and students are exercising less. According to the author, bringing physical activity into the classroom was a collaborative effort that was put into practice last March by the Mayo Clinic, the Rochester School District, local health clubs and Apple Computers. Students were able to walk laps while at the same time using pod casts on lessons and wrote assignments on e-books. Rognli also points out that integrating physical activity into the classroom environment does mean that educators need expensive materials. integration can be accomplished by finding creative ways of using physical activity in the classroom.

1. In what ways could I integrate physical activity in the classroom if I lack the resources to buy expensive equipment?
I could set aside a short time for my students to go outside for a five minute brisk walk every day. This would give them some much needed excersice as well as provide them with a break from the routine of the classroom. I could also arrange my lessons to include short periods where students stretch or run in place.

2. How could I get parents involved in helping their children be more active at home?
I could create a weekly newsletter with tips on healthy snacks that parents can make for their children at home as well as physical activities that can be done at home with very little effort. I would also include a list of upcoming events that are provided by the city at no cost. For example, attending free trail walks around the surrounding countryside.