Movers and Shakers:Movers and Shakers:Using Movement in Using Movement in MathematicsMathematics

Jacqueline Poirier and Amanda HawkinsRCDSB

OutlineOutlineGetting to know each otherWhy use movement?Classroom EnvironmentStructures that include

movement

Find Someone WhoFind Someone WhoGreat way to

meet and greet

Use at the beginning of the semester

As a preview or review for units

Why movement?Why movement?• Exercise can increase cognitive ability

in children• Research supports merging movement

with academics in the classroom• You can incorporate movement

without letting the curriculum sufferMovement is essential to keeping kids◦ Focused◦ Excited◦ Enthusiastic◦ Ready to learn

Cooperative LearningCooperative LearningCooperative learning is a successful

teaching strategy in which small teams, each with students of different levels of ability, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject

1. Positive 1. Positive InterdependenceInterdependence    (sink or swim together) (sink or swim together)

A gain for one student is a gain for other students

Students need each other to complete the given task

2. Individual 2. Individual AccountabilityAccountabilityIndividual public performance is

required

3. Equal Participation3. Equal ParticipationNo one can dominate the activityNo one individual can sit back

and relax

4. Simultaneous 4. Simultaneous InteractionInteractionGetting as many students overtly

active as possible at any given time

Interpersonal and Small Interpersonal and Small Group SkillsGroup SkillsSocial skills must be taught:

◦Leadership◦Decision-making◦Trust-building◦Communication◦Conflict-management skills

Mix-Freeze-GroupMix-Freeze-GroupUse this

activity to get your class into groups

Mix-N-MatchMix-N-MatchGreat review of

conceptsQuadratic

Equations and Graphs

Equation of a Line

Line-UpsLine-UpsStudents

line-up in order

MultiplicationOrder of

operationsNumber

systems

Line-Up ChallengeLine-Up ChallengeAnswers

are in a sequence

Integers Showdown!

Relay RaceRelay RaceVersatileCan build on the previous

answersCan make each uniqueWork as a team to solve the

problemSimplifying equations

Chart Paper Relay RaceChart Paper Relay RaceVariation of the previous activityUse chart paperWorks best with questions that

have a variety of answersCharacteristics of quadraticsEverything you know about

probability

Chart Paper Round RobinChart Paper Round RobinWorks best with multi-step

questionsWill need a timerSolving systems of equationsVocab (word wall)

Guess Who/WhatGuess Who/WhatWill need post-it notesTerminology

ConclusionConclusionScience supports movement in

academic classroomsIt can take as much or as little time

as you wantStructured movement helps

eliminate classroom management problems

Helps to create a positive learning environment where students communicate effectively

Contact UsContact UsIf you would like copies of the

activities we have worked through today . . .

If you would like more detailed instructions on the activities . . .

. . . Please feel free to emailThank you for coming