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By Jamie Forsythe

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Summary

What I found to be most interesting in this article by Carol Hammett was her choice to do movement during story time. This research is based on movement learning, a type of movement created by the researcher during this study. The movement based learning wasn’t specific to a program, such as Brain Gym, but conducive to physical activity during story time. The results from this study show the students choose to participate in the group conducting physical activity during story time versus a non-active read aloud. The results of this study were encouraging. It showed vocabulary acquisition improved during the active story time compared to the controlled group.  Hammett also encouraged more research into teaching vocabulary to elementary students through movement learning and the importance for teachers to research  teaching methods and strategies that promote vocabulary acquisition of children in the early primary grades. Teachers would understand the importance of kinesthetic learning, learning though movement and its benefits that may be enjoyed by all learners.  Hammett concluded with  findings that this particular study offers possibilities for an action research model that educational leaders can use to support teachers-research at the classroom level (2009). This information is encouraging for me to conduct my own research on movement learning. It suggests that overall movement my be a key to enhanced learning versus specific Brain Gym movements. Brain Gym is an expensive program that not all schools may have the option to afford.

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Summary

This article draws attention to the “typical” classroom setting; sitting in chairs, no talking, no moving. It address that concerns of not having movement in the classroom and the effects it has on our students. Pica states that the most recent brain research has done much more than suggest movement to develop motor skills, but also develop academic skills (2008). Pica points out the research of other whole brain learning promoters, Eric Jensen notes that the cerebellum is a “virtual switchboard of cognitive activity”. Several studies demonstrated a connection between the cerebellum and such cognitive functions as memory, spatial orientation, attention, language, and decision making, among others. Research shows that the brain is activated during physical activity. This encourages teachers to promote movement learning, not while sitting in a seat. According to Jensen, sitting for more than 10 minutes at a stretch “reduces our awareness of physical and emotional sensations and increases fatigue.” Movement will increase blood vessels that allow for the delivery of oxygen, water, and glucose to the brain. The can only help optimize the brain, again supporting movement learning. Pica suggests movement, is just the element that we are missing in our teaching.

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Official Website Whole Brain Learning

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WholeBrainNC.com believes that perceptual-motor development is crucial to the learning process.

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Classroom Teachers Perceptions of Physical Activity

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Classroom Teachers Perceptions of Physical Activity

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CMER - Center For Movement Education & Research

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center for movement education and research

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Alternate Route Dance/Movement Training at CMER

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CMER is a non-profit organization dedicated to the use of movement and dance to foster improved learning, creativity, and health. A wide array of courses are offered for continuing education purposes or for those persuing a career in the fast growing field of Dance/Movement Therapy.

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By Edward Millar

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Can adding movement to learning improve the classroom environment? (1996)

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Can adding movement to learning improve the classroom environment? (1996)

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Brain Gym in the Classroom By Izabella Hearn

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Brain Gym in the Classroom By Izabella Hearn

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Brain Gym is program based on movements, exercises, or

activities that promotes moving with intention that will lead to optimal learning (Brain Gym International, 2011).  Brain Gym is an official trademark of Educational Kinesiology Foundation started by a man named Paul E. Dennison and his wife. Brain Gym consists of 26 movements that if practiced by students show dramatic improvement in several areas such as concentration and focus, memory, academics: reading, writing, math, physical coordination, and attitude. The Brian Gym website promotes these activities and shares testimonials of parents with children with learning difficulties, low gross motor skills, and other academic concerns.

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Improving Vocabulary With Multi-Sensory Instruction Summary

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Improving Vocabulary With Multi-Sensory Instruction Summary

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D’Alesio, Scalia, and Zabel use multisensory as a direct instruction approach to research vocabulary acquisition. Their goal was to gather evidence of marked improvement in the number of vocabulary words students recognize, understand, and use. During their research they used three different intervention approaches. One of them being Brain Gym. Their research showed that a multisensory, direct instructional approach improves student vocabulary acquisition.  The use of multi sensory methods, whether specific to Brain Gym or not are beneficial to the early elementary classrooms. D’Alesio, Scalia, and Zabel state that teachers should be doing more brain research and multisensory movement in their classroom for not only vocabulary acquisition, but other areas of content as well.

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The effects of physical movement during story time on vocabulary acquisition of primary students in grades K-1; An exploratory investigation in one school location.

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The effects of physical movement during story time on vocabulary acquisition of primary students in grades K-1; An exploratory investigation in one school location.

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Carol Hammett

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The effects of physical movement during story time on vocabulary acquisition of primary students in grades K-1: An exploratory investigation in one school location - ProQuest

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Rosmary D'Alesio

Maureen Scalia

Renee Zabel

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The effects of Brain Gym as a general Education intervention: Improving academic performance and behaviors. 

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The effects of Brain Gym as a general Education intervention: Improving academic performance and behaviors. 

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Sherri S. Nussbaum

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The effects of 'Brain Gym' as a general education intervention: Improving academic performance and behaviors - ProQuest

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California brain gym website

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Reclaim the Joy of Living with the Brain Gym® Program

Most of us probably aren't aware of how hard we are working in life. It makes sense-we've only ever experienced our own eyes, our own ears, our own brain, our own movement patterns, and our own way of interacting with the world. But what if it could be easier? What if you could process information faster? Or driving was less stressful? What would change if you had simple tools to lower your stress levels in general? How much would your life, the lives of those you love, or the lives of those you support improve? Think of the dreams that could be realized. These are some of the outcomes that the Brain Gym® program can provide. Many have been so transformed by this program that they became instructors and consultants to help others experience similar results.

The Brain Gym® program is made up of 26 activities, along with several other movement-based techniques that help address balance, posture, and coordination skills associated with daily life success. Synchronize your system for better comprehension, focus, organization, communication, and emotional health. You'll find Brain Gym® being used in schools, corporations, elder facilities, athletic training programs, as well as for personal and professional growth.

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The Brain Gym® Program - Breakthroughs International

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Most of us probably aren't aware of how hard we are working in life. It makes sense-we've only ever experienced our own eyes, our own ears, our own brain, our own movement patterns, and our own way of interacting with the world. But what if it could be easier?

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I'm anxious to get started posting ideas for my action research project on the use of motor and brian gym in the Kindergarten classroom.