Course Fee: $90
Course Numbers: EED x701, SED x701
Standard Course Time: 15 hours
Semester Credits: One (1) academic credit at the post-baccalaureate level (available for an additional fee)
Credit Issued by: Cal Poly Humboldt (refer to our University Credit page for credit pricing and details)
Subject Area: Special Topics
This course has been developed and optimized for online delivery using the licensed title Learning on Your Feet, published by Routledge and authored by Brad Johnson and Melody Jones.
What makes this course stand out from other classroom strategy courses is the inclusion of more physical fitness, which research shows dramatically improves students’ focus, behavior, and achievement. But understand that the research and activities aren’t just an extension of physical education class. Rather, they focus on developing core, balance, and fitness, which improve reading, critical thinking, organization, focus, behavior, and overall academic achievement. The research in this course overwhelmingly reinforces our position that a fit body is critical to maximum student achievement and overall success. What is interesting is that many academic issues with reading or math are actually often related to physical issues. For example, as we will discuss in the course, poor reading skills may in some part be attributed to lack of coordination (body midline), which impedes the ability to read from left to right.
If the ideas and strategies in this course are implemented into the traditional classroom, you will see a significant change in your students’ behavior, productivity, sense of well-being, and achievement. Students’ achievement can increase dramatically as their overall fitness improves. Teachers have also greatly benefited from the exercises discussed in this course, with weight loss, improved core strength, balance, and increased sense of well-being. Every module has great ideas to try, so feel free to implement as few or as many as you feel comfortable including in your classroom.
Learning Objectives:
Project 1: The Need for Movement
Quiz: Multiple-choice questions that pertain to objectives above.
Learning Objectives:
Project 2: Home Improvement for the Traditional Classroom
Quiz: Multiple-choice questions that pertain to objectives above.
Learning Objectives:
Quiz: Multiple-choice questions that pertain to objectives above.
Learning Objectives:
Project 3: And Then There Was Music…
Quiz: Multiple-choice questions that pertain to objectives above.
Multiple choice questions taken from each module
Learning statements should be in a narrative format – as opposed to an outline format. Depending on individual writing styles Learning statements should be 2-3 pages. The learning statement can vary according to individual style. Your learning statement should answer the broad question of "what did you learn?". To help get you thinking, here are some suggested questions:
Learning Objective: Identify ways to incorporate movement activities into your classroom.
In this first module, we have learned about the about the important connection between learning and exercise. Regular physical activity supports healthy child development by improving memory, concentration, and positive outlook. The connection between learning and exercise seems to be especially strong for elementary school students. Given these findings, cutting back on physical education, recess, and even play with the aim of improving academic performance, as some districts have done, appears to be counterproductive. With your new understanding of exercise and its connection to learning, this project will focus on identifying the need for movement and the incorporation of movement activities into your classroom.
Take a moment to reflect on your findings for this project, using the questions below as a guide:
Visit the "Module Projects" section located within the Course Dashboard, and take a moment to share your findings by submitting your written project reflection.
If you are not currently teaching (ie. Summer break, you are a substitute teacher, etc.), each class offers you the ability to complete coursework independent of a classroom assignment.