Elementary school has changed dramatically since my days at Sawtooth Elementary, way back in the 90's. We had one morning recess, an extended lunch recess, and an afternoon recess. It never felt like enough free time, but it is substantially more than most children get currently. More and more I read about schools eliminating recesses all together and solely focusing on the test scores, pressuring teachers to keep their students noses in books all day. But is this really effective? Are we going in the right direction?
To serve as a reflection on the school year that is nearly complete, and to create a plan for a better school year for 2017 - 2018, my childhood friend and a hero of a fourth grade teacher, Miranda Brammer offers some amazing ideas with proven results.
My name is Miranda Brammer, I am a 4th grade teacher in Gooding, ID. We are very lucky to live in this small community of nearly four thousand people. The school system here is amazing and I have never met harder working people. I am finishing my second year teaching 4th grade and I want to tell you what I have learned.
To serve as a reflection on the school year that is nearly complete, and to create a plan for a better school year for 2017 - 2018, my childhood friend and a hero of a fourth grade teacher, Miranda Brammer offers some amazing ideas with proven results.
My name is Miranda Brammer, I am a 4th grade teacher in Gooding, ID. We are very lucky to live in this small community of nearly four thousand people. The school system here is amazing and I have never met harder working people. I am finishing my second year teaching 4th grade and I want to tell you what I have learned.
The First Year
My first year of teaching, I had no clue what I was doing, and maybe I still don’t, but I know the direction I need head. In my first year, the kiddos in my class got restless; they were lethargic, and not engaged in anything I was doing. My scores were low in state testing, and I knew I had to revamp everything I was doing.
We have a 4-day school week here; meaning we go to school Monday through Thursday, then have Friday through Sunday off. This is important since we are a huge farming community, and days get pretty long with parents working 12 to 14 hours a day, we had to make time for family time. This also means that our days are looonnngggg. We start school at 7:30am and end at 4:10pm. As 4th graders, my students have a 30-minute lunch recess and 20 minute afternoon recess and the rest of the day they are shuffled around to specialized classes, in desks, doing their work. This is NOT enough exercise and WAY too much thinking to handle as a 9 year old.
As a teacher, there is not much I can do about giving them more free time. However, I realized this year I could make their assignments not seem like work and customize things in my classroom that will help them create endorphins, increase their metabolism, and boost their energy.
A New Classroom Is Born
Completely self-funded and principal approved, every kid in my class got a yoga ball chair at his or her desk. Yes, it took a lot to get used to watching 27 bouncing heads as I was trying to explain Idaho History, but well worth the extra energy burn. This reduced the amount of times the kids got out of their seat and bothered other classmates drastically.
I tried to make everything bright and fun! I did research on the paint colors I was using, and how each color could affect mood and behavior. Turns out the color orange can make you hungry and blues make you happier and increase brain activity.
Importance of Physical Activity & Mindfulness
We took time outs for 60-second “Brain Breaks” (I.e. Jumping jacks, dance parties, jump rope.) we also tried meditating, yoga, and timed breathing. After yoga, I gave my students time to write and reflect silently about how they felt their day was going in a journal that only I was allowed to read. I found Fluency and Fitness (math or reading with fitness breaks in between) on Teacherspayteachers.com, to be so much fun! Some days we didn’t get to do anything extra physically or mentally, but at least they had their bouncing yoga balls, all the time.
Another great mind exercise was the 10-minute “Hard Work” times, where at the beginning of writing or math assignments, my students had to be silent and start or think about what they were going to do for their assignment before anyone could speak or ask questions. This was followed by 5 minute reflections at the end where they got to think silently and then partner share about they liked and disliked about the assignment or activity.
Nutrition & Learning
At our school, we have an amazing program that all students get FREE breakfast, lunch and snack at the end of the day, as long as we meet healthy requirements, and the food is nutritious for their little bodies. Not only does my school district care about healthy nutrition but also to make sure each child is getting at least two meals a day. If you meet income requirements, we will send food home for your family on the weekends. I have had a student tell me that learning was hard for them because they didn’t get to eat at home. I would say our district is pretty great for not letting this be the reason kids aren’t doing their best in school.
No Homework Policy
One more little thing I do in my classroom to help boost energy and keep kids moving, is not overloading their minds with homework. A 9 year old has to live by his or her parent’s schedule. They might have parents that work late and aren’t home to help them if needed, or their parents might have errands and chores that the kiddos have to tag along for. I am a firm believer in students doing their work at school and playing and spending time with their families outside of school.
So whether is be taking time out for a 6 minute basketball game, or a 60 second dance party, get your students or kids out of their chairs and up and moving. It has proven successful this year for my class as my class's scores met or exceeded the Idaho state average this year!
I have watched Miranda's teaching journey on Instagram and couldn't be more excited for what she is doing in her classroom. As a mother of two young children, I can only hope my boys will have a teacher like Miranda who will challenge the system creatively to make a better learning environment and experience for them. May she light the way to change!
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