Unit 3: Integrating Movement Into Math
Learning Objectives
Learners will:
- Assess and evaluate learning activities that incorporate movement into math instruction
- Apply ideas to their own experience
- Analyze the videos in looking for how movement was integrated and additional ideas
- Create their own activity that integrates movement into math learning
Math & Movement
As you've seen through the previous Units, it is important to teach and do activities with the brain in mind because movement can influence students’ brains and better their learning and understanding.
Take a look at the Math & Movement website. Math & Movement is a program that uses play-based learning techniques to enhance retention, engage students, and give them an opportunity to be physical. The website offers pages upon pages of mats that students are able to step on, jump on, and interact with to learn or review mathematical concepts.
💭 Did you see any math mats that would be useful for the students you work with? Are there any ways you can incorporate these mats into your mathematical instruction?
Examples of Learning Math Through Movement
In this video, Suzy Koontz, the founder of Math & Movement, goes through several ways to integrate movement into math learning.
- 💭 Which was your favorite activity?
- 💭 What were some of your takeaways from hearing the students talk about Math & Movement?
This Lines and Angles video shows one example of how music and movement can be used to help students learn new material or review already taught concepts.
- 💭 Do you think that having students stand up and follow along with this video would help them remember the geometry terms?
- 💭 How else can this video be used to support students' learning?
✍️ You can jot down your notes and reflections here!
Math Brain Breaks
- This playlist offers several brain break videos to support 2nd grade math standards.
- This video asks students to choose the correct answer to a multiplication equation by doing one of three movements.
- Similarly, this video asks students to choose the correct answer to an addition/subtraction equation by doing one of two movements.
Video Analysis
Watch this 3rd Grade Math & Movement Video and think about the following questions:
- 🤔 How did this teacher engage her students in practicing their multiples of six and seven?
- 🤔 Do you think that these activities will help students retain their skip counting facts?
- 🤔 Could these activities be modified for students younger/older? How?
✍️ You can jot down your notes and reflections here!
Create-Your-Own Activity!
💭 Come up with your own math and movement activity using the current grade of students that you work with. (If you do not currently work with any students, decide on a grade level and math topic that is developmentally appropriate.)
Resources you may use:
- The New York State Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards
- Refer back to the Math & Movement learning mats for some inspiration
📝 Fill out this form with your idea!
➡️ After completing all of the learning activities, move onto Unit 4
🏠 Click here to go back to the home page!