Academic Integration
Best Practices
Anderson County
Math and Movement has been used with great success in Anderson County Schools (ACS) for the past six years. ACS uses it within the regular classroom, special education /intervention setting, and physical education classes. Through various studies, ACS has found that this program has allowed students to become more fluent in math skills and more successful at remembering math concepts, while simultaneously keeping them active and increasing their physical activity minutes. It fits perfectly into any environment as it presents information and allows students to practice math in all learning modalities.
Carpenters Middle School in Blount County Schools
Nearly 200 Carpenters Middle School students are reading and riding for 20 minutes during their language arts classes. While all of the schools' students read a book they select for 20 minutes a day during language arts, the 196 students in the new Pedal Power program ride exercise bikes at the same time. The goal is to improve their reading, and exercise is just an added benefit.
Students' reading more also would help Carpenters Middle reach its goal for the Reading Rocks program of completing 10,000 books this school year. Carpenters Middle School purchased 14 exercise bikes with a $2,000 coordinated school health mini-grant and some additional funding from Volunteer Pharmacy. Teachers are also reaping the benefits, such as riding while reading or grading papers during planning periods when students are not using the bikes.
Tools and Resources
This is a non-exhaustive list of resources and initiatives utilized by districts to support instruction in various topics. The following resources and links are for informational purposes only and do not represent official policies, procedures, or guidance of the Tennessee Department of Education (department). Any links to products or services are neither endorsed nor vetted by the department. Additionally, the department bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external sites. Please note that nothing herein constitutes legal advice, and you should consult your district team and legal counsel with any questions.
Math and Movement uses simple and fun exercises to help introduce the fundamentals of arithmetic and early algebra concepts to children of all ages.
A collection of math/movement quick activities.
Active Academics is a collaborative initiative developed by teachers to provide active classroom solutions. Find activities that fit your classroom needs and help incorporate physical activity throughout the day.
Designed for elementary and middle school, these 10-minute classroom activities tie in academic concepts with physical activity. Activities are also available for after-school programs.
SPARKabc’s Classroom and Recess Activity Program
Classroom activity solutions brought to you by the world's most researched and field-tested physical education program! Extensive evidence supports the association between school-based physical activity (PA) and academic performance. SPARKabc’s (Activity Break Choices) is an exciting new program that helps classroom teachers use physical activity to improve academic achievement and foster healthy behaviors. Content includes Classroom ASAP’s (Active Soon As Possible), as well as physical activities that support learning standards in Literacy/Language Arts, STEM, Social Studies, Nutrition Education, and the Common Core State Standards Initiative.
GoNoodle helps teachers and parents get kids moving with short interactive activities. Desk-side movement helps kids achieve more by keeping them engaged and motivated throughout the day.
Read and Ride is a program encouraging students to be more active while reading. It is lauded as an effective, easy-to-implement, and cost-free program that seeks to reduce childhood obesity and promote literacy.