(GARLAND ISD-February 22, 2013) A new initiative at Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence is adding more exercise into education, and the results show an increase in student engagement.
In spring 2012, the Garland ISD elementary school exchanged students’ chairs for exercise balls.
“Students often sit in classrooms for long periods of time without an opportunity to really move around,” said Principal Alex Rivera. “That can lead to them tuning out, misbehaving or even asking to sharpen a pencil or go to the bathroom just to get up. I was looking for a way to keep students alert, focused and in their seats.”
While researching, Rivera came across articles and videos explaining the physical and mental benefits of exercise balls. Many indicated a rise in activity level that could burn up to 350 calories per day and leave users with more energy and better brain function. In December 2011, Walnut Glen’s fourth grade classes were asked to conduct their own experiments.
“We first got the exercise balls during benchmark testing,” said Mylinda Wilcut, fourth grade math and writing teacher. “I think they helped students not get exhausted, having to sit for four hours. You’d see them pause, bounce a few times and then get back to work.”
By January 2012, almost every class had asked for a set of its own. And, with the help of Walnut Glen’s PTA, the entire school was outfitted last March.
Now exercise balls are incorporated across the campus in various ways. As chairs, they help students improve posture and strengthen core muscles. Light bouncing also increases blood flow to the brain, allowing students to re-focus or re-energize during instruction or independent study. And, exercise balls can serve as a memory aide when teachers use them to illustrate lessons like molecules, syllables or perimeter.
“By moving them up-and-down or side-to-side, my students act out length or width,” explained Wilcut. “I also like to teach with games, cheers and songs. The added aspect of bouncing or tapping the ball helps keep the beat and engages the students’ whole body, so they’re more likely to remember.”
“My favorite thing to do with the exercise balls is bouncing while I read because it helps me concentrate,” added fourth grader Leah Ninan.
In addition to academics, the exercise balls are also incorporated into daily exercise videos. Students lead their peers in a three-minute routine every morning during Walnut Glen’s announcements. Workouts include bouncing, cross-body presses, arm circles and leg kicks.
Third grade science teacher Cherelle Wilson helps produce the videos as part of WGA’s Extended Day program.
“I act as the facilitator,” she said. “Students brainstorm what kind of exercises they should include and I film them. My advanced students even make the videos using Windows Movie Maker.”
An online video archive allows teacher to access past routines when classes need an extra workout during the day.
“It’s a good transition between classes or after lunch,” Wilson commented. “I don’t feel tired at the end of the day anymore because I’m always moving.”
“It makes working more fun and it gets your blood flowing,” said fourth grader Collin Azeez.
WGA is the district’s first campus to implement exercise balls schoolwide. While students are not required to use them, teachers and even Rivera model the encouraged behavior. A list of classroom expectations also ensures proper use and care, so that the program can continue to thrive in the future.
“Students see this as a privilege and are responsible not to lose it,” said Wilcut. “I don’t think the school could go back to chairs. Our eyes have been opened to exercise balls as a learning tool and source of exercise throughout the day.”
“I’d like to start incorporating them into more of our fine arts programs like choir and orchestra,” added Rivera.
Submitted by Tiffany Graber, Garland ISD Communications.
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