Learning Readiness Physical Education LRPE

2. Titusville Physical Education Background Pre-K Kindergarten 6th Grade Senior High School All it takes to change this is….

3. Why did we undertake LRPE? PE can no longer survive as a stand-alone subject. Re-thinking how we learn Research has indicated that an active person learns better Cross-curricular collaboration = relevance to students

4. What is LRPE? Learning readiness physical education was designed based on research indicating that students who are physically active and fit are more academically alert and experience growth in brain cells and/or enhancement in brain development. This course paired a physical education class that incorporates cardiovascular exercise, core strength training, cross lateral movements, and health topics with language arts and math classes that utilized movement to enhance learning and improve achievement.

5. How exercise affects the brain The brain is like a muscle!! Brain needs to be challenged both physically and cognitively. Integrates and anchors new information into our neural networks. Exercise is like Miracle Gro for the brain!!!

6. How exercise affects the brain Mood regulation Self-esteem Impulse control Combats toxic effects of stress hormones Improves neural arousal Combats depression Improves behavior Memory retention – better encodes information

7. How exercise affects the brain Exercise makes it easier for our nerves to wire together. Neurogenesis in hippocampus which is important for learning and memory BDNF - Increases neuronal communication AEROBIC ACTIVITY GROWS NEW BRAIN CELLS!!

8. Action Based Learning 85% of students are predominately kinesthetic learners. Memory is retrieved better when learned through movement. Crossing the midline forces the brain to better organize itself, and increases blood flow. Fundamental to reading, writing, and speaking

9. Action Based Learning Blood traveling to brain acts as gasoline would in a car. When we sit, blood pools in our legs. Our attention span is equal to our age until we reach age 12.

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12. Titusville LRPE Program Purpose: To examine the effect on academics of a high cardio PE class followed by Math and English classes

13. How were Students Selected? Students were selected based on PSSA Math Scores All students were Freshmen Math and English had 15 students P.E. had 21 students (6 in control group)

14. What Happened in PE Class? Mondays were heart rate or core work days with Nintendo DS Brain Age. The rest of the week included active P.E. activities with a focus on elevation of heart rate. Target heart zone was 145 to 185.

15. What Was Done In English Class? Please take this back to a “faculty meeting.” Movement in class Why was movement included? How often was movement included?

16. JAKE BREAKSTOP AND MOVE! Brain Break…and let it go Drop and give me five Practice what you preach Keep up with me – stairs Discipline Other teachers Students’ reactions – BB, journals

17. What Was Done In Math Class? Math and English teachers collaborated to create common activities www.learningreadinesspe.com

18. Brain Break Slap Count Face each other with your palms up. Person A should take their right hand and cross over and hit person B’s right hand and say 1 Then person A should take their left hand and cross over and hit person B’s left hand and say 2 Person B does the same except says 3 and 4. This repeats until you reach 30. Variations Go up by 3’s 5’s, or any number. Start at a number and go down by another number (like start at 34 and go down by 3’s)? Start at one and double each number Each person spells their own name or any other vocabulary from class Make a pattern like the left hand always adds 2 and the right hand always adds 3 Each person spells a word and each tries to figure out the other person’s word.

19. Data Changes from 07-08 to 08-09 LRPE students Discipline = -11.21 Math = +11.79% English = +0.15% 9th grade class as a whole Discipline = -5.35 Math = +1.20% English = +2.12%

20. LRPE Math / English Math - 12 out of 14 improved from 8th grade to 9th grade 13 out of 14 passed math English - 6 out of 14 improved from 8th grade to 9th grade 12 out of 14 passed English Pretest 12% passed Post-test 100% passed

21. More Data Changes from 07-08 to 08-09 LRPE students Discipline = -11.21 Math = +11.79% English = +0.15% LRPE Control group Discipline = -4.00 Math = -11.43% English = -1.71%

22. Individual LRPE students Discipline All 14 had fewer discipline referrals from 8th grade to 9th grade Attendance 13.92 absences per LRPE student in 08-09 10.14 absences per student for 9th grade class as a whole 18.00 absences per student for Control group

23. 2008-09 Nintendo DS Brain Age

24. 2008-09 Issues 2009-10 Adjustments Labeled the “retarded” gym class by others. All 9th grade students involved. Students didn’t get to interact with others. All 9th grade students involved. Together three classes in a row. All 9th grade students involved + Social Studies Many behavior issues Not an issue (see above). Bright students held back by slower students Differentiation (see above). Students went to lunch after activity. Schedule was amended to solve this. Communication with Math and English teacher difficult. Still an issue due to lack of common plan time. Lack of continuous professional development. Better, but still a work in progress. Research paper was based on “Dragons” Research paper topic is now “Movement/Exercise and not very relevant to students. and the Brain” and is relevant to students.

25. LRPE schedule for 2008-09 6th period (11:51 to 12:32) – High-Cardio PE Lunch (12:32 to 1:02) 7th period (1:02 to 1:43) – English 8th period (1:47 to 2:28) – Math

26. LRPE schedule for 2009-10 2nd period (8:44 to 9:25) – PE or elective 3rd period (9:29 to 10:10) – PE or elective 4th period (10:14 to 10:55) – English, Math, or Social Studies 5th period (10:59 to 11:40) – English, Math, or Social Studies 6th period (11:44 to 12:25) – English, Math, or Social Studies Lunch (12:25 to 12:55)

27. Questions

28. Contact Info Andy Wheeling awheeling@penncrest.org Judy Millar jmillar@gorockets.org Tim McCord tmccord@gorockets.org