Elementary program links physical activity to academics
November 27th, 2009Sibley East Public Schools is using a multi-sensory approach to learning, to help students succeed in school.
Sibley East Elementary Schools, this year, implemented the Boost Up Program. Nine staff members attended Stimulating Maturity and Readiness Training (S.M.A.R.T.) training prior to the school year.
Sibley East teachers Carrie Pioske, Jeana Wibstad, and Brian Biermann presented a report at the school board meeting Nov. 16.
The program is primarily being used in Kindergarten and Grade 1. Biermann said that this initiative “links physical activity with academic success.”
The plan is for students to have students complete a minimum of 80 hours of Boost Up activities during the year. The activities are conducted 30 minutes per day, with 20 minutes during physical education time, and the remaining 10 minutes in the regular classroom.
Some of the activities that are done in the Boost Up Room, located on the stages at both schools, include helicopter spins, balance and vestibular, balance beam, alligator crawl, creep track, jumping and hopping, cross pattern walking, and wagon wheels and mazes. These activities are linked to aiding reading skills.
It is a “progressive stance” for the school district to implement this program, Biermann said. The Boost Up activities are modified for special needs students.
Pioske said that it is the hope to expand this program to other grade levels. She is also hoping to keep track of data whether or not there would be a link to student testing results by participating in this program.
