AUGUST 2016

THE 5A MONTHLY
News & Happenings from
Miss Arons Classroom
Oak Elementary School, Room 23
Email: aronemil@msu.edu

Focus on Physical Activity & Academic Performance:

Upcoming Classroom Events

Introduction
August 30th: Meet My Family & I
Sheet Due

September 5th: Labor Day (No

What does concentration, memory, classroom behavior, and self-esteem have

to do with physical activity (PA)? Well, according to many studies, PA benefits many
parts of your childs regular daily life! In class this past week, we have started to talk

School)

September 7th: Curriculum Night

September 14th: Field Trip to Uncle
Johns Cider Mill

Whats Happening in the

Classroom?
Reading: Short Stories by
Various Authors

about how a healthy and active lifestyle can help a students school performance. For
example, the increasing trend of overweightness and obesity in children poses serious
health issues. The risk of heart disease and high blood pressure increases, while
cognitive development is negatively impacted (Castelli, Glowacki, Barcelona, Calvert, &
Hwang, 2015, p. 1). On the other hand, PA positively impacts cognitive development.
The brain helps in learning as it does important functions like retrieve stored memory,
which helps students recall information.
As a tie-in to demonstrate the importance of maintaining healthy habits, I

Writing: Persuasive Essays

have led students through class lessons that involve light PA to get the blood

Math: Multiplication Tables

pumping throughout the school day! Over the next few monthly newsletters, I will

Science: Health & Nutrition

provide more information on PAs impact on academic success. Look forward to

Social Studies: American

briefs on:

Revolution

Physical education
PA during the school day
PA after the school day
Importance of walking

Melissa: 8/5
Kyle: 8/22

SEPTEMBER 2016

THE 5A MONTHLY
News & Happenings from
Miss Arons Classroom
Oak Elementary School, Room 23
Email: aronemil@msu.edu

Upcoming Classroom Events

Focus on Physical Activity & Academic Performance:

Physical Education

September 5th: Labor Day (No

School)

In fifth grade, your child is getting physical education (PE) 3 days a week for

September 7 : Curriculum Night

40 minutes. Across the state and the country, however, youngsters are in PE for less

September 14th: Field Trip to Uncle

and less time. The current trend for PE programs in schools is that many programs

th

Johns Cider Mill

September 30th: Health Logs Due

Whats Happening in the

Classroom?
Reading: Johnny Tremain by
Esther Forbes
Writing: Persuasive Essays
Math: Multiplication Methods
Science: Health & Nutrition
Social Studies: American
Revolution Skits

are being eliminated at a certain grade and daily participation in programs decreases
over the grades (Coe, Pivarnik, Womack, Reeves, & Malina, 2006, p. 1515). This means
that out of the 6 to 8 hours that elementary students are in school, they are getting
little scheduled PE, so less time for physical activity (PA). During the time for PE, less
than half of it is on moderate to vigorous PA*, which as covered earlier, are the levels
needed to support cognitive functions and academic success. To conclude, studies
have even noticed that increased time devoted to physical education does not
decrease academic achievement (Donnelly & Lambourne, 2011, p. 38).
So why do students need PE in the schools?
PA allows for increased arousal and reduced boredom (Coe et al., 2006, p.
1515)
Increased concentration from activities involving coordination
Increased attention span
Improved cognitive ability
Releases beneficial hormones like endorphins and dopamine
Generates energy that can be directed positively toward academic
performance
*Health guidelines recommend 20 minutes/day for at least 3 days/week for vigorous PA & 30
minutes/day for at least 5 days/week for moderate PA

Ali: 9/2
Michelle: 9/8
Shreya: 9/15
Dave: 9/21

OCTOBER 2016

THE 5A MONTHLY
News & Happenings from
Miss Arons Classroom
Oak Elementary School, Room 23
Email: aronemil@msu.edu

Upcoming Classroom Events

Focus on Physical Activity & Academic Performance:

Physical Activity during the School Day

October 10th: Columbus Day

(No School)

October 20th: Meet the Artist

October 31st: Halloween Party

Within the six hour school day, there are many ways that kids can get
physically active beyond just during physical education. In fact, it is often the case that
providing physical activity for students is in line with schools academic mission
(Castelli, Glowacki, Barcelona, Calvert, & Hwang, 2015, p. 2). Teachers generally are
willing to integrate physical activity into grade level-specific lessons (Castelli et al.,
2015, p. 3). This increases a childs weekly amount of physical activity (PA), which has

Whats Happening in the

Classroom?
Reading: Analyzing Pink and

health benefitsthen, due to this PA, attentiveness can increase, which helps in
classroom productivity. Even after just one session of PA, children can increase their
attention and memory, and reduce inappropriate behavior (Castelli et al., 2015, p. 3)
which allows for a more focused class time.

Say by Patricia Polacco

Writing: Peer Editing Stories
Math: Word Problems
Science: Digestive System
Social Studies: Civil War

http://bit.ly/1UWCouX

I have been teaching classroom lessons while incorporating PA, due to the
Joyce: 10/2
Kiki: 10/5
Sam: 10/25

health and academic benefits shown through research. Many of my lessons are
inspired by the program Physical Activity Across the Curriculum (PAAC). The program
has seen significant improvements made in reading, math, and spelling scores by
students in PAAC classrooms. By replicating their curriculum ideas, I hope to grow the
academic performance of your child even more!

NOVEMBER 2016

THE 5A MONTHLY
News & Happenings from
Miss Arons Classroom
Oak Elementary School, Room 23
Email: aronemil@msu.edu

Upcoming Classroom Events

Focus on Physical Activity & Academic Performance:

Physical Activity after the School Day

November 1st: Dia de los Muertos

Event

Physical activity (PA) has been incorporated into our school through active

November 11 : Veterans Day (No

th

School)

academic lessons and physical education classes. While this contributes to improving
student health and class performance, research suggests that after school and

November 17th: Meet the Artist

weekend PA programs are optimal to higher academic performance. The amount of

November 23rd-25th: Thanksgiving

vigorous exercise needed to impact academics is found in programs like FITKids or

Break (No School)

extracurricular sports. As Coe, Pivarnik, Womack, Reeves, and Malina (2006) remark,
children who either performed some or met Healthy People 2010 guidelines for

Whats Happening in the

Classroom?
Reading: Book Reports
Writing: Narrative Essays
Math: Division Methods
Science: Circulatory System
Social Studies: 19th Century
America

vigorous activity had significantly higher grades than students who did not perform
vigorous activity. If you are looking for ways to get your child involved in sports, I
would recommend reviewing your park districts program guide or looking online for
local sports clubs!
What are some ways that extracurricular PA can benefit academics?
Students in FITKids report improved working
memory
Team sports can increase a students
task orientation
Team sports can lead to a higher
retention rate
Team sports can lead students to
a greater engagement with their
institution (Trudeau & Shephard,
2008, p. 7)

Sasha: 11/5
Rhea: 11/7
Ben: 11/15
Alex: 11/22
Mia: 11/28

Sports have both significant

physical and mental benefits!
They can lead to more motivation
both in school and in life

DECEMBER 2016

THE 5A MONTHLY
News & Happenings from
Miss Arons Classroom
Oak Elementary School, Room 23
Email: aronemil@msu.edu

Upcoming Classroom Events

Focus on Physical Activity & Academic Performance:

Walking

December 5th-9th: Book Fair

December 15th: Meet the Artist
December 21st: Holiday Party
December 24th-January 8th:
Holiday Break (No School)

In the Healthy People 2010 guidelines, which outlines ways to prevent certain
health risks and sets public health goals for schools, it points out the benefit of walking
to school (McKenzie & Kahan, 2008, p. 173). Walking is the ultimate physical activity
(PA) because it is a low aerobic exercise that has many health benefits, such as
reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, decreasing the risk of heart disease, and
increasing weight loss. Your fifth grader has low aerobic capacity, so walking is an

Whats Happening in the

Classroom?
Reading: Book Club
Presentations

appropriate PA since it is low impact, low intensity, but high volume and can burn lots
of calories! A great way to track walking is by using pedometers. These are a valid
and reliable way to record stepsour classroom has enjoyed using them during
physical education (PE) class!
In addition to the health benefits of walking, this PA can contribute to

Writing: Peer Editing Narratives

academic performance. The aerobic exercise of walking helps to improve the

Math: Creating Math Problems

cognitive control of attentionincreasing attention and academic performance

Science: Respiratory System

(Hillman et al., 2009, p. 1044), as shown through improved reading comprehension

Social Studies: 19th Century

assessments taken after exercising. Walking to or from school, during PE, and during

America

PA breaks throughout the school day can thus benefit our students and prepare them
for better success in the classroom!
Some fun ways to walk at home:
Dog walk
Nature walk
I Spy walk

Elise: 12/2
Lea: 12/10
Matthew: 12/13

References
Castelli, D. M., Glowacki, E., Barcelona, J. M., Calvert, H. G., & Hwang, J. (2015). Active
education: Growing evidence on physical activity and academic performance. Active
Living Research, 1-5. Retrieved from
activelivingresearch.org/sites/default/files/ALR_Brief_ActiveEducation_Jan2015.pdf
Coe, D. P, Pivarnik, J.M., Womack, C. J., Reeves, M. J., Malina, R. M. (2006). Effect of
physical education and activity levels on academic achievement in children. Medicine &
Science in Sports & Exercise, 1515-1519. Retrieved from
wafapower.com/scienceresearch/PE_academic_achievement.pdf
Donnelly, J. E., & Lambourne, K. (2011). Classroom-based physical activity, cognition, and
academic achievement. Preventive Medicine, 52, 36-42. Retrieved from
sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743511000491
Hillman, C. H., Pontifex, M. B., Raine, L. B., Castelli, D. M., Hall, E. E., & Kramer, A. F.
(2009). The effect of acute treadmill walking on cognitive control and academic
achievement in preadolescent children. Neuroscience, 159(3), 1044-1054. Retrieved from
sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306452209001171
McKenzie T. L., & Kahan, D. (2008). Physical activity, public health, and elementary schools.
The Elementary School Journal, 108(3), 171-180. Retrieved from
jstor.org/stable/10.1086/529100
Trudeau, F., & Shephard, R. J. (2008). Physical education, school physical activity, school sports
and academic performance. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical
Activity, 5(10), 1-12. Retrieved from
ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1479-5868-5-10