share informationIdentify ways to create and use classroom space for classroom physical activity.
Every classroom has a unique size, physical structure, and furniture composition, and some creative rearrangement of items in the room may be possible to increase physical activity. Classroom space has been identified as one of the main challenges for teachers who want to add classroom physical activity because of logistics and safety concerns for students. However, a thoughtfully considered physical arrangement can safely enable the inclusion of physical activity. In addition, most physical activities can be done at or next to a student’s desk. Teachers can determine the types of activities that are most appropriate for their students and the physical space in their classroom.
Teachers can also look for ways to use outdoor space to add physical activity—for example, by discussing academic content with a student or small group of students while walking outdoors. In addition, some schools have dedicated rooms where students can rotate through active learning stations to help them be more engaged in the learning process. It is important for teachers to plan ahead on how best to use their classroom for a given physical activity, especially when they are first starting to use classroom physical activity or adding a new activity.
Citations can be found in Strategies for Classroom Physical Activity in Schools.
Key Activities
Put Strategy 7 into practice through the following activities:
✓ Identify current spaces or areas both in the classroom and on school grounds that could be used for physical activity.
✓ Identify what space requirements are needed to incorporate classroom physical activity.
✓ Identify which available spaces or areas both in the classroom and on school grounds would be the best match for the selected classroom physical activities.
✓ Ask physical education teachers or other physical activity champions to help teachers brainstorm ways to safely arrange existing classroom space for physical activity or find alternative spaces.
✓ Choose classroom physical activities that can be done at or next to students’ desks if space constraints are an issue.
Questions for Consideration
Use the following questions to guide key activities and inspire new ideas:
– What are some ways to create or use existing classroom space for classroom physical activity? For example, are there spaces or areas in the classroom that could be used for lessons that involve physical activity—such as students’ desks, aisles between desks, reading circles, or the center of the classroom?
– What alternative spaces outside of the classroom can be used for classroom physical activity? For example, are there common spaces indoors or outdoors that could be used for lessons that involve physical activity (for example, a multipurpose room, hallway, or green space)?
– Can your school invest in equipment or furniture that promotes movement (for example, balance balls, learning mats, standing desks, or bicycle chairs)?
– Are there school or community partners who could help teachers reimagine their space?
Resources
Classroom Physical Activity Planning Template
This template (to be used for Strategies 4-8) helps teachers identify physical activities that will work in their classrooms. It also helps teachers plan how they will add physical activity to their classrooms as they develop their lesson plans and units. Space considerations are recorded in Column 5.
Classroom Physical Activity Space Planning Template
This template provides space for teachers to sketch out their classroom and envision classroom layouts that will promote or allow physical activity.
Classroom Physical Activity Planning Template (Springboard to Active Schools)
This template (to be used for Strategies 4-8) helps teachers identify physical activities that will work in their classrooms. It also helps teachers plan how they will add physical activity to their classrooms as they develop their lesson plans and units. Space considerations are recorded in Column 5.
Classroom Physical Activity Space Planning Template (Springboard to Active Schools)
This template provides space for teachers to sketch out their classroom and envision classroom layouts that will promote or allow physical activity.
Activity Bursts in the Classroom (ABC) for Fitness: Teacher Manual (ABC for Fitness)
Page 11 – Diagrams of classroom desk set-ups and functional space.
Daily Physical Activity in Schools, Grades 1 to 3 (Ontario Ministry of Education, Guide)
Pages 18-22 – Challenges related to classroom space for physical activity and possible solutions.
FocusWELL: Physical Activity (Chicago Public Schools, Guide)
Page 33 – Tips for managing classroom space and how to transition between physical activity and traditional learning.
InPACT 2017: Compendium of Physical Activities (University of Michigan)
Pages 39-60 – Diagrams of classroom set-ups, active zones, and safety guidelines.