Taking Action

       Some people study best when sitting, while others learn best when moving around and doing things. It is important to use a variety of teaching methods in order to discover how each student learns best. In our classes we often use actions to teach. This encourages full body participation in the students, boosts energy and blood circulation, and creates an atmosphere of excitement and interest. All these things often radically help students learn and memorize words and sentences. (note to teachers: you must be careful when letting your students be active, sometimes it can get out of hand. It takes practice to discover how creative and active your students can be before they begin to go too far.)

      We use a variety of methods to encourage our students to fully participate. It can be as simple as pointing to the correct answer, all the way to climbing through obstacle courses to learn prepositions or verbs. At times we teach body parts by finding our own arms, ears, or feet. Sometimes we teach numbers by jumping rope. We may teach verbs by acting them out. Or we might set up some sort of obstacle course to teach directions and prepositions.  Helping students (particularly those between 3 and 10 years old) link an action with a new word or concept can help them remember those words better and longer than otherwise. Taking action is a great teaching tool!

     -kidswow.com