Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should this be done daily?
This is a question that depends on your students. PLS has found value in differentiating the instruction to meet the needs of all of students. The use of this technique should depend upon the learning styles found in the classroom, and instruction should be geared at meeting all the students varied instruction needs.
Q: Is this difficult to implement?
Absolutely not! It is a fun, creative, and interactive way to teach. You will be surprised at the energy level that it brings to both the students and to you! Some teachers that like a formal, tightly controlled classroom with no noise may be afraid of losing control with this technique. Indeed, what you will find it that you get more from your students by creating participation and movement. It may change they way you view what it means to teach.
Q: Does this cause more discipline issues?
This is a common fear. Surprisingly discipline issues go down. The students that are you main discipline problems are most likely kinesthetic learners – needing movement. When they get a chance to be engaged, they are less likely to cause problems. Just like any classroom management plan, the expectations for how they are to behave during the activities need to be clearly defined.
Q: What should teachers expect when they attend the "Gotta Move" workshop?
Several teachers across the U.S. have commented that this is the most useable and fun workshop they have ever attended. Time goes by quickly because the workshop models the process. The teachers will be up and experiencing the process of using movement in learning new content. This causes teachers to have a connection and experience with the process so they will want to use these ideas. Teachers can expect to leave with concrete examples that they can take and use in their classrooms immediately!
Q: In a climate of high stakes testing, how do you justify taking time out to teach using movement?
This is a great question. I have heard people say that they would do this but they can not afford to in today's high accountability environment. The truth is that you can't afford NOT to! Schools that have implemented this have seen a large jump in the test scores of their lowest achieving students. Not only does this make the overall test scores of a school go up, but it saves money as well. When material is taught in a way that students learn it best the first time, there is less need for remediation that has become so common and expensive in schools today.