As middle schoolers, we sit a majority of the day. This isn’t how it’s suppose to be.

Mr Gutisch, the Physical and Health Education Department Chair said, ” From an evolutionary standpoint, our bodies are designed to move.” Humans were created to move because it triggers brain activity to retain information, improve memory, and lower stress levels. Every student at Bedford knows, school is a primary stress machine. Instead of creating an uncomfortable environment for students who struggle to keep still, there is a solution which is called an active learning or kinesthetic classroom .

Mr. Gutisch believes, “Active classrooms, when done in an appropriate, timely and thoughtful manner provide an opportunity for students to learn in an optimal environment.”

Active learning benefits students academically. Don’t you remember when Mr. Savage made students get out of their seats and start class with one of the brain body games? It might of seemed annoying at the time, but it turns out there is a reason behind this.

Mr. Savage, a health teachers at Bedford Middle school, believes, “Active learning environment allows students to focus and retain information.” It provides students a different opportunity to think, talk, and process the material instead of their usual class of static instruction and taking notes.

Not only do kinesthetic classrooms benefit students academically, but also socially. These types of activities build students social skills as they are forced to have conversations with other students. They are able to build self-esteem and create a sense of community in the classroom through student-student and teacher-student interaction.

The active classroom additions don’t have to be big. In fact, many classrooms at Bedford currently have applied kinesthetic equipment. For instance, Mr. Savage’s room already has a balance pod that students are allowed to use during class time. Although, some students find the idea of getting up in the middle of class to be distracting, many students struggle with keeping still throughout class time. This would be the perfect option for boys or girls who enjoy moving around while learning.

Next year, Bedford plans to create a kinesthetic area in the health classrooms for students who would prefer to move around while the teacher is teaching. Equipment such as exercise bikes and resistance bands will be put in the health classrooms. Make sure to look out for new kinesthetic equipment that will allow students to move while learning new concepts and information at Bedford.

The idea of kinesthetic classrooms are increasing; however they will become the known, said Savage. Having students move through the school day will also encourage students to collaborate with each other. It makes students more enthusiastic and teachers perception on learning.