Q: My high school math students are struggling to stay in their seats. Do you have advice on bringing more movement into my classroom?
- Signed, A high school math teacher
A: Many educators face the challenge of keeping students engaged and focused, especially in a subject like math, which is sometimes perceived as dry or overly rigid. Fortunately, there are numerous strategies to infuse movement into your classroom, helping to improve focus, energy levels, and overall learning outcomes. And for others reading this column, most of these strategies can be used in any classroom with restless students.
Before discussing specific strategies, it’s essential to understand why movement is beneficial in a learning environment. Research indicates that physical activity can enhance cognitive function, improve mood, and increase attention spans. For high school students, who often have a lot of energy and a natural inclination toward movement, incorporating physical activity into lessons can lead to a more dynamic and engaging classroom environment.
Incorporate movement breaks
One of the simplest ways to bring movement into your classroom is through short, structured movement breaks. These breaks can last anywhere from one to five minutes and involve stretching, jumping jacks, or even a quick dance. For example, set a timer for every 20-30 minutes of instruction and encourage students to stand up, stretch, or do a quick physical activity. This allows them to release pent-up energy and return to their seats more focused. In Peter Liljedahl’s book Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, he shares how getting students out of their seats and doing work on whiteboards increases participation and movement. If you haven’t read this book, I strongly recommend it. He does have other books that aren’t math-specific, but I found even the math-specific one useful for humanities classes as well. Kappan interviewed Liljedahl in the December 2024 issue.
Math stations
Set up math stations to transform your classroom into a dynamic learning environment. Each station can focus on a different concept or skill, and students can rotate between them. You can incorporate activities that require students to stand, move around, and collaborate with their peers. For example, one station might solve problems on a whiteboard, while another could involve hands-on activities using manipulatives. This keeps students engaged and allows them to learn from each other. In other content areas, stations are a great way also to incorporate small-group learning and provide opportunities for more personalized learning. Like Dr. Catlin Tucker, my book Hacking Learning Centers shares many ways to use stations.
Interactive games
Gamifying lessons is an effective way to encourage movement while reinforcing math concepts. Use games that require physical activity, such as “Math Relay Races,” which has students solving problems at different stations around the classroom. You also can incorporate technology by using math-related apps that require students to move around to answer questions or complete challenges. This approach makes learning fun and fosters a healthy competitive spirit. Another great resource for gamification is Michael Matera. He shares lots of novel ideas for leveling up gamification to engage students.
Incorporate technology with movement
Consider using technology to get students moving. For instance, you can use tablets or smartphones to create QR code scavenger hunts related to math concepts. Place QR codes around the classroom or school, and have students move from one code to another to solve problems or gather information. This method combines physical activity with technology, making learning more engaging and interactive. I’ve seen this done with no tech, where teachers set up escape room-style challenges that send the students all over the classroom. Learners engage with each other as they problem-solve across each challenge until they find their way back to the specific solution.
Group activities
Encourage collaboration through group activities that involve movement. For example, you can have students work in pairs to solve problems on opposite sides of the room and then come together to discuss their answers. Alternatively, you can set up group challenges where students must move to different areas of the room based on their answers to questions. This approach keeps students active and promotes teamwork and communication skills. This is the low-tech riff on the above suggestion.
Physical math challenges
Integrate physical challenges related to math concepts into your lessons. For instance, you could create a “Math Olympics” day. Students compete in various math-related physical challenges, such as estimating distances or measuring angles using a protractor in a relay race. Such activities can help students see the practical applications of math in real-life scenarios while getting them out of their seats.
Flexible seating arrangements
Consider rearranging your classroom to promote movement. Flexible seating options, such as standing desks, exercise balls, or floor cushions, allow students to choose how to sit or stand while learning. This can lead to increased comfort and focus. Allowing students to move around the classroom during certain activities can create a more dynamic atmosphere. Bob Dillon writes about learning environments with flexible seating and workstations. Learn more about his research and work here.
Incorporate real-world movement
Lastly, consider incorporating real-world scenarios that require movement. For example, you could take your students outside for a lesson on geometry by measuring the dimensions of various objects on the school grounds. Alternatively, you could create a math “field trip” where students must solve problems related to their environment, such as calculating the perimeter of a playground or the area of a sports field. Students enjoy the change in scenery.
Incorporating movement into your high school math classroom doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By implementing these strategies, you can create a more engaging and dynamic learning environment that meets the needs of your students. Remember, the goal is to foster a love for learning while helping students develop essential math skills. With creativity and flexibility, you can transform your classroom into a space where students are eager to participate and learn.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Starr Sackstein
Starr Sackstein is the Massachusetts state coordinator for PDK’s Educators Rising program, COO of Mastery Portfolio, an education consultant, instructional coach, and author. She was a high school English and journalism teacher and school district curriculum leader. She is the author of more than 15 educational books, including Hacking Assessment (Times 10, 2015), Making an Impact Outside of the Classroom (Routledge, 2024), and Actionable Assessment (Routledge, 2026).
Visit their website at: https://www.mssackstein.com/
