A Look Inside Grove Early Childhood Center's Action Based Learning Lab with Facilitator Linda Adams

9 February, 2023 Linda Adams and ABL Team

“Exercise grows brain cells.” “Strong balance, strong memory”

Learning looks a lot different this past year for students at Grove Early Childhood Center, in Grove Oklahoma. There’s an air of excitement throughout the school, as pre-k and kindergarteners are learning and moving in their new Action Based Learning Labs.

Julie Bloss, principal of Grove Early Childhood Center introduced Action Based Learning, an initiative, designed to focus on the whole child - by supporting health and wellness, academics, and the overall well being of their students. The initiative will impact over 300 pre-k and kindergarten students this year alone.

When deciding who the “go-to” champion for this initiative would be, Linda Adams was a natural fit. Adams, an early childhood educator of over 17 years, is a passionate believer in letting kids move, and has seen firsthand how focusing on foundational skills helps development and cognition.

ABL Lab Facilitator, Linda Adams awarded Teacher of the year

"I have seen first-hand how simple tasks can improve brain function and self confidence. I saw it with my daughter years ago when she did eye therapy and now with students in the ABL Lab."

“I first learned about this concept of rewiring the brain, from a PT/OT perspective. My daughter had an eye tracking problem in elementary school. We went through nine months of intense therapy to improve her vision. She was given new activities weekly and we saw a major improvement, in both her confidence and academic abilities. I recognize now that there were lots of crossing the midline, eye-hand, and eye tracking activities.”

As the current ABL Lab facilitator, Adams has played an integral role in the implementation of the lab, and recently won the 2022 District Teacher of the Year and 2022 Site Teacher of the Year. We sat down with Mrs. Adams, to discuss her journey, how she got started with this initiative, and what the future looks like for their early childhood center.

Tell us about your school and how you got started

Grove Early Childhood Center is a public school for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. We are the largest rural school district in the tri county area, serving a range of demographics including a high number of students that qualify for free or reduced lunches. Grove also serves a high number of Native American students. One of the goals of the school is to serve historically underserved communities by offering services beyond the classroom, in various areas including partnerships with local health facilities, mental health services for students that need additional support, and a districtwide character program, where students are taught and rewarded to be respectful, responsible, and safe.

“I first learned about ABL from my principal. She sent me some information and wanted to know what I thought. After reading over the material, I was fully on board with getting this program in our school. My principal was able to secure funding through our local school foundation. In January we received our lab equipment and shortly after, I had the lab operational.”

What is an Action Based Learning Lab, and what does it look like in your school?

The Action Based Learning Lab is based on the science that shows the connection between the brain and body. Developmental skills such as balance, motor skills, coordination, cardiovascular fitness, mindfulness (and 6 other key areas) are shown to have a direct impact on cognitive development, academic performance, and overall well being.

We practice these concepts in all areas of our school in various ways. We have been able to offer alternative seating in the PK and kindergarten classrooms. Many of the classroom teachers have acquired some flexible seating options, and we allow kids to move whenever possible. For example, I start every STEM and PE class with a brain boost.

We are fortunate to have the Lab, as it utilized by all of our PK and Kindergarten students. We introduced the Lab as part of the specials rotation. Each student visits the lab at least 1 time per week for a 45 minute block of time.

How do you manage the schedule and logistics of the lab? Discuss any hurdles you overcame in the beginning:

Training

There are various courses for lab management and getting started in the lab. I wanted to take as many as I could before we got started, but I was determined to get the lab opened quickly, so I was strategic about how I took my courses. The key to the lab is understanding the 12 Foundations of Learning Readiness so I started with this course. Once I had these concepts down, it was easy to choose activities I wanted to work on.

Scheduling

It was really important to make sure students visited the lab weekly, so it took some advocating to work this into the schedule. Once I showed how it could work if we put it into the specials rotation, my principal was on board.

Number of Stations

I have 20+ students in each class period. To accommodate those class sizes, I have at least ten stations set up. That keeps the groups at 2-3.

Class Management

Regardless of the class, all students enter the lab the same way. At ABL home base, I have ten different colored dots where students sit. Each color has a #1 and #2 dot. As the students enter the classroom, I assign each student with a color and number. Our small students can become very emotional if things do not go their way. If I group the students together, it eliminates emotional outbursts. I assign each pair or group to a station.

Accommodating different grade levels

I adjust the activities at each station as needed to add challenge or simplify for our little learners. I have found that some tasks may be too difficult for the pre-k students, but kindergarten students are able to do them.

I like to use picture cue cards at some stations, especially for some of our little learners who sometimes need a reminder of what they are supposed to do at that station.

How has ABL/Kinesthetic classrooms made an impact on your students, and on your school?

The lab has helped with behavior problems. Students that typically struggle in the classroom look forward to going to the ABL lab. (I am so proud to see my students excited about learning and school!)

I see them showing pride in being able to accomplish tasks. They tend to work better with others as they rotate through the stations. I think they like the structure and routines that are expected in the lab.

One kindergarten student that comes to mind, started here last semester. He was very timid, soft spoken, and didn’t seem to have much self confidence. His first visits to the lab took lots of encouragement to get him engaged. I was usually met with “I can’t do this.” One day he was at the Monkey See Bean Bag Toss. He was struggling and not able to get a bag in the hole. I instructed him to keep his eye on the hole and toss it underhanded. He made it! His face lit up with excitement! From that point, he tried harder and was more successful in completing tasks at the other stations. I noticed he tried harder in the STEM lab to meet challenges. Accomplishing that simple bag toss gave him self confidence.

On a personal level, Action Based Learning methodology has helped me grow as an individual and a teacher. I am thankful to be the facilitator. I have been interested in brain development for quite some time so I am excited to be able to offer our students the opportunity to improve academics by improving their brain body connection.

What would you say to someone who says they don’t have enough time to implement this into their school day?

If a teacher or administrator believes there is no time for Action Based Learning, my advice is to think outside of the box! Teachers can become creatures of habit. They think, “This works, so if it’s not broke don’t fix it.” I would suggest that they try just one thing.

Start out simple, do a brain boost activity. They would be replacing certain activities with new ones not adding to their day. The brain research alone should be able to get “buy-in.” What admin wouldn’t want to improve brain development?

Research Action Based Learning and get familiar with the concepts. If possible visit a school and see it in action. We host visitors from surrounding schools that want to see ABL “in action”.

As far as funding goes, I recommend applying for grants. We were fortunate enough to receive a grant that funded our entire lab!

"I love hearing success stories from teachers and parents. Students point out that they are growing brain cells when they are over active. Love it!"

Set up a Needs Assessment Call to see how ABL can be implemented at your school

Learn more about ABL teaching methodology on www.ablacademy.com

View School Spotlights Here

807 VEGGIE BOXES SET

[Pre K - 3rd Grade] Each box is a different height, size, and is uniquely designed to accommodate several attachments and can easily be arranged in multiple configurations to create an endless array of obstacle courses. Boxes include graphics of oranges, lettuce, and strawberries. Direct from ABL Manufacturer, box and bridges are pre-assembled.

Kinesthetic Math and Telephone Mat

Learn numbers kinesthetically! Use numbers 0-9 to learn cardinal direction, and simple math equations. Now made with 100% polyvinyl G-Floor vinyl mats. Can be used both inside and outdoors.

Monkey See Eye Tracker Station

Includes Bean Bags

Our Monkey-See eye tracker station helps to increase visual stamina for test taking. There are muscles in our eyes that focus near and far and muscles that allow us to track left to right and up and down. These muscles should be strengthened in the same way as our arm muscles. Eye tracking exercises strengthen the muscles in our eyes to increase the length of time that eyes can focus on reading.

A Look Inside Grove Early Childhood Center's Action Based Learning Lab with Facilitator Linda Adams

“Exercise grows brain cells.” “Strong balance, strong memory”

Learning looks a lot different this past year for students at Grove Early Childhood Center, in Grove Oklahoma. There’s an air of excitement throughout the school, as pre-k and kindergarteners are learning and moving in their new Action Based Learning Labs.

"I have seen first-hand how simple tasks can improve brain function and self confidence. I saw it with my daughter years ago when she did eye therapy and now with students in the ABL Lab."

Tell us about your school and how you got started

What is an Action Based Learning Lab, and what does it look like in your school?

How do you manage the schedule and logistics of the lab? Discuss any hurdles you overcame in the beginning:

How has ABL/Kinesthetic classrooms made an impact on your students, and on your school?

What would you say to someone who says they don’t have enough time to implement this into their school day?

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A Look Inside Grove Early Childhood Center's Action Based Learning Lab with Facilitator Linda Adams

“Exercise grows brain cells.” “Strong balance, strong memory”

Learning looks a lot different this past year for students at Grove Early Childhood Center, in Grove Oklahoma. There’s an air of excitement throughout the school, as pre-k and kindergarteners are learning and moving in their new Action Based Learning Labs.

"I have seen first-hand how simple tasks can improve brain function and self confidence. I saw it with my daughter years ago when she did eye therapy and now with students in the ABL Lab."

Tell us about your school and how you got started

What is an Action Based Learning Lab, and what does it look like in your school?

How do you manage the schedule and logistics of the lab? Discuss any hurdles you overcame in the beginning:

How has ABL/Kinesthetic classrooms made an impact on your students, and on your school?

What would you say to someone who says they don’t have enough time to implement this into their school day?

ABL TOP PICKS

All Furniture, Labs and Equipment are manufactured by Action Based Learning

Latest from the Newsroom

Click "Edit Contents" and start uploading your learning material.

Select a course first to display its contents.

No available contents for

Registro y Pago

Registro

Producto

There are no free, paid or coming soon courses in your school yet.Why don't you create one?

Oops, your school's owner is working hard preparing the courses for you.

Oops, you haven't created any courses yet.

No blog posts found in your blog. Why don't you create one?

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