“Last year the space was used as a kindergarten class but this year we were able to set it up as the Action-Based Learning Lab. We also redid the flooring with rolled rubber as an added safety measure,” he said.
Recently, Debbie Fried’s second grade class spent time in the lab. Students moved between among five different stations, alligator crawling on a mat, playing “the line is lava,” tossing yarn balls at the alphabet board to spell out words such as “bag,” doing jumping jacks and toe touches in “Exercise Alley” and performing animal-themed exercises such as waddling like a penguin or galloping like a horse in “Movement Hallway.”
Upbeat music was playing in the background and the students took turns at the different stations in small groups.
“The idea is to increase brain activity by doing physical activity,” Mr. Higle said. “I simply tell the students: we are using our brains and our bodies together to become better learners.”
Mr. Higle plans to add a new element for each station every week.
“I want to make sure that the students have a strong foundation of understanding how each station works. Then, I can build upon that foundation with a variety of supplemental activities or movements,” he said.
Action Based Learning Veggie Boxes and Ramps at Todd Elementary School
Mr. Higle is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to sports in the district. Last year he also taught sixth grade physical education in the middle school. This year he is also teaching health and wellness classes at the high school, as well as coaching varsity, junior varsity and modified sports. This gives him a unique view of many students at various ages throughout the Briarcliff community.
“It is nice to see the different levels of the students across the district,” he said
Action-Based Learning Labs are designed to prepare the brain for learning. When a student walks or crawls in specific patterns, for example, the brain’s ability to encode symbols are increased. Experts say students engaged in Action-Based Learning improve memory, reinforce academic concepts and balance brain chemicals while experiencing whole brain, whole body learning.
“The goal is to provide students with a kinesthetic classroom, which is a fun learning atmosphere where students see themselves progressing,” he said. “Students can see the progress they make throughout the year – every time they come back they will notice improvement. But most importantly, they’re being physically active and having a blast while doing it.”
The lab is open to any teacher after 11 a.m. when Mr. Higle leaves for the high school.
“Teachers can come in with a student who needs to get out some energy. The stations are set up so the students can get right into it,” he said.
“I am very appreciative of the Briarcliff Manor Education Foundation and the supportive administrators, past and present, that played a role in bringing the ABL Lab to the Todd school,” he said.
Choices are endless with the letter learning wall station! Students can use the kinesthetic letter board to review spelling words, work with a partner to spell words (each partner spells the word one letter at a time taking turns), spell answers to questions, spell vocabulary words when given a definition, etc
These concepts aid the brain in encoding the stroke of each symbol of letters and numbers, letter recognition, letter formation, following words from left to right, focusing on reading for longer periods of time.
[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.
The High Five Jungle was designed to challenge the child to cross their physical midline. Simply stated, cross their left hand to the right side of their body (crossing the midline) and crossing their right hand to the left side of their body (again crossing the midline). The children should be standing facing the wall with the midline of their body lined up with the brown line on the chart. The activity is to place their hands starting at the bottom and working their way up the chart on top of the corresponding hand print.
The Cross Lateralization Station focuses on Crossing the Midline and allows for a variety of progressions students can do as they strengthen this critical foundation to learning!
Set Includes includes a set of 4 over/underbars, and commercial padded Roll and Crawl Mat. Progressions begin with the mat only. Students navigate through the activities provided in the Action Based Learning Lab Manual.
All Furniture, Labs and Equipment are manufactured by Action Based Learning