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Movement enhances learning at Powhatan Elementary

Posted on: February 7, 2020

Did you know – adding movement during learning can actually help students process information, remember and retrieve it more effectively, and even increase the number of brain cells? Movement also helps young bodies burn off excess energy, increase metabolism, and work through challenging emotions. In general, movement + learning is good for the mind, the body, and the soul, as Powhatan Elementary is discovering first-hand.

The Lu Interactive Playground, recently installed at Powhatan, helps integrate movement in a wide variety of learning situations. The system creates an immersive and interactive space featuring a variety of compelling activities, tools and engaging experiences. ”Our goal was to focus attention, increase movement, and allow our Physical Education teacher and other teachers to work across all subjects while promoting movement and exercise,” explains Powhatan Principal Zac Housley. “While still new, students have already been able to work on math problems, spelling, matching, puzzles, plus many physical skills and movements.”

The Lu also allows the Physical Education teacher to organize and structure a warmup, the lesson, and a cooldown more effectively, using a variety of different, immersive apps. After a five-minute warmup, one student stated, “I’m actually sweating already and this is really fun.”

The Lu projects onto the gym wall, allowing students to interact via balls, touch, and other methods. It increases interest and engagement, encouraging students to challenge themselves to hit the target or exceed their previous time. By integrating other lessons – such as reading, math, telling time, foreign languages, and even meditation – students can complete a variety of lessons while expending energy and reaping the benefits movement brings to their brains and bodies.

Mr. Housley is excited about the possibilities the Lu offers: “We’ll be exploring different applications as we learn more about how our students respond and where it is most successful. We are extremely thankful to Superintendent Caldwell and the Switzerland Board of Education for allowing us to add this unique, powerful tool to our curriculum.”