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Integrating Movement Into Math Lessons For Better Learning

Instruction and Lesson Plans

Research is clear...learning through movement is an effective way to get students to attend, engage and learn. Movement can be added to most any lesson. In my class math is the subject dreaded the most, so I try to add movement to most of our math lessons. Here is a SIMPLE way to add movement that doesn't require extra materials or prep.
Research is clear…learning through movement is an effective way to get students to attend, engage and learn.  Click here for a good article on how movement effects the brain.

Movement can be added to most any lesson. In my class math is the subject dreaded the most, so I try to add movement to most of our math lessons. Here is a SIMPLE way to add movement that doesn’t require extra materials or prep. Win!!


Research is clear...learning through movement is an effective way to get students to attend, engage and learn. Movement can be added to most any lesson. In my class math is the subject dreaded the most, so I try to add movement to most of our math lessons. Here is a SIMPLE way to add movement that doesn't require extra materials or prep.

For this simple activity, all I needed was a variety of math visuals that I already have (tens frames, numbers, etc.) To begin, we all stood on one side of the classroom. Next, I placed a few numbers on the floor on the other side of the room. One at a time students were given a number or a tens frame card. 

Once they identified the number associated with the card, they were told a motor activity to do all the way across the classroom. In the picture above one student is doing the bear walk and the other is jumping with 2 feet together. Both motor movements give students good proprioceptive input as well as creating another opportunity to practice bilateral movements. 
More than one student can take a turn at the same time which decreases wait time. You choose the movement for each student so it is easy to individualize based on student’s motor abilities and needs. Ask the physical therapist that that works with your program for suggestions tailored to yours students. 

Here are some of the movements we do:

*Bear walk

*Jumping with 2 feet together

*Crab walk

*Duck walk

*Skip

*Giant steps

*Side step

*Frog jump



Once the student gets to the other side of the room, we worked on sequencing numbers and matching tens frames to numbers.

Research is clear...learning through movement is an effective way to get students to attend, engage and learn. Movement can be added to most any lesson. In my class math is the subject dreaded the most, so I try to add movement to most of our math lessons. Here is a SIMPLE way to add movement that doesn't require extra materials or prep.


Not only does the movement help students engage, it is also FUN! These are the perfect lessons for students who dislike math or have trouble with more traditional math lessons. 
Want to learn more ideas and tips for getting students moving? Read: Put research Into Practice By Building In Movement.

Research is clear...learning through movement is an effective way to get students to attend, engage and learn. Movement can be added to most any lesson. In my class math is the subject dreaded the most, so I try to add movement to most of our math lessons. Here is a SIMPLE way to add movement that doesn't require extra materials or prep.
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