Take5: Can Play Improve Learning? Try Recess, TikTok, & Rubik's Cubes

This week's Take5 is all about using different forms of "play" to enhance student learning and engagement. From the importance of recess to the value of integrating the latest craze into classroom instruction, this post offers ideas for meeting kids where they are. So Take5! 

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All too often I hear stories of teachers taking away recess minutes as a punishment. I, like so many other teachers, know in my core that it's wrong. If kids are acting out, chances are that what they need is time to run and play. If you withhold it, then you are actually compounding the problem and hurting kids' health and well-being in the process. Apparently, the science is there to prove it. Check out this Edutopia piece.

Spend any time in a secondary classroom, and you'll see kids doing dances they've learned on TikTok. Turns out, the platform is being embraced by some schools as a learning tool. Read High Schools to TikTok; We're Catching Feelings. 

Like TikTok, Rubik's Cubes seem to be making a come-back like it's 1985. I counted three in my classroom today. This article explains how some teachers are using the Rubik's cube to amp up their math instruction.

And speaking of sports, I highly recommend this new Mindshift article by Katrina Schwartz, Why Deeply Diving Into Content Could be the Key to Reading Comprehension. A study revealed that kids who read a passage about baseball (but weren't strong readers) had much higher comprehension scores about the passage than students who were strong readers but didn't have any background knowledge about the sport. Apparently, taking a deep dives into content areas may unlock student success in reading.

Lastly, I found this article entitled Digital Play for a Serious Learning an interesting take on the use of video games and screens both at home and at school. Definitely something to ponder as both a parent and educator. 

What are you using to get kids excited about learning this week? Is play in the mix? We'd love to hear from you!

​-Corey

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You might also like:

• Lessons Learned from Project Based Learning (June 21, 2016)
• The Magical Power of Artifacts (May 10, 2016)