Message from jreynolds

[Anonymous]

I think that is a good idea too. Kinesthetic activities are bery good at helping the students to remember what they have learned.

I took a seminar at the History Conference that was about teaching geography with kinesthetics. Here are some of the ideas I got from the conference:

What you were talking about reminded me of how she described teaching them countries. She would stand in front of the class but face the same way. Then she would say put your arms and up and draw and square! That's Canada. Now put your arms a little lower, and draw a rectangle. That's America. Now down and to the left, draw an upside down triangle. That is Mexico! And that so on. She would have a template on the wall to remind her and the kids... and it would also be a visual to aid their kinesthetic.

Teaching kids North South East and West can be difficult. They often confuse maps and real life... Is North Up? Or is it always to my right? So one idea is to label the 8th grade lawn or the PE field or even the walls on your classroom. After they are labeled which way is which, have the students listen to some music with a good beat... not too loud. They person had a great disc with African inspired music. There would be lyrics, then music, then lyrics, etc. When the lyrics were on, dance with the kids. When the music is on, tell them "Everybody North!". Then everyone walks four steps North to the beat. Then you can randomly call out whichever direction you would like each time. It gives them practice and eventually they remember. Then you can have them do it outside or somewhere else to keep the knowledge that N, S, E, and W don't change. You can also make a race for them like the game "four corners" using N, S, E, and W.

The younger the kids, the more they like it. Sometimes the older ones will surprise you too. I think that the 8th graders that I have this year would not do it. They are too easily embarrassed. However, the 6th graders I had last year, that will be 8th graders next year, would totally do it. They are still hyper as 7th graders. So I think it depends on your group.

I hope some of that was helpful. Have fun!