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12/1/16

Using their noodles in Jennings; Program promotes physical activity, mindfulness

JENNINGS — Students in Jill Gale’s fourth-grade class at Jennings Elementary School aren’t just sitting in their desks anymore.

Running, jumping and dancing have become a regular part of their classroom routine.

The active classroom is part of the GoNoodle Plus program implemented in Jeff Davis Parish schools this fall as part of a partnership with the Christus St. Patrick Foundation and the Children’s Miracle Network. The program is also offered in Calcasieu Parish.

“GoNoodle is an online suite of interactive movement videos that helps teachers motivate and engage students with three- to five-minute, moderate to vigorous exercises they can perform next to their desks,” local Children’s Miracle Network Director Cara Wyland said.

The goal of the program is to improve classroom performance and behavior while making learning fun and getting students more physically active, Jeff Davis Parish School Superintendent Brian Lejeune said.

The short videos use music, dancing, jokes, quizzes and virtual field trips to increase physical activity and learning, while helping students stay focused and improve their health.

“It takes a lot more today to get students engaged and get them involved in the classroom,” Lejeune said.

Curriculum Supervisor Mona Miller said it allows teachers to reinforce what students are learning. Most of the programs can be an extension of what is being taught in the classroom, with many activities focusing on math, reading, spelling and social studies.

“Studies have shown that you can learn more by moving around and being active,” Miller said.

Fourth-grader J.P. Broussard said GoNoodle is a fun way to “wake up” in the morning. “It wakes me up in the morning when I am tired, especially when I dance,” Broussard said.

Classmate Ryleigh Crochet said GoNoodle helps students exercise and get the body moving while learning in the classroom. Davian Edwards said GoNoodle gets his brain moving and helps him do his math work.

GoNoodle is especially helpful in making math fun for students, Gale said.

“Math can be hard and frustrating for some, so when you can take a break and do something fun together, it helps,” she said. “It also helps us all calm down and relax.”

Loria Cummings, a third-grade math teacher at Jennings Elementary, uses the program as an assessment of what students are learning and where they still need a little extra help.

Counselor Jacqueline Broussard has incorporated GoNoodle into group and individual counseling sessions with students.

“I like the videos because they are calming and can be used to help students who need to work on, or change, their behavior,” she said. “It’s also used as an incentive to improve behavior.”

Many of the students and their families also use GoNoodle at home.



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