Not everyone learns the same way.
That presents a challenge to teachers who try to tailor their instruction to reach the most kids.
There's something new in the classroom in Hamilton county---using physical movement to open the doors to a child's mind.
SUZY KOONTZ "So Math and Movement infuses physical activity throughout the day. And it channels their energy into the concepts they need to learn anyway."
Students are wide awake when they are involved in physical activity.
They can be inattentive and and uninterested just sitting in class, but Suzy Koontz came up with a new program that was demonstrated at Red Bank Elementary.
SUZY KOONTZ, FOUNDER, MATH & MOVEMENT "It makes sense because kids need more exercise. Right now kids are exercising their thumbs, they're sitting by the television ...We have a sedentary lifestyle...now more than ever, we need to have more physical activity throughout the day. "
AMY KUEHNEL, TEACHER, RED BANK ELEMENTARY "Teachers were trying to figure out, why are they not learning to skip by twos, by threes..we're circling these patterns..we're doing this with our fingers...but they are not large enough motions..these mats we're getting..they are using their entire bodies while they are saying those numbers.
And it works.
HALEY BROWN, PRINCIPAL, RED BANK ELEMENTARY "In just 10 minutes a day, these activities are having a powerful impact on the learning of our students."
This program is promoted by Coordinated School Health and it was funded by one of 58 grants from Unum.
CATHY BARRETT, UNUM "We believe its very important..and education is one of our core focus areas..as for our community outreach program."
The demonstration won over veteran teachers as well as the very receptive youngsters who are doing it daily.
AMY KUEHNEL, TEACHER "It was awesome..it was a fun professional development ..It was a great morning."
The Math and Movement program is only one of many innovative programs made possible by the UNUM grant.
UNUM funded 58 grants for a total of 50-thousand dollars.
