One-Minute Exercises Help Students Refocus
Several District schools have begun doing ‘Just-a-Minute’ (JAM) exercises to refocus energies and promote fitness. The JAMmin’ Program uses daily one-minute exercise routines called the JAMmin’ Minute.
“JAM gets kids and staff moving throughout the day,” explained Becky DeWald, Principal at Pierce Elementary School. “The fitness breaks help students to refocus their attention on their school work. Staff appreciates the opportunity to stretch and refocus, too.”
Teachers can make the fitness breaks part of their classroom schedule; principals can use the fitness minutes as part of daily school announcements or to kick-off to a school assembly. Implementing the JAMmin’ Minute 2 to 4 times per day adds 10-20 minutes a week of physical activity.
The simple exercises can be done either standing or while seated in a chair. A typical JAMmin’ Minute might include 10 repetitions each of jumping in place, heel taps with each foot, twisting with hands on your shoulders, and standing on tip toes for a set count.