Action Based Learning™ Lab
Overview

Students engaged in Action Based Learning ™ improve memory retention, reinforce academic concepts, balance brain chemicals while experiencing whole-brain, whole-body learning. Educational research suggests that about 85% of school age students are predominantly kinesthetic learners. If teachers know that students need to move to learn, then what does that look like in the classroom? How can we teach reading, math, social studies, and science while standing up? That’s Action Based Learning! Jean Blaydes Madigan has developed kinesthetic teaching strategies that teach specific academic concepts in a teacher friendly, time efficient, fun way that has proven results for a positive learning experience.

The concepts in the Action Based Learning™ Lab are based on the brain research that supports the link of movement and physical activity to increased academic performance. The Action Based Learning™ Lab targets the young developing brain ages 4-7 years. However, the Action Based Learning™ Lab benefits all students for remediation and enrichment.

Brain science strongly supports the link of movement to learning. The brain and body's movement and learning systems are interdependent and interactive. For example, motor development provides the framework that the brain uses to sequence the patterns needed for academic concepts. The bodys vestibular system controls balance and spatial awareness and facilitates the students ability to place words and letters on a page. When a student walks or crawls on the ABC Pathways mat in specific patterns, the brain's ability to encode symbols is increased. The four visuals fields needed for eye tracking is strengthened. Proper development and remediation of these systems are critical to a childs' ability to learn.

The Action Based Learning™ Lab is a series of progressions and stations, each designed to prepare the brain for input and processing. Sensory components of balance, coordination, spatial awareness, directionality, and visual literacy are developed as the child rolls, creeps, crawls, spins, twirls, bounces, balances, walks, jumps, juggles, and supports his/her own weight in space. Levels of physical fitness are increased and academic concepts are reinforced. As students move from station to station with a partner or partners, their self awareness, self esteem, and social skills are enhanced. Each progression and station allows the student to experience challenge, feedback, and physical activity, three components that are necessary for optimal brain function.

The Action Based Learning ™ Lab is so unique that some of the equipment is patented. The ABC Pathways Mat comprises one of the Stations and is used to help encode the symbols of the alphabet, practice letter sounds, recognize numbers, identify colors, recognize shapes, and teach clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. Physical Education standards include spatial awareness, motor skill development, eye-hand and eye foot coordination, upper and lower body strength, cardiovascular strength and endurance, rhythm competency, and social interaction. Other stations have common equipment found in most schools: bean bags, scooter boards, balls, hula hoops, juggling scarves, streamers, gym mats, monkey bars, and chin up bars.

The unique, innovative Action Based Learning™ Lab is research-based, brain and body compatible, kid-friendly, teacher-friendly, and time efficient. The comprehensive program will include a curriculum based on national academic standards for Pre-K through second grade levels. Explanations, directions, supporting research, videos, DVDs, music CDs, equipment lists, and training support are included in the program package.

The Action Based Learning™ Lab is a motor development program based on the brain research that supports how movement improves brain function. The concepts in the ABL Lab meet the Physical Education National Standards and the Action Academic Content Cards used with the Learning Ladders meet the National Standards in reading and math. Although the underlying concepts remain constant, the program’s design is flexible and can be modified or adapted to meet the needs of every student. The Lab may be used in a physical education setting or in a classroom or in any other designated space. The Lab may be used in whole or in part. With the exception of the ABC Pathways Mat , the Action Based Learning™ Ladder , the Action Based Learning™ First Steps Ladder and the Action Academic Content Cards , the equipment used is common to most Physical Education programs. Substitutions for the PE equipment may be made as needed.

THE ABOVE CONCEPTS ARE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL IN THE BOOK, THINKING ON YOUR FEET BY Jean Blaydes Madigan

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.ACTIONBASEDLEARNING.COM