The Tikkun Project
Movement as a Medicine (Investigating Tools)
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Movement as a Medicine (Investigating Tools)
Goals
- Health & Phys-Ed (A1.2): Recognize how their choices and actions affect themselves and others.
Health & Phys-Ed (B1.1): Participate in a variety of physical activities that promote wellbeing.
Thinking and Learning Skills
- Thinking (Transfer): To what extent can the student explain why a certain movement is "wise" for a specific zone?
Self-Management (Organization): How well does the student manage their physical energy when moving from a "high energy" station back to a "calming" station?
Research (Data Analysis): Can the student identify which movement had the biggest positive effect on their "Brain" rating?
Concept
Lesson Outline
The Rating Scale Check-In. Remind students of our definition of feeling well (Body good, Brain calm, Heart happy). Ask them to rate their Body, Brain, and Heart right now using the 1–5 scale.
(Movement Lab): Explain that different movements act like "medicine" for different zones.
Show a picture of "Wall Pushes." Ask: "What do we think this will do to our energy? Does it puzzle you why a slow stretch might help a fast heart?" [Source: PZ Think-Puzzle-Explore]
Students rotate through three stations:
High Energy (Red/Yellow): Wall pushes or heavy lifting (moving a stack of books).
Low Energy (Blue): Brisk walking or star jumps.
Calming (Green): Slow breathing with "arm reaches."
Using Criteria for a Wise Choice.
Challenge: "If I am in the Blue Zone (tired), is a 'Wall Push' a wise choice? Why or why not?" (Criteria: Does it help the body feel good and the brain feel calm/ready?) The Reasoned Judgment (TC2):
Critical Challenge Note
This lesson builds Agency. It teaches students that they aren't "stuck" in a zone; they have a "Movement Toolbox" they can use to repair their own state of being.
Assessment
Can students distinguish between how their Body feels (e.g., tired) vs. their Heart (e.g., happy because they are at school)?
After each station, ask: "Did your 'Brain Rating' go up or down?"