South Pointe Middle School special education students have begun reading and riding using stationary pedals to improve reading skills. (Photo Courtesy: Kelli Gile)

By Kelli Gile

Walnut – South Pointe Middle School special education teacher, Nakia Brener, was looking for a way to help her 6^th through 8^th Grade students improve their reading skills.  She noticed that they didn’t seem engaged during the 30 minutes of Accelerated Reading each morning.

“They would often pretend to read or do other things,” Brener noted.

A light went off after reading an article shared by her principal in October about integrating kinesthetic learning in the classroom.  A school back east was helping students increase reading scores with exercise bikes used while reading.  This tactile-learning style takes place by students carrying out a physical activity.

Brener was inspired when physical education teachers at her school began having students “read and ride” on workout bikes.  As a former P.E. teacher, she knew movement would help her kids.

“I’m always thinking of ways to keep them alert, awake, and thinking. So I thought I’d try it!” said Brener.

Some schools had actually converted classrooms with bicycle chairs – she knew that would be too expensive.  Brener found a simpler solution – stationary pedals that tuck under the desks. She needed 20 – one for each student.  She wrote grants to Donors Choose and the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation that funded the $800 project.

Many of Brener’s students take an adaptive P.E. class and aren’t able to use a standard bike.  These new tools would provide the same learning benefits and a chance for some additional physical activity.

On Jan.7, the kids opened up the boxes of equipment.

“You’d think it was Christmas here – they loved it!” Brener exclaimed.

For the past two weeks, students have been eager to peddle as they learn. Brener reports “they’ve been peddling away and reading!”  Each student peddles at a different pace – some slow and deliberate, others steady, fast, or even backwards.

“I like it because it keeps my mind going,” said 7^th Grader, Tyler Lewis.  “And I feel like I’m getting fit!”

Each day, the specialized academic instruction class begins with 15 minutes of Accelerated Reading (AR) reading followed by 15 minutes of the computerized Language Live component for phonics and reading foundations.

“We haven’t had them long enough to see how they improve reading, but I will say the kids are much more likely to be reading. And they know they can only use the foot pedals if they’re reading,” Brener said.

When Brener wanted to gage how much her students were reading she asked how many pages they completed after the timed reading.  They all reported over 25 pages.

“I think that’s the most you’ve read in 15 minutes, ever!” she exclaimed.

“South Pointe is really a good school for integrating movement and learning!” Brener added.

“It is just another amazing example of doing whatever it takes to ensure the success of our students!” said Principal Susan Arzola.