'Count it out': Osceola Elementary hosts national Math and Movement program

Students hopped, read and counted their way to academic success.

By Jarleene Almenas
| 11:00 a.m. November 30, 2018

Scout Clements jumps while reading letters during Osceola Elementary School's Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Academic Intervention Teacher Heather Smyth talks to the many parents and students in attendance at Osceola Elementary School's Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Math & Movement founder Suzy Koontz, of New York, gets the kids excited during Osceola Elementary School's Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Osceola Elementary students warm up before taking on the activities at Osceola Elementary School's Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Jacob Learn participates in one of the math activities during Osceola Elementary School's Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Chase Pavelka counts as he jumps during Osceola Elementary School's Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Lily Thompson and her family complete a math activity together during Osceola Elementary School's Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Tabitha Allen coaches her son, James, during Osceola Elementary School's Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Aidan Clements is ready to help other students with reading activities during Osceola Elementary School's Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Aria Parsons practices reading during Osceola Elementary School's Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Janielle Rudisill stares intently at her workbook during Osceola Elementary School's Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Ezra Harrison, Elli Harrison, McKenzie Manhart and Aneela Bien-Aime are ready to learn during Osceola Elementary School's Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

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Osceola Elementary School invited students and their parents to discover a different take on learning at its Math and Movement Family Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 29.

Math and Movement is a national program that combines reading, math and physical activity for a multi-sensory approach to learning. New York program founder Suzy Koontz attend Osceola's event, kicking things off with a creative warm up for the kids as their parents watched.

Throughout the night, students participated in a variety of math and reading stations, all with their designated floor mat and banners. They hopped, walked, crawled, danced, read and counted to complete the lessons. According to a Math and Movement press release, the Math and Movement program is based on research that shows moving while learning develops muscle memory, and, this type of activity energizes both students and their teachers while promoting healthy, active lifestyles.