Get Fit! With Math and Lit: A Pilot Program of Physical Activity, Mathematics, and Literacy with Middle Grades Students through Culturally Relevant Pedagogy

Abstract

In an afterschool program at a university literacy center, we piloted the integration of physical activity with multimodal mathematics and literacy exercises. We aimed to incorporate the three tenets of culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) including academic success, cultural competence, and critical consciousness with middle grades participants by utilizing a sports-based youth development model (SBYD), Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR). Participants participated in 30-minute sessions bi-weekly over two months, which included reflective discussions and journaling to begin and end activities, respectively. Participants were invited to suggest activities during sessions and interact cooperatively with facilitators and peers. They also engaged in a focus group toward the end of the pilot program to provide their perspectives and feedback. We detail beginning takeaways from the program initiative and interrogate possible improvements and adaptations for other middle level settings. Finally, we aim to provide educational and community implications related to future implementations of this program or similar ones in diverse contexts.

Keywords

• physical activity
• culturally relevant
• new literacies
• interdisciplinary
• positive youth development