Gr²IT PLUS Mixed Athletics Programs

The Gr ²IT PLUS Mixed Athletics option adds a physical education component to the SEL curriculum. While the Mixed Athletics are separate from the SEL curriculum, each lesson will have a focus point to incorporate principles and concepts from the SEL curriculum. The purpose of the Mixed Athletics option is to subtly reinforce the SEL curriculum and to acknowledge and support the brain-body connection. For young children, brain breaks improve student behavior (Carlson, et al., 2015), increase attention and productivity, as well as provide unstructured practice for social skills (Terada, 2018). The brain-body connection is important for learning in older youth as well. Physical activity is associated with improved academic performance (Raspberry et al., 2011) and various cognitive tasks (Institute of Medicine, 2013). The positive association between physical activity and academic achievement has been established in several studies (see Bass et al., 2013; Wassenaar et al., 2019). Each of the Mixed Athletics options provides a series of 10 short workouts of approximately 15 minutes in length. These lessons can be repeated in whole or part as desired to fill the P.E. period or added to other activities.

Gr2IT PLUS Yoga Program

This physical training portion utilizes yoga poses and practice. A brief optional meditation breathing practice is also included to be used at the end of the yoga practice. This practice emphasizes strength and breathing as energy management. Various options of poses are presented for differing ability levels of students. This ensures that everyone can fully participate. Although many prefer to practice yoga on a mat, gym mats or the base floor are also appropriate for the routines provided, so no new equipment is needed.

Instructors will be taught correct yoga breathing and given verbal cues to explain the importance of flexibility and strength as complementary characteristics in both physical exercise and other areas of life. Research demonstrates that many SEL principles can be taught through yoga and meditation (Butzer et al., 2016).

Gr2IT PLUS Classic Sport Program

This physical training section incorporates classic physical fitness practices into a simple and easy-to-follow program. This format is similar to a typical P.E. class and promotes a variety of movements with increased attention. Workouts may include basic movements, such as squats, lunges, push-ups, planks, and various other body-weight exercises. No special equipment is needed, though workouts may include options to incorporate equipment common in most schools.

Instructors will be given verbal cues to remind students about the relation between physical agility and mental agility as part of strength and character development. These principles extend to several areas of life beyond the gymnasium or athletic field. In fact, SEL principles can be easily taught and reinforced through physical education (Ciotto & Gagnon, 2018) and athletics (Gordon et al., 2016).

Gr2IT PLUS Tae Kwon Do Program

This physical training option incorporates ideals of attention, focus, and mindfulness into basic TaeKwonDo practices. This is not an aggressive program, nor does it require special equipment. With this option, students will learn powerful stances for focus and physical readiness. They will also learn a series of blocks, redirection, and breathing techniques. In the latter part of the program, students will be taught basic strikes and kicks. These will be taught in a regimented and fun format. Students will not practice on one another but will use repetition to target their energy into increased focus on tasks.

Instructors will be given verbal cues to remind students about character development and restraint, as well as how these principles transfer beyond physical education to other areas of their lives. Research indicates that many SEL principles can be taught through martial arts instruction (Milligan et al., 2017).