One of my very favorite things to do in my free time is exercise. I love to lift weights at the gym, take yoga classes, and run on the beach. I also enjoy playing golf and going for walks. With most of these activities, I can get a great workout while also spending time with my family and friends or listening to music.

Every year in my classroom, I ask my students what types of exercise they enjoy. Swimming, skateboarding, and playing handball and soccer are usually the most popular answers they give me. Many kids also mention activities, such as basketball, martial arts, and tennis.

Exercise is incredibly important for many reasons. First, it’s a great way to stay in shape and get stronger. As I said earlier, it’s also a way to spend time with others and have fun. You probably already knew this. What you might not know is that exercise can also help us do better in school. Physical activity has a powerful effect on our brains and makes it easier for us to pay attention in class and work hard for long periods of time without getting tired.

This is especially true if you’re able to exercise before school. Some of my students ride their bikes in the morning, take walks with their families, or play games on the playground if they get to school early. Many schools are starting to schedule their PE or gym classes at the beginning of the day so that everyone can start their day with physical activity. I think that’s pretty cool.

I'm interested in finding out what you like to do for exercise. If you want to send me your ideas, I’d love to read them. Feel free to contact me.