Classroom Kinesthetic Activities for Teaching Introductory Physics

Kinesthetic activities show promise for improving student understanding of content and can be a fun way to break up the normal class period. In the fall of 2024, we developed several short kinesthetic reinforcement exercises to build students’ embodied experiences of physics. We then used these activities in an algebra-based introductory college physics course. Each activity was usually about 10 minutes long, and only required household materials, if any. These activities were not designed as lab experiments or demos, but helped to bridge life experiences with physics concepts while engaging students’ bodies. We present some of the activities, and lessons that were learned in the design and implementation process.

This work was supported in part by the Council of Independent Colleges and the W.M. Keck Foundation.