Standards-Based Instruction Through Action and Sensory Learning, McCrea, Summer 2026

Course Number:	EDX 5710 S04
Instructor:	Teann McCrea, M.Ed.
Location:	In-person & online
Dates and Times:	June 29 - Aug 10, 2026. 6/29 - 7/3 In-person at Fair Haven Grade School or online from 8:30-3:00. Online only - 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/3 from 8:00-9:30. 8/10 Online or in person- 8:30-3:00
Credits:	3 Graduate Credits
Tuition:	$1,195

Course Description

Students will immerse themselves in Action-Based Learning by engaging their senses and strengthening cognitive fitness. They will explore and experience the core elements of Action-Based Learning and learn how to intentionally connect purposeful movement with academic concepts to enhance learning, retention, and cognitive skills. Students will develop an understanding of how brain development and stimulation play a critical role in academic success.

This course focuses on incorporating sensory input and movement into existing curriculum and state education standards, with the goal of improving focus, memory, academic performance, and reducing behavioral challenges. Emphasis will be placed on making learning fun and engaging while requiring minimal additional planning time. Students will also design and create their own instructional units with support from fellow educators and research-based articles.

Audience: PreK-12 educators, special educators, and specialists with an earned Bachelor's Degree

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals: The course will:

Promote Action/Sensory based learning in the pre-K through 12 classrooms as well as in specials.
Demonstrate knowledge of brain function
Demonstrate knowledge of how to optimize brain function in today’s youth.
Provide exposure to a variety of Action/Sensory based activities and units.
Provide resources and instruction to support the preK-12 teachers/specialists in curriculum-building.

Course Objectives: Participants in this course will:

Explore Action/Sensory based learning through a variety of general and specialized content knowledge across curricular content areas.
Consider an individual’s abilities, interests, learning environments, cultural and linguistic factors in the selection of instruction.
Design interdisciplinary units of instruction that foster growth across curricular content areas.
Effectively use multiple representations and explanations that capture the key ideas in the discipline and promote each learner’s achievement of content standards.
Engage in discourse around Action-based learning including strengths, weaknesses, questions, successes and possible implementation challenges.

Course Schedule

Week 1: Reading response #1 due Thurs., Discussion topic #1 Due Friday, resource review due Friday
Week 2: Discussion topic #2 due Friday, Reading response #2 due Friday.
Week 3: Discussion topic #3 due Friday, Reading response #3 due Friday
Week 4: Discussion topic #4 due Friday, Reading Response #4 due Friday
Week 5: Discussion topic #5 due Friday, Reading Response #5 due Friday
Week 6: Presentation of Unit plan due Monday, Project: complete unit plan due Friday

Required Readings/Resources

The cost for required readings/resources, if any, is not included in the course cost.

Becker, K. (2023). Learning Through Movement in the K-6 classroom Routledge Taylor & Francis Group

Meyer, P. (2023). The Pillars of Brain Optimization.

Mello, J., Costa, R., Silva, F., Martins, R., Cristi-Montero, C. (2025) School ACTIVE, Brain Active (Volume 46) Educational Research Review

Petrigna, L., Thomas, E., Brusa, J., Rizzo, F., Scardina, A., Galassi, C, Verde, D. (2022) Does Learning through Movement Improve Academic Performance in Primary School Children? PubMed Central

Kuczala, M., Lengel, T., (2018) Ready, Set, Go! The Kinethetic Classroom 2.0. Corwin Publishing and KIDSFIT

Today show (2025, Jan. 8). Ground breaking look at the impact of screen time on kid’s brains. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaDdqjZumZw

Action Based Learning (2025, Nov. 12). Transforming Education Through Movement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG3z5fHTzPc

For additional course information

Teann McCrea

(518) 499-5077

For additional registration information

Center for Schools Team

(802) 468-1325