Primary School Tone Tomšič Knežak

Slovenia

Active breaks

Focus Area

Physical activity and students’ participation

Target Group

From 6 to 14 years old (1st to 9th grades)

By Martina Batista Jenko (teacher)

Purpose of Active breaks

The main purpose of the activity was to encourage students to be more physically active in their free time (in main break) and to actively involve them in the planning and implementing of the activity.

Preparation Phase

Our school team decided that our main goal for this project will be physical activity of students and also teachers. We have observed that students spend most of their time indoors, glued to screens. Our goal was to incorporate physical activity into lesson time.

Implementation Phase

We decided to involve all pupils in the school in the implementation of the project, and occasionally, children from four groups of the kindergarten attached to the school also joined us. We chose the main break on Fridays for the activities. The students, together with their class teachers, prepared an activity. Based on a predetermined list, each class prepared a 10-15 minute physical activity that we all performed in the school gym. The oldest students started, and we finished with the youngest – first graders. They chose and organized very different physical activities (stretching exercises, strength exercises, breathing exercises, games, and dance…), but based on the observation, they enjoyed the dance-based active breaks the most.

Considering our goal to increase the physical activity of students and involve as many or all students as possible in this activity, we succeeded, as everyone was active. The students were enthusiastic about active Fridays and considered them important for better physical health, increased their productivity in subsequent school hours, and reduced stress.

Project Results

Students from different classes got to know each other better, worked together, and supported one another in pursuit of a common goal: continuous physical activity that brings together students (and teachers) from across the school. As our school is small and in a rural area, we all know each other well, and our relationships are already quite close and personal. Activities like these help to strengthen these bonds even further and bring us all closer together, knowing that we are united by a common goal: more physical activity for all for better health of all.

About Primary School
Tone Tomšič Knežak

The village of Knežak is located in the municipality of Ilirska Bistrica in Slovenia. The social structure in this village, as in many smaller Slovenian rural communities, is often intertwined with traditional values, family ties, and local customs. Our school is deeply connected to the local community. We work closely with local organizations, the health department (collaborating on preventive programs and health promotion initiatives), and other partners to promote health in our school.

Primary School Tone Tomšič Knežak have 129 students from 6 to 14 years old (from 1st to 9th grades) and 30 teachers. A kindergarten is also attached to the school. Primary School Tone Tomšič Knežak is a key educational institution located in Knežak. Named after Tone Tomšič, a Slovenian national hero and resistance fighter during World War II, the school embodies a strong connection to local heritage and community values. The school provides education to students from the local community and surrounding areas, offering grades typically found in Slovenian primary education (ranging from early childhood education to approximately age 14).

The curriculum includes subjects such as mathematics, Slovenian language, science, history, geography, arts, physical education, and foreign languages. The school often serves as a cultural hub for the village, hosting events, performances, and activities that engage students, parents, and residents. Emphasis is placed on fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. Because of the location, the school can incorporate lessons or activities related to nature conservation and sustainability into its programs.

The school has been involved in the Network of Health Promoting Schools since 2009. This program encourages schools to integrate health-related activities and education into their curriculum and daily routines. We focus on the physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being of students and staff and also promote a positive school climate where health is prioritized alongside academic achievement. Engages not only students and teachers but also parents, local health professionals, and the broader community in promoting health initiatives.

In Slovenia, schools like ours participating in this network would incorporate these principles into their daily operations, fostering a healthier and more supportive learning environment for students.

School’s website: https://www.os-knezak.si/

Project Challenges

The main challenge was the organisational part: younger students usually spend most of their time on snacks, which left a small part of the break that could be used for exercise. The next challenge was how to motivate the older students, who were not so keen to take part in active breaks. Nevertheless, we were able to keep everyone engaged.

Success Factors

The greatest support comes from our colleagues and school management. It would be difficult for one individual to organize the entire process and implementation, so it is very important in schools that we support each other, help each other, and together achieve our goals. Increasing physical activity was a goal that almost all teachers voted for, so we approached it together.

Future Perspectives

As a school with long-standing experience in health promotion, we aim to ensure that this remains one of the main objectives in the future. Promoting a healthy lifestyle benefits the well-being of both students and the entire local community. This is of crucial importance to the school. Physical activity provide numerous benefits for students, positively impacting their physical health, mental well-being, and academic performance. Incorporating physical activity into daily routines, whether through sports, dance, or active breaks during lessons, helps create a well-rounded, healthier, and more engaged student body.

Recommendations

It is necessary to set a common goal. In this way, it is easier and more successful to achieve results. It is important to motivate as many teachers and students as possible, as such organizationally demanding tasks cannot be carried out by just one teacher. And such large tasks also give a lot of satisfaction.

More physical activity can be also integrated into lessons, for example:

- - Introduce short, 5-minute physical activities during lessons, such as stretching, dancing, or simple exercises like jumping jacks or yoga.
- - Include quick physical challenges, such as balancing on one leg while answering a question.
- - Take students outside for a walk to discuss science, geography, or storytelling.
- - Use outdoor spaces for active problem-solving games or physical team-building exercises.
- - Use balance balls, standing desks, or wobble stools to allow light movement during lessons.
- - Instead of raising hands, students can move to different corners of the room to indicate their answers.
- - Integrate short, age-appropriate workout or dance videos into breaks.

By making physical activity as an integral part of lessons, you can enhance students’ physical health, focus, and overall engagement in the classroom.