Get Fit! With Math and Lit: A Pilot Program of Physical Activity, Mathematics, and Literacy with Middle Grades Students through Culturally Relevant Pedagogy

Oct 15, 2026

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In an afterschool program at a university literacy center, the study pilots integrating physical activity with multimodal mathematics and literacy tasks for middle grades participants. The design applies culturally relevant pedagogy by supporting academic success, cultural competence, and critical consciousness through a sports-based youth development approach using TPSR. Participants attend bi-weekly 30-minute sessions for two months and provide input via reflections, journaling, and a late focus group, informing initial takeaways and improvement directions for broader implementation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Program overview and design

Framing the program with relevant research

Current Issues in Middle Level Education | Volume 28 Issue 1 | Article 1 | | --- | --- | | August 2024
Get Fit! With Math and Lit: A Pilot Program of Physical Activity, Mathematics, and Literacy with Middle Grades Students through Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
Christine L. Craddock
Delaware State University, [ccraddock@desu.edu](ccraddock@desu.edu)
Brittany Pinkerton
Augusta University, [bpinkerton@augusta.edu](bpinkerton@augusta.edu)
Follow this and additional works at: [https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cimle](https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cimle)[ ](https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cimle) Part of the Accessibility Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Health and Physical Education Commons, Junior High, Intermediate, Middle School Education and Teaching Commons, Language and Literacy Education Commons, and the Science and Mathematics Education Commons | | Recommended Citation Craddock, Christine L. and Pinkerton, Brittany (2024) "Get Fit! With Math and Lit: A Pilot Program of Physical Activity, Mathematics, and Literacy with Middle Grades Students through Culturally Relevant Pedagogy," Current Issues in Middle Level Education: Vol. 28: Iss. 1, Article 1. DOI: 10. 20429/cimle.2024.280101 Available at: [https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cimle/vol28/iss1/1](https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cimle/vol28/iss1/1) This description is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Georgia Southern Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Current Issues in Middle Level Education by an authorized administrator of Georgia Southern Commons. For more information, please contact [digitalcommons@georgiasouthern.edu](digitalcommons@georgiasouthern.edu). Get Fit! With Math and Lit: A Pilot Program of Physical Activity, Mathematics, and Literacy with Middle Grades Students through Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Cover Page Footnote We have no conflicts of interest to disclose. All research and materials were obtained with IRB approval. Erratum A previous version of this article listed Dr. Christine Craddock's previous institution. This description is available in Current Issues in Middle Level Education: [https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cimle/vol28/iss1/1](https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cimle/vol28/iss1/1) Get Fit! With Math and Lit: A Pilot Program of Physical Activity, Mathematics, and Literacy with Middle Grades Students through Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Christine Craddock, Delaware State University Brittany Pinkerton, Augusta University Abstract In an afterschool program at a university literacy center, we piloted the integration of physical activity with multimodal mathematics and literacy exercises. We aimed to incorporate the three tenets of culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) including academic success, cultural competence, and critical consciousness with middle grades participants by utilizing a sports-based youth development model (SBYD), Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) . Participants participated in 30-minute sessions bi-weekly over two months, which included reflective discussions and journaling to begin and end activities, respectively. Participants were invited to suggest activities during sessions and interact cooperatively with facilitators and peers. They also engaged in a focus group toward the end of the pilot program to provide their perspectives and feedback. We detail beginning takeaways from the program initiative and interrogate possible improvements and adaptations for other middle level settings. Finally, we aim to provide educational and community implications related to future implementations ofthis program or similar ones in diverse contexts. Keywords: physical activity, culturally relevant, new literacies, interdisciplinary, positive youth development Our afterschool pilot program was designed to integrate physical

FAQs

How long and how often do participants take part?

Participants attend 30-minute sessions bi-weekly over two months, with reflective discussions and journaling at the beginning and end of activities.

What do the researchers do to gather participant perspectives?

Participants suggest activities during sessions, interact cooperatively with facilitators and peers, and complete a focus group near the end to provide perspectives and feedback.

Oct 15, 2026

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