When it comes to teaching Spanish, especially to elementary students, you’ve got to keep things fresh. Worksheets are a classic go-to for independent practice, but there’s some magic in mixing them with movement-based activities. In this post, we’ll talk about the Do’s and Don’ts of worksheets (using my Spanish Journey with Los Números 6-10 Independent Activity Packet as our guide) and dive into why blending quiet work with movement is so effective, backed by neuroscience! Plus, I’ll throw in five extension activities to keep your students engaged and active.
The Do's of Worksheets (and Why They Work):
- Do Keep Them Engaging – Keeping students engaged through activities like tracing, coloring, and counting helps keep their brains focused and active. These tasks target the brain’s motor cortex, building fine motor skills while reinforcing new information in their working memory. Research shows that kids retain new concepts better when their hands are actively involved, which is why Los Números 6-10 is packed with interactive activities like coloring and tracing.
- Do Scaffold Learning – Starting simple and gradually adding complexity is a great way to support cognitive development. Neuroscientifically speaking, scaffolding helps bridge the gap between what students already know and what they’re trying to learn by chunking the information into manageable steps. In the Los Números packet, students go from tracing numbers to writing them on their own, slowly building toward mastery.
- Do Use Them as a Supplement – Worksheets are wonderful for reinforcing learning but aren’t enough on their own. Blending them with dynamic activities creates a full brain workout, tapping into different parts of the brain (motor skills, auditory processing, memory, etc.). It’s like teaching students a new song—first, they learn the lyrics (the worksheet), and then they sing it and dance to the beat (movement activities)!
- Do Encourage Independence – Independent practice helps foster autonomy, something that’s critical for brain development. By allowing students to work alone, you help them take ownership of their learning, which strengthens their prefrontal cortex—the area responsible for decision-making and problem-solving. That’s why I love the Los Números packet—it’s designed to be independent but fun, encouraging kids to count and color on their own.
- Do Mix in Variety – The brain thrives on novelty. When students encounter new formats (like tracing, cutting, and coloring), they activate different neural pathways, which helps solidify learning. By mixing up activities within the Los Números 6-10 packet, students get a varied approach that keeps their brains engaged, excited, and ready to learn.
The Don’ts of Worksheets (and the Neuroscience Behind Them):
- Don’t Overuse Them – Too much of a good thing can backfire. Worksheets can become repetitive and boring, which lowers student engagement. Research shows that novelty sparks dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical, which keeps kids interested and motivated. That’s why balancing worksheets with new, exciting activities is key.
- Don’t Forget Movement – Movement boosts brain power. Physical activity increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain, improving memory and cognitive function. So while worksheets are great for quiet practice, movement is essential for boosting long-term retention. We’ll get to some fun movement-based extensions shortly!
- Don’t Make Them Too Easy or Too Hard – The “Goldilocks Zone” applies to worksheets, too. If an activity is too easy, students check out; too hard, and they get frustrated. The sweet spot? Challenges that are just right. Los Números 6-10 nails this by gradually increasing the difficulty—from tracing numbers to independent counting.
- Don’t Assume One Size Fits All – Every student is different, and brain research shows that differentiation is key to effective learning. Some kids need extra support with fine motor skills, while others may excel at counting. Differentiating tasks within the worksheet ensures every student gets the right level of challenge, maximizing engagement and brain development.
- Don’t Forget to Have Fun – Fun and laughter trigger the release of endorphins and lower stress levels, which creates a brain-friendly environment for learning. Incorporating creative and playful elements (like coloring pineapples!) makes worksheets more enjoyable and, as a result, more effective.
Why Movement + Worksheets Are the Dream Team
According to neuroscience, movement and learning are deeply intertwined. Physical activity activates both hemispheres of the brain, which improves cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving. By alternating between quiet, focused work (like worksheets) and movement-based activities, you’re creating a balanced, brain-friendly learning experience that boosts retention and engagement.
Now that we’ve got the science covered, let’s jump into five movement-based extensions you can add to my Spanish Journey with Los Números packet!
Get Your Resource: Spanish Journey with Los Números 6-10 Independent Activity Packet
5 Fun Movement-Based Extensions for Los Números Packet
- Número Salta (Jump Numbers)
Lay out numbered flashcards across the floor, and call out a number in Spanish (¡seis! ¡diez!). Students have to jump to the correct number. The jumping stimulates their motor cortex, while the counting keeps their working memory sharp! - Busca y Cuenta (Seek and Count)
Hide objects around the room, and give each student a number to find. Once they’ve found the right amount of objects, they have to count them in Spanish (¡Ocho juguetes!). This activity taps into both their motor skills and memory, giving them a full-brain workout. - Pasa la Pelota (Pass the Ball)
In a circle, students pass a ball while counting out loud in Spanish. Each time they pass, the next student says the following number (uno, dos, tres…). It’s perfect for reinforcing number sequences while keeping students moving and engaged. - Número Carrera (Number Race)
In teams, students race to arrange number cards (6-10) in the correct order after you’ve called out a scrambled sequence. The teamwork and movement trigger the release of dopamine, keeping students motivated and excited. - Ritmo de Números (Number Rhythm)
Have students clap, stomp, or tap to a rhythm while counting in Spanish. This taps into both their auditory and motor systems, strengthening their ability to memorize numbers through rhythm and repetition.
The Gist of it All
Blending independent worksheet time with movement-based activities is a brain-boosting strategy backed by neuroscience. Worksheets like Spanish Journey with Los Números 6-10 give students the quiet, focused time they need to build foundational skills, while games like Número Salta or Pasa la Pelota get them moving and laughing—helping those new concepts stick.
So, next time you’re teaching numbers in Spanish, remember: it’s all about balance. Quiet time plus active time equals a recipe for success (¡y diversión también!).
Have you tried mixing movement with worksheets in your classroom? Let me know how it worked for your students! And if you need more resources, check out the Spanish Journey series in my shop to keep the fun going.
Spanish Journey with Los Números 1-5 Digital Presentation
Spanish Journey with Los Números 1-5 Independent Activity Packet
Spanish Journey with Numbers 6-10 Digital Presentation
Spanish Journey with Los Números 6-10 Independent Activity Packet
Spanish Journey with Numbers 11-15 Digital Presentation
Spanish Journey with Números 11-15 Independent Activity Packet
Spanish Journey with Numbers 16-20 Digital Presentation
Spanish Interactive Counting & Tracing Numbers 0-20: A Complete Resource
Resources
- Jensen, E. (2005). Teaching with the Brain in Mind.
This book discusses how movement increases oxygen flow to the brain, improving memory and cognitive function. It emphasizes that physical activity can enhance learning and retention, supporting the idea of integrating movement with traditional worksheets. - Medina, J. (2014). Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School.
Medina’s research highlights the importance of physical movement in cognitive function, noting that movement increases brain power. This supports the use of movement-based activities to complement worksheet learning for better retention and engagement. - Willis, J. (2011). The Neuroscience of Joyful Education.
In this article, Dr. Judy Willis explains how positive emotions and active learning strategies (like games and movement) enhance brain function. It supports the idea that fun, engaging activities improve students’ learning outcomes, particularly when balanced with structured activities like worksheets.