You Don't Need A Class Gym
When thinking about creating an active classroom, think about the space you have. Is there an area you can dedicate to movement? Is the furniture arranged in a way that maximizes the amount of movement that can happen? Can you use other spaces, such as hallways or corridors, to expand the space? In Finland students often use the entire school to move around. Students are allowed to be unsupervised in various parts of the school. While this is not always a possibility in the U.S., perhaps with some school wide planning the learning space could be extend beyond the classroom.
This classroom is an exceptional example of what can be done to increase movement. The teacher and students collaborated to create this environment. Most items were built together or donated to the class. Students transition seamlessly between math problems and pull ups.
In this photo students are enjoying a break and using the equipment in the classroom.
Even if you have rows of desks you might be able to include a space where students can have some movement. In this class there is a pull up bar, safety mat, and also a climbing ladder.
Furniture that can be easily moved is helpful in designing an active class. In Finland some classes have tables that can fit together in various shapes. Chairs with wheels can be helpful, even though it can take time for students to get used to them.
Yoga mats or small rugs can make sitting on the floor more comfortable to work. After the lesson they can be rolled up and stored easily in the classroom.