Have you ever been with some 1st grade kids that wiggle and squirm the whole time? First graders are so active and want to move all the time which causes them to lose focus on given tasks because they just need to move.
My first grade students are a very diverse group of students.
They range in reading levels from Kindergarten to Third grade. They are also a very active group. Our school is a moderate size school and encourages their students and teachers to try new things.
My Project
Research has shown that the use of exercise balls as chairs allow students to focus on their learning instead of their need to move. "The tiny movements kids make to stay balanced stimulate their brains and help them focus," says Dr. John Ratey, a Harvard University professor and author of "Driven to Distraction" and "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain." "Children with attention disorders," he says,"have "a sleepy cortex," and exercise combats that mental disengagement. Just by using their core muscles more, they're flipping [their cortex] on" and increasing their mental activity," Ratey says. "The cerebellum part of their brain is really working to adjust, every millisecond." Through the use of the balls my students ability to focus will increase dramatically.
My students love to move and we take movement breaks about every 10 minutes just to keep them focused.
Through the use of exercise balls as chairs they would be able to move without stopping their learning. Through your help in purchasing 18 balls you would be helping 18 students to learn to their maximum potential. They will no longer be fidgeting with their chair, instead they will be gaining the attention and focus needed to be a productive participant in their learning and class.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. P. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.