I am currently teaching fifth grade. It is my first year teaching; however, it is not the only classroom I have ever taught in. I have spent time teaching kindergarten and fourth grade as well.
In my room, I have noticed that my students are extra wiggly. This would be a polite way to put it. To help them get out some of their extra energy, I want to give them some flexible seating during class by providing each student with a large yoga ball to sit on.
Yes, I know it sounds crazy. However, I know from experience that this will work! Previously I spent time teaching in fourth grade. In this class, each child was given the option of a yoga ball or a chair to sit. Every child chose to sit on a ball. Instead of students trying to balance on one leg of their chair, they would sit and bounce. Instead of getting up and not pushing a chair in, they would get up and roll their ball under their desk. Students went from looking for any excuse to walk around the room, to focused on their work, in their seat bouncing softly on these yoga balls. It was amazing to see! This simple change in seating in my classroom, would instantly stop students from falling out of chairs and have them focused on their classwork, giving them more opportunities to learn. “Teachers who swapped out traditional chairs for stability balls and even stationary exercise bikes, noticed a change in posture, enthusiasm for reading and other desk work and paying attention in general, according to a 2010 article in "Education World".
About my class
I am currently teaching fifth grade. It is my first year teaching; however, it is not the only classroom I have ever taught in. I have spent time teaching kindergarten and fourth grade as well.
In my room, I have noticed that my students are extra wiggly. This would be a polite way to put it. To help them get out some of their extra energy, I want to give them some flexible seating during class by providing each student with a large yoga ball to sit on.
Yes, I know it sounds crazy. However, I know from experience that this will work! Previously I spent time teaching in fourth grade. In this class, each child was given the option of a yoga ball or a chair to sit. Every child chose to sit on a ball. Instead of students trying to balance on one leg of their chair, they would sit and bounce. Instead of getting up and not pushing a chair in, they would get up and roll their ball under their desk. Students went from looking for any excuse to walk around the room, to focused on their work, in their seat bouncing softly on these yoga balls. It was amazing to see! This simple change in seating in my classroom, would instantly stop students from falling out of chairs and have them focused on their classwork, giving them more opportunities to learn. “Teachers who swapped out traditional chairs for stability balls and even stationary exercise bikes, noticed a change in posture, enthusiasm for reading and other desk work and paying attention in general, according to a 2010 article in "Education World".
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