By purchasing exercise balls through this project, you will provide my students with a new way to sit while in the computer lab. Instead of sitting at the lab tables in the traditional way, students will be allowed to work in the lab while sitting on exercise balls replacing the old, hard, plastic traditional chairs. Students who are having a difficult time regulating themselves will be trained how to use the exercise balls to meet their sensory needs. A corner of the classroom will be devoted to activities students can do when they need a sensory break (tracing a line of tape up the wall with the ball, walk-outs, stretching, steamrolling, ect).
Students who experience more movement throughout the day do better academically. Since Covid-19, many students have been forced to sit and stay in their seats longer. This year, I have witnessed many of my students struggling behaviorally and academically because their sensory needs are not being met. A few teachers in my building have purchased 1-2 exercise balls for students to sit on. Students who have the opportunity to sit on these balls can roll and bounce at their seats giving them the opportunity to get out some of their need to move; therefore, their behaviors and learning made a drastic improvement. Upon observing this, I began doing my own research. I have found that students need movement to develop their central nervous systems. That's why recess is so important - allowing students to run and jump and play. Every child needs movement. By giving my students the gift of exercise balls, they can channel their need to move in a positive way. By allowing them to channel their kinesthetic energy through bouncing and rolling they can focus more on their work at hand and increase their learning.
About my class
By purchasing exercise balls through this project, you will provide my students with a new way to sit while in the computer lab. Instead of sitting at the lab tables in the traditional way, students will be allowed to work in the lab while sitting on exercise balls replacing the old, hard, plastic traditional chairs. Students who are having a difficult time regulating themselves will be trained how to use the exercise balls to meet their sensory needs. A corner of the classroom will be devoted to activities students can do when they need a sensory break (tracing a line of tape up the wall with the ball, walk-outs, stretching, steamrolling, ect).
Students who experience more movement throughout the day do better academically. Since Covid-19, many students have been forced to sit and stay in their seats longer. This year, I have witnessed many of my students struggling behaviorally and academically because their sensory needs are not being met. A few teachers in my building have purchased 1-2 exercise balls for students to sit on. Students who have the opportunity to sit on these balls can roll and bounce at their seats giving them the opportunity to get out some of their need to move; therefore, their behaviors and learning made a drastic improvement. Upon observing this, I began doing my own research. I have found that students need movement to develop their central nervous systems. That's why recess is so important - allowing students to run and jump and play. Every child needs movement. By giving my students the gift of exercise balls, they can channel their need to move in a positive way. By allowing them to channel their kinesthetic energy through bouncing and rolling they can focus more on their work at hand and increase their learning.
Read more