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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Gonzales from Westminster, CO is requesting other through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Gonzales is requesting

If Your Bum is Numb, So is Your Brain, Let's Get on the Ball

My students need 28 stabilizer chairs in order to focus for longer periods of time and to be able to retain new learning in all academic areas.

  • $764 goal

This project expired on February 29, 2012.

This project expired on February 29, 2012.

Classroom photo
Mrs. Gonzales Cotton Creek Elementary School
Westminster, CO Grades 3-5

My Students

How easy is it for adults to sit in hard chairs for a 7 hour long conference and not have the need to get up and move around? Now imagine that you are 8 years old and trying to take in new information in the classroom. My students need to "move and groove" about every 30 minutes throughout each day.

I have 31 eager third grade learners in my classroom.

Our school is located in a mid-economical area of an urban setting, with a consistent growth of at risk students enrolling yearly. The student diversity is why I teach where I do, however, it remains an increasing challenge to keep all students engaged throughout the learning. Each of my students are special and unique in their own ways. Many are very active and need sensory breaks throughout the day. About 1/4 of my class has some sort of special needs, which include sensory and attention deficit challenges. On the average, all of my students need 5 additional breaks, beyond the normal transitional breaks throughout the day. This practice is to get them moving and to "wake" up their brain in order to get through any given lesson. It has been noted that students participate and are able to focus more after we complete a "brain break."

My Project

Throughout the day, we take "brain breaks," which involves cross lateral movements and jumping in order to keep many of my students focused and engaged in the learning taking place. Each "brain break" takes about 3-5 minutes, so by the end of the day, those minutes really add up. Having the students use the stabilizer balls will cut down on transitional time spent on "brain breaks" and we will be able to utilize every moment of learning possible. It will allow students who need a little movement to wiggle while they are paying attention and actively participating in the daily lessons. The students who need to take sensory breaks and/or attention breaks will be able to so right at their desks instead of outside the classroom. No learning opportunities will be interrupted due to the need of movement or sensory. Research has shown that using stabilizer balls has increased all students' level of focus and attention, as well as retention of information improved overall for all students.

By using the stabilizer balls instead of plastic chairs will allow my students to focus and actively participate while also servicing their needs for movement, attention deficit breaks, and sensory breaks.

These "chairs" will allow us to focus on the most important priority, learning! Overall, we will be spending more time learning every day instead of "waking up" our brains. The stabilizer balls will allow the freedom of movement when needed. After all, when your bum is numb, so is your brain!

More than a third of students from low‑income households

31 students impacted
Mrs. Gonzales Cotton Creek Elementary School Grades 3-5 Westminster, CO View local requests

More than a third of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

31 students impacted

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
CHAIR BALL 45CM SIT N GYM • Abilitations, Inc. $18.61 28 $521.08

Materials cost

$521.08

Vendor shipping charges

 $52.11

Sales tax

 $33.35

3rd party payment processing fee

$7.82

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$649.36

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$114.59

Total project goal

$763.95

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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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. Gonzales and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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