Every day my students ask me, "When is Minds-in-Motion?? Can we go to Minds-in-Motion early??" I'm constantly telling them they will have to wait until it is time. Minds-in-Motion provides students with a movement-based obstacle course that helps students function at their highest level.
My students are second grade students in a rural community.
You would think they spend all day playing outside, being that nature is right outside their door. But, like most students of this age, they spend it playing video games. To balance the video game nation, I attended a workshop on balance and movement. In this workshop, I learned about how my students, even at the young age of 8, could benefit from specified movement activities targeting the auditory, visual, and balance systems of the body and brain. My students crave this time. They love the break in the day and the ability to do something that is physically demanding. My school is considered moderate poverty and we don't have the extra materials to make this obstacle course exciting. They love when something is changed and it also challenges the brain. Please help my enthusiastic, deserving students have the materials they need to achieve great academics!
My Project
Students will be using the materials in our "brain power" time called Minds-in-Motion. During this time, they work on doing movement activities that help their auditory, visual, and balance systems. This impacts their vestibular system which is a central processing system for the brain. When students have this time to do these activities, they begin working to their potential. Students will do things like work on their motor skills by jumping, catching, walking on beams, balancing on balance boards, and so much more. Some of the simplest movements that we take for granted like crawling lead to great developmental growth for the brain. The simple act of crawling allows students brain hemispheres to work together which leads to higher brain functioning because they are utilizing the hemispheres together because of the bi-lateral movements of crawling. In conclusion, students who have the access to this type of movement have the ability to function at their highest capacity.
Minds-in-Motion makes a difference!
It helps kids who are stuck and haven't had success begin to have success. It helps students who are already academically functioning at high levels reach even higher levels. It helps everyone. There is a need in the current society for movement and waking up the brain and this project WILL make a difference in my students' lives academically, socially, and physically. It is research based and highly effective. Thank you!
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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. Hanger and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
