Shall I compare 7th grade to a summer's day? Every day, my kids and I dig into a new poem, then move on to other reading, writing, listening, speaking, and all sorts of creating on our AMAZING Chromebooks.
We make sure to take "Brain Breaks" regularly, but lots of computer usage also means lots of seat time, and middle schoolers aren't particularly great at that.
Twelve-year-olds are still kids and need to be wiggly; heck, I need to be wiggly! My kids are growing and learning and changing at a rate not seen since they were infants, and it's absolutely delightful to help them explore these new frontiers. We work in groups a ton, and I get them up in front of the room, TALKING, at least a half-dozen times a year.
My Project
To help keep those wiggles under control, we'll use the exercise balls and wobble cushions. I had one ball last year, and I was amazed how much it helped those students with the most difficult time sitting still. Standing desks are a great change of pace that will be available to kids as they need them, and the stress balls and resistance bands let kids move on a smaller scale, giving their hands and feet something to do.
My room is pretty great.
I have lots of student work everywhere (my ceiling tiles are nearly all original works of art collected from students over the last 15 years!), pictures, posters, choices, and my great big smile. My kids feel welcomed and loved in my room, and I want them to also feel comfortable, both emotionally and physically. These tools help twice - physically by giving kids outlets for pent-up energy and emotionally by demonstrating to the kids how much I care.
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