Has sitting for extended periods of time ever caused you to become relaxed and inattentive? I see this happening to many students school year after school year. Let's help students focus more on instruction and BOUNCE stability balls into the classroom!
My students are in 4th grade at a rural school in Iowa.
Our district is a public school system that strives to keep up with the demanding needs of today's 21st Century Learners. Our district consists of four buildings (high school, middle school, intermediate and primary). Fourth grade is part of the intermediate building (grades 3-5). Each year our district continues to grow and thrive.
My Project
Brain research has shown that there is a link between movement and positive academic performance. Sitting on balls makes a student sit up straighter which increases blood flow to the brain and all parts of the body. Combining movement and increasing blood flow should result in the ability to stay on task throughout the day and thus, increase academic learning. Stability balls allow movement in a controlled manner without disturbance in the classroom. When sitting on stability balls, bodies continuously make muscular adjustments and keep us attentive. This active sitting also can improve flexibility, coordination, balance and handwriting. Stability balls satisfy a child's need for movement (by balancing on the ball) during academic instruction. In addition, the use of stability balls should help students become more physically fit because core muscles are engaged and strengthened.
Doing away with chairs and replacing them with stability exercise balls allows movement to be incorporated into the school day and therefore help students stay engaged.
This "non-traditional " seating will also promote continuous blood flow and oxygen circulation to the brain. Research has found that when students engage their body in some way, they're actually more focused! So let's bounce stability balls into our classroom to improve focus AND fitness!
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