As a teacher in a Title I school in a rural area in the foothills of North Carolina, many of my students receive free or reduced lunch and are faced with several challenges both in and out of the classroom. Despite the many challenges they face, I am always looking for ways that will benefit them and their future the most. I have several students that play multiple sports or a single sport throughout the year. In addition, several have ADHD. Some are medicated, and some are not. These are tremendous young men and women who want to do well, but they need an outlet to be able to get some of their energy out during the day. When they are not able to expend this energy, they become distracted and their learning diminishes.
My Project
Bouncy Bands help students focus by allowing them to expend their energy quietly, without being noticed. The bands go under each student's desk. The students put their feet on them and are then able to move their feet up and down. Since the band is under the desk, this action goes unnoticed by the rest of the class.
This outlet for their energy helps them to concentrate, without causing a distraction to others.
My co-teacher already has a set of these bands in her room. While she originally bought them for students with ADHD, many other students have enjoyed using them. A class set also helps the students with ADHD to not feel "singled out." Students who have experienced these have expressed a desire to have them in other classrooms as well. When they come to my room, they wonder why I don't have them too! One student who has used these before said, "I really like the Bouncy Bands...I use the one I have at my desk all the time. I think it helps me."
Tom Hunter, of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, stated, "Sitting still is overrated. It makes sense for the opera or the meditating, but in most classrooms and child care centers, it's given far more honor that it deserves. Children need to move." Bouncy Bands gives students this opportunity to help them learn!
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