Tom Hunter of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, "Sitting still is overrated. It makes sense for the opera or for meditating, but in most classrooms and child care centers, it's given far more honor than it deserves. Children need to move." My students need to move too!
Have you ever watched a squirrel?
They twitch, dart, and leap. Nothing about their movement shows a calm or relaxing demeanor. They epitomize quick, rapid movement, just like my seventh grade "squirrelly" students. In my Language Arts class, my students must train their minds and skills to focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This is especially difficult because many of my "squirrels" suffer from learning disabilities which make focusing on one task even more difficult. Additionally, my students are in their first year in middle school which means they will be sitting in their desks for longer than they are used to. Using pedal bikes is one of the many ways I am working to incorporate focus and healthy living into my classroom.
My Project
There are certain individual activities where students need to sit and listen while there are others where they need to sit and write. In my class we also use SSR (Sustained Silent Reading) to practice reading quietly. I plan for students to use these pedal bikes during research, essay writing, lectures, and reading. I also hope to also use these during group work. My goal is to promote physical fitness and offer an outlet for my student's energy.
Like squirrels, my students embody movement.
They twist in their chairs, fidget, and squiggle at every chance they get. Providing pedal bikes will give my students a physical output that promotes focus. This will help them concentrate on individual tasks and will encourage stronger learning habits. Not only that, but my students will also feel the benefit of increased circulation and have the opportunity to avoid sedentary sitting while channeling their movements towards a healthy lifestyle!
Half 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
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