Have you ever tried to get a second grader to sit still for 15 minutes? How about 24 second graders? It is very difficult for a second grader to sit still in a chair and listen to a lesson, let alone focus. My students need a way to get energy out safely so they can focus in the classroom.
My students are rambunctious second graders who attend an inner city school with limited funding.
Living in the big city, they don't have a large amount of space to run around and get energy out. My second graders are pretty well behaved, but do struggle to sit still and focus during lessons. They love moving around and doing projects, however, when it is time to sit and do work at our desks, it becomes a very difficult task and it is not always a lot of fun for them. With several of my students being diagnosed with ADHD and other attention disorders, as well as many of them not releasing energy at home, they need something at school to help them get that energy out so they can focus and succeed in the classroom.
My Project
Having these stability balls in the classroom will allow my students to slightly bounce and swivel while seated without moving around or making a lot of noise. The balls will eliminate laying heads down on desks and seating improperly and unsafely in the traditional seats. In order to stay seated on the balls, the students have to use energy through their core and legs to push down towards the ground and maintain balance. Releasing energy quietly this way does not cause a distraction and allows for students to keep focused on the lessons and work they are doing. Not only will my students be able to release energy safely and focus on learning, they will also improve their strength and posture. With no backing, students have to sit straight up. Many children today have problems with standing and sitting up straight and struggle with good posture. My students will sit in these balls everyday Monday through Friday for an entire school year and will definitely improve their posture.
It is so important to my students and myself that we receive these stability balls in our classroom.
By improving their focus, allowing them to safely and quietly release energy, bettering their posture, and strengthening their core muscles, the students will benefit tremendously from the balls. Second grade is an important year and these balls will help them focus and learn the foundations of what they will need to be successful in life.
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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 Ms. Musick and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.