Sitting still is overrated. Do you remember those hard, miserable, classroom chairs? I try to keep my students as active as possible for two reasons. Number one, research shows students learn best when moving. Number two, kids want and need to wiggle! Bouncy bands are a dream come true!
I teach at a Title I school where our Free and Reduced Lunch Program fluctuates between 65% and 87%.
My school is extremely transient with a constant revolving door. When a student enters my classroom, I know I have a small window of opportunity to reach that child. Most of the parents are uneducated and unable to assist with education at home. These kids come to us hungry and needy.
What makes these kids special is they have no sense of entitlement. They value the smallest and simplest of things. I can honestly say by teaching them, I have learned much more than my Master's Degree offered.
I have 5 students whose parents speak zero English. I have 1 student who has been in foster care for years. I have 3 students whose mothers have abandoned them. I have 4 students with severe ADHD. I have 1 student whose dad works 2 jobs to support 5 daughters alone.
I want to make a lifelong difference to these deserving children.
My Project
The bouncy bands serve several purposes. They make learning fun. It would be a way to excite the children about coming into the classroom. They are a means of physical activity in this time where physical activity has become so limited at school. Students NEED to wiggle. Rather than putting bottoms up in the air and heads on the floor, this would allow movement that doesn't distract the other students. Students can wiggle and still maintain eye contact with the teacher.
Research shows students retain information much better if they are moving. I fully believe this to be true. Students with attention disorders often need to "fidget." This would satisfy their need and help them focus better.
Students will look forward to coming to school, and future students will be excited about being in my classroom.
The students will talk about these bouncy bands. They will forever remember second grade because of this. I believe that if I can get them excited about learning, I've conquered half of the battle. Not only will these bouncy bands serve the 21 students in my class now, they will serve many students to come.
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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. Ferrell and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.