My students need Gaiam Kids Stay and Play Balance Balls for flexible seating in order to help them stay focused on their academics and increase their learning achievements this school year.
As a teacher in a low-income and high poverty school district, my students are faced with challenges both in and out of the classroom. Despite the many challenges they face, I am looking to close the gaps in their education by helping them be more comfortable in the classroom.
How can we close the achievement gap when students have difficulties focusing on the lesson in uncomfortable desks and chairs?
My class serves students with various academic abilities, a range of disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disabilities as well students who struggle with ADHD and ADD. The typical student in my class is working below grade and struggles to stay focused on lessons due to being in an uncomfortable setting.
I can't imagine trying to do a job well done in a plastic chair that is wobbly, broken and pinches, or one that snags my hair. Everyday my students race to get a good seat in my classroom; let's give all the students a chance and give them more flexible seating options!
My Project
Hard plastic chairs, broken seats, chairs that snag and pinch... NO thank you! When you are sitting in desks all day long and learning, comfort should be considered! Flexible seating is not just a fad. Adults get to choose the chairs they sit in everyday in their homes and offices, why shouldn't students have that choice?
My students need choice and flexibility throughout their day to be able to learn and grow academically in a classroom!
Using stability balance balls this year will allow my students to able to move around, feel comfortable, and have a choice in where and how they learn. When working with students who have the option of flexible seating, I have noticed an increase in their learning, focus and completion of assignments. Sometimes it can take students a few minutes to get comfortable in their hard plastic chair and start an assignment. If that takes place during every subject throughout the week, over an hour of learning can be lost! By the end of the school year, we are looking at almost 40 hours of squirming in a plastic chair! Now multiply that by 22 students, it's mindboggling!
If I'm honest, even teachers even have a challenging time when attending a training and have to sit in a students desk! By having a balance ball for each of my students it will reduce their time off task and allow them to be more comfortable in the classroom and ready to start their learning off on the right foot every day!
Gaiam Kids Stay-N-Play Children's Balance Ball - Flexible School Chair, Active Classroom Desk Seating with Stay-Put Stability Legs, Includes Air Pump, Lime, Junior (52cm)
• Amazon Business
$19.99
6
$119.94
Gaiam Kids Stay-N-Play Children's Balance Ball - Flexible School Chair, Active Classroom Desk Seating with Stay-Put Stability Legs, Includes Air Pump, Grey, 52cm
• Amazon Business
$19.43
6
$116.58
Gaiam Kids Stay-N-Play Children's Balance Ball - Flexible School Chair, Active Classroom Desk Seating with Stay-Put Stability Legs, Includes Air Pump, Blue, 52cm
• Amazon Business
$20.31
5
$101.55
Gaiam Kids Stay-N-Play Children's Balance Ball - Flexible School Chair, Active Classroom Desk Seating with Stay-Put Stability Legs, Includes Air Pump, Orange, Junior (52cm)
• Amazon Business
$19.99
5
$99.95
Materials cost
$438.02
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$6.57
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$474.59
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$83.75
Total project goal
$558.34
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$558.34
10 Donors
-$558.34
Donations toward project cost
-$474.59
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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 Mrs. Salabarria and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
