"You'd be surprised how many kids really need to move while learning." - Adrienne O'Brien
I work with a diverse group of elementary special education students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP).
In addition, I service at risk students who qualify for AIS (Academic Intervention Services), needing additional instruction in reading and writing. My groups include kindergarten and first grade students who receive services in the resource room. While each student in my care has different academic and/or special needs, they all have significant difficulty maintaining attention to task and appear to benefit from some form of movement while learning. Allowing for some movement during our work has been helpful, but proves to be disruptive at times. The goal of this project is to obtain 6 ergonomic ball chairs to create a learning environment that appropriately allows for movement. In addition, having something "cool" to use in my resource room would help to promote intellectual curiosity and excitement for learning in the small group.
My Project
Research shows that children who sit on ball chairs instead of traditional desk chairs show increased focus and ability to pay attention to their lessons. According to research published in The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, "Children with ADHD often display a shorter-than-normal attention span and frequent fidgeting. Sitting on the ball chair allows students some movement as they learn. The slight body adjustments required to balance on the ball are natural and non-disruptive and provide an outlet for excess energy" (Roth, AZ Central). I plan to use these chairs during my intensive small group instruction. The chairs will promote increased focus and movement, leading to higher levels of productivity. In addition, students will strengthen their core for overall improved posture.
Donations will help me purchase items I wouldn't other wise be able to afford.
Providing the appropriate movement my student's little bodies need would be monumental for their learning. This is particularly important since the intensive instruction I provide helps my students acquire the skills missed in the large group setting. If my students are open and readily available for learning during their remedial lessons, I truly believe they will be able generalize those skills to the classroom.
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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 Mrs. Hinson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
