We Like to Move it - Stability Balls to the Rescue!
My students need a class set of yoga balls (24) and 5 hokki stools to channel their physical energy in a positive way, allowing them to focus on their work.
"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." ~Tom Hunter, National Association for the Education of Young Children.
The Green Team is a dynamic, creative, and innovative group of 24 fourth graders.
There is a lot of movement in my class already- we take brain breaks, sing and dance, and collaborate on the floor so we can get out of our hard plastic chairs. Some of my students wiggle, some like to stand, some like to rock side to side. Some are learning English. Some process information visually or auditory. Gone are the days of one size fits all for learning. My goal is to create a classroom that is as engaging and dynamic as my students.
My Project
When a child sits on a stability ball, they are able to direct their natural kinestetic energy and need for movement in a positive way, because the child on a stability ball has to constantly move his body on the chair to maintain his balance.
So rather than squash a child's innate need for movement, stability balls channel their physical energy in a positive way, allowing them to focus on their work more completely and reach their full potential as learners.
My plan is for each child in my class to have access to a stability ball when they sit at their desk.
The hokki stools will be used during small group instruction. Replacing the hard, plastic chairs with seating that will create a natural movement will bring oxygen to the brain. The result? Learning opportunities will be plentiful. This little change will have a big impact on the my students today and in the future.
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