Help me give my students increased focus, self control, attention to classwork/lectures, increased work completion while decreasing impulsive behaviors by using the 30 exercise balls in class to replace their typical classroom chair.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
I have the unique experience of being a mental health school based therapist. Why is this unique? It is unique in that I get to work with the students of my school 5 days a week in what is at times their most difficult environment to succeed in and at other times it is the most successful and safest environment they experience. Being in the school allows these students access to services and individual therapy on a daily basis when they need it most, an option not offered in out patient services.
My students have diagnosis of ADHD, PTSD, DMDD, Separation Anxiety Disorder and many more, making them each "uniquely you", a core value we stress in our school.
In therapy and in our school overall, we stress and embrace each other's uniqueness, building on what each of us brings to the table. We work to help build character, community and strength in our students and families.
My students are inner city students that are already faceing some of life's most difficult struggles while growing up. We have a global outlook of "healthy me, healthy you, healthy world" in our school.
My Project
Students with mental health diagnosis often struggle with attention, focus, hyperactivity, work completion, safe classroom boundaries and the need to be in motion. By placing at least 1 exercise ball in each classroom, it allows for students that struggle with these areas a healthy alternative to the standard classroom desk/chair. The exercise/balance balls allow students to have their bodies in slight motion, while using muscles to remain in control while sitting. This physical outlet of the body muscles will often then allow the brain to slow down and remain more focused on tasks in class. I have used this intervention with numerous students and teachers report back increased work completion, increased classroom participation all while decreasing class disruptions and negative attention seeking behaviors.
My goal is to place a minimum of 1 ball per classroom for students to utilize when they are struggling with focus and concentration.
The balls will be available to the entire student population, not just those receiving individual therapy services. Teachers can utilize the balls as incentives for positive behaviors in class as well as interventions for students they see struggling with hyperactivity, impulsivity and lack of focus.
To date, I have placed 2 balls in the 1st grade class so far this year and have received very positive response from both students and teachers. Teachers are reporting increased focus, increased work completion, increased grades all while decreasing negative attention seeking, hyperactive and disruptive classroom behaviors. Students are reporting feeling positive and successful.
Please help me reach this goal to help students in every classroom of our school.
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. Henegar and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
