This year, some students in my class sit on a yoga ball. A yoga ball helps us to sit up straight and improve our posture. I have also realized that the movement while sitting on a yoga ball helps my students to focus on the lesson. There are numerous benefits for using yoga balls in the classroom.
I teach english, math, social studies, and science to 25 sixth graders in a self-contained classroom.
My class is a mixture of all ability levels. Some students are gifted, reading at the high school level, while some students are very low level readers. Our Intermediate school includes grades 4, 5, and 6. This is the first year that we have had a class set of yoga balls. The students have a choice to sit in a chair or on the ball, and 99% choose to sit on a yoga ball. The problem is, I do not have enough balls for all of my students.
My Project
Research has shown that when your body is engaged, your brain is engaged. When given the option, nearly all students say they prefer sitting on a yoga ball compared to a desk chair. Students are actively sitting. Most students see an improvement in their ability to pay attention, concentrate, take notes, engage in classroom discussions, and take exams. The yoga ball improves their focus and their physical development. This year, our class schedule has my students sitting at their desk from 7:45 to 10:45 with no breaks or movement to another room. The yoga ball would allow my students much needed physical movement while stimulating their brain.
In a yoga ball classroom, students bounce slightly, or move side to side on the yoga ball while the teacher is talking.
When it comes to working time, the student stops moving and they focus on their work. Students who sit on a yoga ball are able to direct their natural kinesthetic energy and need for movement, in a positive way. Your donation will provide the much needed extra yoga balls to our class.
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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. Ciuba and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.