More than a third of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
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This year, I was given 2 yoga balls for Christmas. I decided to use them in my classroom as an incentive but was also told that having students use them who have specials needs such as ADHD and anxiety would help them to feel and be more successful in class. Wow, isn't that the truth!
However, I've noticed that ALL students who are able to bounce and balance on these yoga balls have better engagement and focus in class. The simple act of bouncing or the task of balancing on the ball keeps students' brains engaged and awake. It also minimizes restlessness. Bodies that are less restless will result in students who do not feel the need to take as many bathroom breaks, less up and down out of their seat and overall less off task behavior. What does all of that mean? More focus on learning in the classroom!
My students jump at the chance to be able to use the yoga ball when they are sitting at their desks and the amount of focus and determination I see when they are working is unbelievable. It even supports classroom management 100%. Students will work hard and behave better in order to have the chance to sit on the ball. However, right now, rotating 2 balls around a classroom with 32 students isn't enough to allow all of them to truly reap the benefit of using a yoga ball while in class. I would love to provide my students with access to this research based learning technique.
About my class
This year, I was given 2 yoga balls for Christmas. I decided to use them in my classroom as an incentive but was also told that having students use them who have specials needs such as ADHD and anxiety would help them to feel and be more successful in class. Wow, isn't that the truth!
However, I've noticed that ALL students who are able to bounce and balance on these yoga balls have better engagement and focus in class. The simple act of bouncing or the task of balancing on the ball keeps students' brains engaged and awake. It also minimizes restlessness. Bodies that are less restless will result in students who do not feel the need to take as many bathroom breaks, less up and down out of their seat and overall less off task behavior. What does all of that mean? More focus on learning in the classroom!
My students jump at the chance to be able to use the yoga ball when they are sitting at their desks and the amount of focus and determination I see when they are working is unbelievable. It even supports classroom management 100%. Students will work hard and behave better in order to have the chance to sit on the ball. However, right now, rotating 2 balls around a classroom with 32 students isn't enough to allow all of them to truly reap the benefit of using a yoga ball while in class. I would love to provide my students with access to this research based learning technique.