Fort Collins, Colorado (The Weekly Vice) -- If your student's classroom performance has been looking a little flat lately, a Fort Collins teacher claims to have found the answer - and she has the balls to prove it.
Tiffany Miller, a fourth-grade teacher at Bauder Elementary school in Fort Collins, Colorado has implemented a strange idea that she and her students are raving about. She removed her student's hard plastic chairs and replaced them with stability (exercise) balls. It's a move she says has improved her student's performance.
"We know with brain based research that when you are actively sitting, your brain is more engaged. The other reason is the posture is better, which means that there is more blood flow going to your brain," said Miller.
Miller contends that balancing on the ball helps students stay focused and remain engaged - and come to think of it, she has a point. Better posture leads to more alertness for longer periods of time.
That's teacher speak for saying... Clown around too much and you might just end up kissing the carpet. (I'm beginning to like this idea).
Miller points out, however, that a stability ball allows students to move around, which minimizes restlessness and fidgeting. "I am a huge fan of being able to fidget," said Miller.
Miller's idea is not unique. Stability balls are now marketed for educational purposes and have been implemented in classrooms for several years now. Case studies seem to be showing therapeutic value for back pain patients who find relief using the ball instead of a hard work chair.
Perhaps the most convincing testimonial of a stability ball's merits come from the students themselves.
Students usually like using stability balls so well, teachers are able to use them as an incentive for following classroom rules. If the rules aren't followed, a student may be subjected to the hard, plastic, dorky chair their parents once had to sit on...... Yikes.
The Weekly Vice Opinion:
So there you have it folks. Kids sitting on balls - and it's all the rage. It sounds crazy I know, but I actually like the idea. I want one now.
Danny Vice
The Weekly Vice
http://www.theweeklyvice.com
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10 comments:
hey i remember those plastic desks and and after about 3rd period i would do anything to get out of my seat
I've been wanting to try one of those out, just for the reasons specified in the article. From the sound of it, it would do wonders for my back.
I've heard of some offices replacing chairs with these things too. I think I'm going to have to look into it.
It'll also be a good vent. It's always good to have something to kick when your stressed at work.
I want one too, but not likely for what Angry Georgian has in mind.
i wish we had these at my school, maybe then i would have paid more attention and gotten better grades, not that it matters anyway since my chances for juliard dissappeared when i hurt my knee.
the plastic chair industry is going to put a stop to this....like big oil killed the electric car
yeah, and like the 80's put an end to the bean bag chair.
I don't see how I could sit upright like that all day long. Wouldn't that be tiring?
i wonder if the teacher allows them to have bounce breaks to get it out of there systems
I smell a lawsuit. Some kid is going to bust their stupid head and their parents are going to be suing mad.
actually, I have one for exercise and you'd be surprised how easy they are to sit on. They roll when you're not on one, but stay in place with your weight on them.
They take up a lot more space, so I don't see this working in all schools.
A lot of students already sit on balls, and have been for years. From the male teachers.
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