Balance in the classroom.
Today I was brainstorming with one of my coworkers and friend about how to incorporate the balance board in the classroom. We've both been teaching for over 25 years combined and are always ready to try something new...especially in this day in age, where kids in the classroom seem like a box of 64 crayons, versus the standard box of 8 back in the day. So, here's what we were thinking:
A lot of kids have a difficult time focusing, without moving. As you may have seen or heard, moving around in the classroom is disruptive, especially when the students are required to be seated. So, with the balance board, a child can sit on the balance board, and still move around from side to side (and get a core workout while doing so). This is different from sitting on a balance ball, as the board won't roll away. I think cushions would also work, but have a somewhat different effect.
So, guess what? I tried it the next day and it was awesome. A few of the kids were given balance boards. When we were having a discussion, they were rocking side to side on their balance boards, but not disrupting class. Nobody cared that they were rocking, because they were so quiet. They even participated in the discussion and lesson for a whole hour. The focus and balance was amazing.
