‘No kicking and no throwing,? said five-year-old Hailee.
Those are the rules in Michelle Smyth’s kindergarten class at Webber Elementary. They seem like normal rules, except in this case, they apply to two-foot yellow bouncy balls students use in place of chairs.
The balls are part of Smyth’s approach to brain-based teaching, which focuses on retaining information through movement. It’s a technique used in many kindergarten classes, the teacher says, that one might recognize in the form of singing with motions.
In her classroom, the technique is taken to a different level with bouncy ball seats ? something that Smyth says she hasn’t seen in practice anywhere else.
Two additional rules ? bottom on the ball and two feet on the floor ? keep the classroom safe, though Smyth says she hasn’t had any problems thus far. Just a little goofing around.
‘We still have chairs for an option if kids are being unsafe,? she said.
Students sit on the balls for about an hour to 90 minutes in small increments throughout the day.
The teacher notes that students move around from station to station and classroom to classroom a lot.
In the few days Smyth’s class has used the balls, she says she’s noticed improvements.
‘They’re focusing and paying a lot more attention to what their body is doing,? she said.
Sitting on a bouncy ball requires concentration and allows them to get any ‘wiggles? out without getting up from their work, says Smyth. Students bounce or rock while they read or think.
‘It keeps blood flowing to the brain,? Smyth said.
Sitting on bouncy balls also helps build core strength and large motor skills, the teacher says, adding many young students have difficulty sitting upright on the floor or even in chairs.
‘We’re giving them a tool and a way to [sit up] instead of always saying, ‘sit up straight, sit up straight.??
Smyth added that kids who haven’t developed fine motor skills, like writing, have improved in just a few days.
‘They’re focused more,? she said.
Smyth purchased the balls through a $500 grant.
Right now, hers is the only class in the district to use them as chairs.
‘Who knows? In a couple years, it might be all the rage,? she said. ‘I do believe in this 100%. At Webber, we’re looking at ways to help students to do better and learn better.?
The teacher even has a larger, green ball at her desk in the classroom, and one at her computer at home.