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Goal

Last year my class liked to “Move it, Move it”. Thankfully, my Champions for Learning grant was funded by Champions for Learning and we learned that movement is what it’s all about. My goal is to keep the momentum and movement going and to “Just Keep Moving!” I purchased equipment from www.moving-minds.com as well as www.amazon.com with the grant funds after recommendations from other moving teachers. I learned what equipment works and what equipment I would like to purchase more of so that more movement throughout the day is possible.
My goal, to increase student’s level of activity inside my classroom learning environment with the hopes to improve their academic performance level across all subject areas, remains the same. I saw the results of movement in the classroom first hand, students became more engaged and were able to stay engaged for longer periods of time. I noticed an improvement in focus, memory and cognitive flexibility, all of the traits a recent study stated would be improved by physical movement. My goal continues to be that students using this equipment would gain improved concentration, recall and comprehension across subject areas due to their increased movement and mobility.
My ESE cluster classroom continues to have students who struggle with the traditional expectation of sitting still in their seats. These students bounce their legs, twist in their seats and look for any excuse to get up and move. Moving is beneficial to students, having classroom-friendly equipment that allows for movement enhances a classroom. Giving students the opportunity to move at their seats allows them to satisfy the need for movement while they are learning. Allowing students to move takes the distracting need for movement away so that students can focus and attend to the instructional tasks or activities they are expected to participate in. There will always be “active whole body” learners and the equipment I have chosen will help these students be more engaged in classroom activities and lessons on a daily basis. This website is a great resource for these type of students: http://www.learningstyles.org/styles/kinesthetic.html
I want to connect with students who need movement throughout the day so that they may engage and participate in more classroom academic activities and instruction. Purchasing these different pieces of equipment will allow students different ways to exert their energy and still participate in classroom learning activities. There are many different types of equipment for the various needs of students. This equipment would not only be used in my ESE clustered classroom. There are some pieces of equipment that will follow students from last year. I am happy to share the equipment across the 3rd grade or throughout the school should the need arise. The classroom-friendly equipment was made with durability and long term use in mind.  

What will be done with my students

Like Dory told Nemo “just keep swimming,” I’ll tell my students “Just Keep Moving!” My students will be encouraged to move throughout the day! Students will be introduced to the various pieces of equipment and encouraged to use them respectfully throughout the day as needed. Expectations will be taught on how to use the tools properly to avoid distraction to other students. The following items were selected with student input after looking at many different options.
The “Kore Wobble Chairs” and the “ergoErgo Seats” are for the students who never seem comfortable in a traditional chair. These students sometimes squat or “perch” in their seats or rock back and leave only two chair “feet” on the floor. There’s always the danger of falling and it does happen quite often. The “Kore Wobble Chairs” and the “ergoErgo Seats” would allow them to move and sit at the same time. We had four total, two of each, and they were very popular seats with my students last year. I hope to purchase more so that they may be at desks or a specific center.
The “Inflated Stability Wobble Cushions” are for students that like to rock in their chairs. These “discs” have different textures on each side, one is smooth while the other has plastic bumps which provide a sensory input that many students found soothing and comforting. I had six of these discs last year and would like to purchase enough so that each student in my class can use one.
The “UltraFit™ Resistance Bands” would be attached to the student’s desks as a place for their feet to rest or bounce. I would use about 30 inches of the band per desk and tie it to the front legs of each desk. The 50 yard roll would more than accommodate my entire classroom.  

Benefits to my students

My classroom changed last year when my “Move it, Move it” grant was funded. My idea of what a classroom full of engaged learners looked like changed as well. Students can be, should be, moving while learning. My student’s participation in classroom instruction and activities increased when the equipment that allowed them to move became part of my classroom. Students were more focused and paid closer attention to their tasks while satisfying their need to move.
Students benefit from movement when their bodies are active and alert. The more they move, the more ready they are to receive and retain new information. Purchasing this additional equipment would allow active students to be more physically active in school while continuing to have fun as they learn in the classroom. Students who struggle with staying focused during lessons will be able to use the equipment that would help improve concentration which in turn should lead to greater success in all areas.  

Budget Narrative

The equipment needed for this proposal can be purchased through an amazing website geared towards the goal of the proposal, www.moving-minds.com. Other equipment is available at a reduced costs, with no detriment to quality, through www.amazon.com. After reviewing all of the available products, the most relevant, kid approved and budget friendly options were selected with the goal in mind.

Moving-Minds.com
www.amazon.com 

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