As an adult, how long can you sit and concentrate without getting up? Some people can go all day in the same spot, while others can’t sit still no matter what they do. Imagine how difficult the same scenario is for children in a classroom!
I’ve had students who just couldn’t sit! They would stand and literally cruise around their desk doing their work. Teachers have had all types of children, staying on task is difficult! We’ve implemented so many interventions, trying to find one that will work.
What are Bouncy Bands?
Basically, a really BIG heavy duty rubber band that connects to the legs of tables and chairs. Students then bounce away without disturbing anyone around them. We noticed children develop their own rhythm throughout the duration of the working period, while others would sporadically bounce, tap, or simply rest their feet on the Bouncy Band.
Initial introduction of the
Bouncy Bands does cause an uproar because everyone wants to try this new extraordinary learning tool. Anticipating just that, (we’re teachers, we know what new classroom items can do) we added the Bouncy Bands to the classroom reward system, after allowing each student time to experience Bouncy Bands.
Students earn tokens for good behavior and characteristics. Each week, students redeem tokens for coupons selecting from sitting with a friend for the day, lunch with teacher, free time on the computer, and now Bouncy Band for the day.
Needless to say, the Bouncy Band is the most requested coupon which in turn has provided a significant increase in good behavior.
We are continually polling students to find out their opinions of the Bouncy Bands, they ADORE them and want them on their desks and chairs all the time, not only when they have the tokens to “purchase” the coupon. With the visible increased attention to class work and decrease in behavior issues, we agree with the kids.
Students love to “wiggle while they work!”
The folks at Bouncy Bands know that teachers spend their own money for purchases and use organizations like DonorsChoose to acquire much needed classroom items. Bouncy Bands has a page dedicated to helping teachers get Bouncy Bands by providing an easy to copy DonorsChoose Application with the beautiful images used in this post (and more) to show potential donors exactly what you’re asking for.
DO NOT stop at DonorsChoose, there are many other classroom funding opportunities available, including your very own classroom newsletter asking parents to help, and don’t forget your school PTO/PTA!
Bouncy Bands are not only for school. Place Bouncy Bands on the chair or desk where students complete homework for added attention span at home as well!
Bouncy Bands provided for this review are helping our classroom of students stay on task every school day.
Leave a Reply