I
recently wrote about a teacher in Texas who plans to have
her 4
th grade students sit on exercise balls instead of chairs,
having discovered that it has a number of positive effects. My excitement was
tempered when I read that this “privilege” would be taken from the students who
made “poor choices.” Sadly, this reflects the “either/or” thinking that entraps
too many of us. We see a false dilemma: either I implement strategies that help
kids
or I maintain effective control of
the students. When confronted with these false dilemmas, we can look for a
“both/and” solution. More often than not, solutions exist (or can be created)
if we’re willing to persevere and refuse to settle for “either/or” answers that
leave us unsatisfied.
I was delighted to read about a “both/and” solution in an
article entitled
“Standing Desks: The Classroom of the Future?” Whereas exercise balls can result in problems (the
whole kids making “poor decisions” fiasco), this strategy uses desks that are
raised so students can stand during class. Best of all, stools are provided for
those students who want to sit or at least take a mini-break from standing.
Not only did most kids prefer to stand – “After six
weeks, 70 percent of the students never used their stools to sit and the other
30 percent stood the majority of the time they were at their desks” – they
burned more calories and, perhaps most importantly, “according to the
researchers, standing ‘actually improved attention, on-task behavior, alertness
and classroom engagement,’ said (Monica) Wendel, director of the Center for
Community Health Development at the Texas A & M Health Science Center. ‘In
fact, after several weeks, the teachers requested that their desks be raised
also.’”
Whereas the use of exercise balls in lieu of chairs seems to
invite the unnecessary “either/or” dilemma for teachers, the use of
“stand-biased” chairs provides a host of health and educational benefits
without corresponding challenges.
It’s encouraging to read about innovations that reflect
creativity and a willingness to develop “both/and” practices that allow
teachers to maintain appropriate classroom control while providing kids with an
environment that promotes good health and learning.
***
As always, if you enjoyed this and found it useful, please
send the link to your friends. Thanks.
Bob Sullo
PO Box 1336
Sandwich, MA 02563
For information about books by Bob Sullo and to schedule a
keynote, workshop, or series for your school, agency, or parent group visit
www.internalmotivation.net
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