Have You Heard About Bouncy Bands?

Teachers are always looking for A.N.Y.T.H.I.N.G. to help all kids, but especially for those who might need a little extra something something to help them focus. You've read my earlier post about flexible seating {click HERE if you missed it} and some ideas for implementation in your classroom. 

Here's another idea that I KNOW works.

When I was a principal, several teachers provided Bouncy Bands for students who needed that extra little motion to keep them focused on their work.

My daughter  is using them in her classroom this year. Although she thought she had pinpointed the students who would NEED to use them, she was surprised at the kids who ASKED to use them.

One kiddo said he didn't see how that would help him focus, but he's a regular user now.

For those times when they are working at their seats, just that little elastic band helps keep them focused and paying attention to their work.

Bouncy Bands are easy to install and surprisingly quiet. There are two different types--one for desks and one for chairs. If you'd like to give them a try, visit the website by clicking HERE. See the research behind the bands, get info on how to apply for financial help through Donors Choose, and read testimonials from users. If you order by September 30, you can receive  TEN PERCENT OFF your order if you use the code POTPOURRI.

It's worth the time checking the website out. Even if you don't need a classroom set, I really don't think you will regret ordering a few Bouncy Bands for those students you know need them. Don't be surprised, though, if you don't have to make a sign up sheet to rotate them through ALL your students, just like my daughter did.

Ms. Pitner's Classroom Tour

This year, there are two more Pitners contributing to Pitner's Potpourri! My daughter, Martha, and daughter-in-law, Aleck, are both teaching third grade.

Today, I'm going to give you a tour of my daughter's classroom. She's worked hard to get her third grade classroom ready for her new bunch of kiddos. It's been fun for me to see her use some of the same ideas I've always done,  yet with a little twist to make them her own.

My FAVORITE thing she did in her classroom has to be these labels she put on the stools at her small group table. 

She's planning on using them as quick formative assessment at the end of her lessons. The child on the CHARACTER stool will name the characters in the story or answer a character - related question. One of her co-workers helped her come up with the idea. How cool is that!!!

(See a link for the stools at the bottom of this post.)

Her small group area has easy access to all her supplies, the station rotation board, and her questioning bulletin board.

The cute window treatment was quick and easy. She just ripped strips of coordinating fabric and tied them onto twine. Because it was so easy, she also made one for her library and her hallway door. And aren't those little flower pots darling?

 Martha is experimenting with flexible seating this year. Here are some of her kiddos using flexible seating for Word Work.

Martha purchased these lap trays for the kiddos to use when working with their Chrome Books, but they've already claimed them for station work, too. That cute cart by the door is labeled with each class's name so that the kiddos know where to turn in their work. This cart is from Michael's, but I linked to a similar one from Amazon at the bottom of this post as well as to similar lap trays.

Some kiddos still prefer a table and chairs, so be sure to include those options.

 I've already shared her Writing Station cart in an earlier post. The kiddos wheel it to wherever they want to work.

Goals and objectives are front and center.

I LOVE her WOW Work Wall.

 The Word Wall is convenient to the Word Work supplies.

This board will list the expectations for use of the classroom set of Chrome Books once she and the class set them. It's always important for the students to participate in developing the expectations. Gives you much more buy-in!

I'm proud of the cozy, engaging learning space she's created for her students! Stay tuned for the "other" Mrs. Pitner's class. I'll be sharing my daughter-in-law's pics soon.