Jump Around!!!

Recently, my coworkers and I have been on Fitbit's Workweek Hustle Challenges (we received Fitbits as Mother's Day gifts).  I wondered how one of my coworkers was getting her 20k+ steps a day in. She told me about her trampoline. She let me borrow it the other day and WOW! It's so awesome to have in the classroom! I hop on it when I get a chance to add more steps towards my daily step goal. The best part is my students LOVE it as well!   
I purchased one by inMotion on Amazon (click on link) for under $30! My coworker found hers at Aldi's for under $25.  The Aldi version was a spring type trampoline, and I noticed that it did make a creaky sound as soon as a student jumped on it. 

I love the one I purchased on Amazon. This one comes with band tension resistance springs.  NO MORE SOUNDS! 

It's a quiet jump which helps during Read to Self in our Daily 5 or when students are working on individual work.  I did set up some rules to keep students safe and prevent bickering on who has a turn. Anyone can jump whenever the trampoline is free. They cannot jump when someone is speaking, during tests, or when we enter the classroom from recess or specials. They are allowed 35 consecutive jumps per subject. For instance, when I am finished with any mini-lesson and students begin their independent practice, students may jump when the trampoline is free. They are not allowed to line up or stand around the trampoline when someone is jumping. When a student is ready to jump they MUST step on and step off the trampoline. NO JUMPING ON OR OFF OF IT.  Their feet may catch the safety pad that surrounds the trampoline.

This has helped get their wiggles out on rainy days. It also helped them refocus on their tasks. And it's a fun quiet way of getting their exercise in!  

I ended up purchasing two more trampolines! Two for the classroom and one for me at home! 

Happy Jumping! 

Enjoy!!! 

Standing Desks on a Budget or even FREE!

A Stand2Learn standing desk and stool. 

(Courtesy of Stand2Learn)

I really want to try those STANDING DESKS I keep reading about in educational journals and blogs. I was researching how to do a flexible seating arrangement in my classroom when I came across this concept about standing desks. I looked online to purchase one of those cool tables with a fancy pendulum footrest and realized that I didn't have the funds for one.  My principal suggested that I can save a "whole lotta" money by simply raising the legs of my students' desks! Um...why didn't I think of that? I raised the legs of a couple of student desks I had in the classroom. AND...my kids love it! They love doing their work in the standing stations!  Granted, this will only work maybe up to third grade as desks can go only so high.   Ok...ok...you might have beat me to the punch, but I just found out about this wonderful easy way to get them for free! So, I am spreading the love to those who want to try out standing desks!  You're welcome!   

A few of my students like to sit in the high stool while working. 

 They use a stepper for the whole one leg up thingy that comes when you actually purchase a standing desk...oh, yes, the pendulum footrest...that thingy. We found that a step stool does the same thing. 

Move two desks together and you have a four top! Wala!

Fluffy Fuzzies Once Again!

I use Pom-poms (or fuzzies as we call them) for my classroom management. Students who earn 20 fuzzies can turn them in for a coupon. You can get freebie coupons like this one from Stories by Storie. Or make your own coupons. I do take away a fuzzy if students are not following our classroom rules. But...what I wanted to share happened upon me by accident. After a couple of years, my fuzzies were beginning to look icky. I would spray them with Lysol to kill the germs, but it just made them look so sad! 

The other night, I washed my apron and forgot that I had fuzzies in my pockets. I never saw them when I transferred them to the dryer.  After a good wash and drying time, they came out fluffy! They almost looked new. I decided to take the rest home and I washed and dried them in a lingerie bag. I have fluffy fuzzies once again! 

Enjoy!