Middle schoolers are like tiny tornadoes of energy, constantly on the move. It’s a challenge to get them to sit still, let alone focus for long periods. That’s where innovative solutions like pedal desks come into play. Educator Sarah Thompson from Maple Grove Middle School in Ohio recognized this struggle firsthand and was determined to help her students channel their energy more effectively.
“When I transitioned from teaching elementary to middle school, I noticed my students had a much tougher time concentrating,” Sarah shared with us. “It wasn’t that they were trying to be disruptive—they just had a ton of energy to burn!” In her quest to find a solution that wouldn’t interfere with valuable teaching time, she stumbled upon Desk Cycles—compact pedaling machines that fit neatly under standard desks.
Worried about the cost, Sarah applied for a grant from Creative Learning Initiatives, which funds projects that promote creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. To her delight, her school secured a $2,000 grant, as her proposal showed that these pedal desks could enhance student focus and engagement. “By allowing movement, I believed my students would be better able to think critically and express their ideas creatively,” Sarah explained. “When they’re focused, they grasp the material much better and can work together more effectively.”
After purchasing the desks in April, the results were almost instantaneous. “Within the first week, my students were telling me they felt they could really concentrate,” Sarah noted. Not only did the pedal desks boost their focus, but they also positively impacted their assignments. “I saw a 50 percent decrease in missing work from my struggling students last year,” she said.
Children are bundles of energy, and giving them a way to physically release that while learning allows them to focus on the task at hand—like, say, algebra. With physical education classes being slashed and recess time dwindling, tools like pedal desks are more crucial than ever. Sarah believes every school should consider implementing them. “On days when they come in feeling stressed or pent-up, they know that pedaling for a while will help them settle down,” she added.
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In summary, pedal desks might just be the innovative solution to help restless middle schoolers focus while releasing some of their boundless energy. As more schools consider such creative approaches, we can hope for a more engaging and productive learning environment.