Middle school students are known for their boundless energy, making it a challenge to keep them seated and focused during class. Recognizing this, educator Sarah Jenkins at Riverside Middle School in North Carolina sought a way to help her students concentrate better. “When I transitioned from teaching younger kids to middle school, I noticed my students struggled to stay focused,” she explains. “It wasn’t that they were trying to be disruptive; they just had so much energy to release.”
In her quest for a solution, Jenkins was inspired by innovative concepts like treadmill desks and standing workstations. She stumbled upon Desk Cycles, a clever pedaling device that fits neatly under desks. However, budget constraints initially worried her.
Fortunately, Jenkins discovered a grant opportunity from 4C For Children, which funds projects that foster creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. After presenting her idea, her school received a $2000 grant, demonstrating how pedal desks could meet these educational goals. “I argued that allowing movement would enhance focus, encouraging deeper thinking and creativity among my students,” she shared with CBS. With improved focus, students could engage more meaningfully with the material, collaborate effectively, and express their ideas clearly.
After implementing the pedal desks in April, Jenkins observed remarkable changes almost immediately: “Within a week, students reported feeling more focused.” The positive impact extended to their academic performance as well. “I noticed a significant improvement in both the quality and quantity of assignments submitted. Students who previously struggled showed a 50 percent reduction in missing work.”
Children are inherently energetic, and providing an outlet for that energy can help them direct their mental focus onto subjects like math. As physical education classes dwindle and recess time decreases, such innovations are becoming increasingly vital for our youth. Jenkins wholeheartedly recommends pedal desks to other schools: “On days when students arrive feeling restless or overwhelmed, they realize that a session of pedaling can really help.”
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In summary, pedal desks are proving to be a game-changer for middle school classrooms, helping students manage their energy while enhancing their focus and academic performance. As educators like Sarah Jenkins innovate to meet the needs of their students, such tools can transform the learning environment for the better.