Middle school students have an endless supply of energy. Seriously, it’s like they’re powered by an invisible battery! When we expect them to sit still for hours on end, it’s no wonder many struggle to keep their focus. That’s exactly what middle school teacher Jessica Harmon from Martin Middle School in Raleigh, North Carolina, discovered.
“When I transitioned from teaching elementary to middle school, I immediately noticed my students had a tougher time concentrating,” Harmon shared with Babble. “It wasn’t that they were being disruptive on purpose; they just had a lot of built-up energy. I began researching ways to let them move around without sacrificing class time.”
Inspired by innovative trends like treadmill desks and balance ball chairs, Harmon stumbled upon Desk Cycles—pedaling contraptions designed to fit right under desks. Although she was excited, the cost was a bit daunting.
Fortunately, Harmon found a grant opportunity through 4C For Children, which funds projects that promote creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. After presenting her case, her school snagged a $2000 grant, proving that pedal desks could fulfill all four criteria. “I argued that allowing movement would help my students concentrate better, leading to enhanced critical thinking and creativity,” she explained to CBS. “As they focused more, they developed a deeper understanding of the material, which helped them collaborate and communicate their ideas more effectively.”
Once the desks arrived in April, the results were almost immediate: “Within the first week, my students told me they felt they could focus better.” Not only did the pedal desks help with concentration, but they also improved academic performance. “I saw an uptick in both the quality and quantity of student work… last year, my struggling students had a staggering 50 percent reduction in missing assignments!”
Kids are bundles of energy, and finding a way for them to release some of that energy physically can help their minds zero in on subjects like math. As physical education classes dwindle and recess time shrinks, creative solutions like pedal desks are more crucial than ever. Harmon highly recommends desk cycles to any school: “Some days, students walk in with a ton of energy or stress, and they know that pedaling can help them unwind.”
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In summary, pedal desks may be the answer to help antsy middle schoolers channel their energy into improved focus and academic performance. By integrating movement into the classroom, educators like Jessica Harmon are paving the way for a healthier, more engaging learning environment.