I would like to do a Donor's Choose project for a class set of stability balls. There are a few teachers in my school who allow students to bring their own in. However, in my experience, many of the students who could benefit from using them the most are the same students whose families would have a difficult time affording them. Plus, I don't think families always fit students properly, even though there is a letter sent home. (Sometimes I think the kids bring one that their parents had lying around.) So, I would like to go with a class set! I have 2 questions: 1) If you have experience with stability balls, which size would be best for most 2nd-graders? The smallest I have found are 45cm and 55cm. Of course my kids vary in height, but they are generally around the same size. Plus, each size fits a range of heights. 2) Which type of ball do you prefer: a regular ball with a base, or the ones with legs (or udders, as I call them). I originally wanted a ball with a base (they seem more stable), but the balls with legs are less expensive. Edit: It looks like the balls with legs will be about $250 cheaper than buying the balls with a separate base. I still like the bases more, but I want the project to get funded, so I'm leaning towards the less-expensive route. This is the style I am considering: http://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?minisite=10206&item=1080464
I have no experience with them, but that is a super cool idea to get those for your classroom. I have a ton of donors choose ideas lined up for this school year. Alternative seating is def on my list for my kindergartners.
I got my chair balls funded through Donor's Choose a few years back. I went with the 45 cm balls for my 2nd graders. It took some playing around with how much air to put in them to get them exactly right but that size seemed to work well. I got the kind with the "udders" and I really like them. They fold up like they're supposed to when the kids sit on them but work well to keep the balls from rolling away when not in use. Of course each year I have to teach, reteach, and reteach again to get the kids to actually sit them on their feet when they're not using them! Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll do my best to help. I think getting my chair balls was a great decision.
Thanks so much for the feedback! I was worried that 45cm balls would be too small. Are they too small for some kids, or do they all do well with that size? I just can't believe the price difference. Upgrading to 55cm raises the cost by about $200!
They seem to fit everyone fine. I had a student last year who was very tall (like at least 3rd grade size) and he seemed to sit on the 45cm ball without any trouble.
