I like the velcro strip idea - it sounds discrete, quiet, and anchored in place. Unfortunately, these other sensory toys have all been disastorous in my intermediate class. Students lack self-control. Toys are flung across the room - or are manipulated to destruction then parts distributed among each other and thrown around the classroom. It becomes a sensory nightmare! I've started confiscating items and throwing them out immediately.
I always keep batches of homemade play dough in my classroom. During testing season I would add different flavoring not for eating but for scent stimulation. Flavoring is less likely to cause irritation to the skin than essential oils, and I work with teens who know their own allergies. Peppermint/ spearmint has research baked memory boosting abilities and lavender or citrus can be calming depending on the student. Unlike slime play dough can be scrapped off when dry or soaks off with water so clean up is easier when a mess is left.
I love a lot of these ideas. I agree that the fidget spinners and popper things (I can't remember the real name of those) become more of a status symbol. My middle-school aged kids would always be trading them and then arguing about the trades. Thanks for the ideas!
I have let students bring in fidgets; sometimes it's OK but other times it just becomes a distraction. The squishy balls get gross and dirty. I had a student that liked fidgeting with a rubics cube, which I thought was fine, as long as he wasn't supposed to be writing. I have balance boards in my classroom and I sometimes let students stand on these, especially if I see them tipping back in their chair. I am thinking of having a box of kinetic sand in the back of the classroom for students who are done with work, or just need a little sensory break.
Not sure who made the decision for the shapes and forms in which these items have been created. But my students would say the same thing. 🤦🏽♂️😂 Then again just about anything can be mentioned in class and turned into a sex joke. Classic teenagers 🤷🏽♂️
Pet peeve: Students destroying pencils as a fidget supplement. This year has been the worst. They destroy traditional pencils, mechanical pencils, and ink pens. These are free items to them. They don't realize someone is paying for them, like their parents or me. I have spent literally hundreds of dollars this year on pencils. More than any two or three previous years combined. Any advice for this specific pop fad?
i mean.. are you giving them fidgets instead of pencils? i feel like you sorta answered your own question. if you already have an alternative available, then forgive me for assuming ❤
@@machinegurlll Shame on me for wanting people to learn to function in the world? No, shame on you for wanting everyone to kowtow to your problems. People have to learn to function no matter what their problems are. The world is not going to change for you. You have to adapt to the world.
This was so helpful! I had a drawer with sensory toys last year and my students LOVED it! I didn’t realize how much kids need this
I like the velcro strip idea - it sounds discrete, quiet, and anchored in place. Unfortunately, these other sensory toys have all been disastorous in my intermediate class. Students lack self-control. Toys are flung across the room - or are manipulated to destruction then parts distributed among each other and thrown around the classroom. It becomes a sensory nightmare! I've started confiscating items and throwing them out immediately.
I always keep batches of homemade play dough in my classroom. During testing season I would add different flavoring not for eating but for scent stimulation. Flavoring is less likely to cause irritation to the skin than essential oils, and I work with teens who know their own allergies. Peppermint/ spearmint has research baked memory boosting abilities and lavender or citrus can be calming depending on the student. Unlike slime play dough can be scrapped off when dry or soaks off with water so clean up is easier when a mess is left.
This is an awesome idea! How long does a batch of homemade Plato typically last?
I love a lot of these ideas. I agree that the fidget spinners and popper things (I can't remember the real name of those) become more of a status symbol. My middle-school aged kids would always be trading them and then arguing about the trades. Thanks for the ideas!
12:22 reynolds confirmed crow 🐦⬛
🤔
I have let students bring in fidgets; sometimes it's OK but other times it just becomes a distraction. The squishy balls get gross and dirty. I had a student that liked fidgeting with a rubics cube, which I thought was fine, as long as he wasn't supposed to be writing. I have balance boards in my classroom and I sometimes let students stand on these, especially if I see them tipping back in their chair. I am thinking of having a box of kinetic sand in the back of the classroom for students who are done with work, or just need a little sensory break.
Do your middle school boys NOT use the stretchy banana etc. as phallic symbols? 😂 Love some of your ideas!
I mean it sometimes feels like anything can be used that way. 🤷🏽♂️ It’s a weird age.
All of your food products are phalic my middle school boys would love them
Oh my goodness! I was thinking the same thing. 😂
Not sure who made the decision for the shapes and forms in which these items have been created. But my students would say the same thing. 🤦🏽♂️😂 Then again just about anything can be mentioned in class and turned into a sex joke. Classic teenagers 🤷🏽♂️
Pet peeve: Students destroying pencils as a fidget supplement. This year has been the worst. They destroy traditional pencils, mechanical pencils, and ink pens. These are free items to them. They don't realize someone is paying for them, like their parents or me. I have spent literally hundreds of dollars this year on pencils. More than any two or three previous years combined. Any advice for this specific pop fad?
Reynolds has another video on management of classroom supplies. Sorry I can’t remember the title.
i mean.. are you giving them fidgets instead of pencils? i feel like you sorta answered your own question. if you already have an alternative available, then forgive me for assuming ❤
They need to learn to cope with their issues not be given things to distract them from their issues.
🤨 as a former autistic kid (now adult), shame on you
@@machinegurlll Shame on me for wanting people to learn to function in the world? No, shame on you for wanting everyone to kowtow to your problems. People have to learn to function no matter what their problems are. The world is not going to change for you. You have to adapt to the world.