On the ball: Classrooms try out ball chairs for muscle use, balance

When three kindergarten teachers spearheaded a movement to use exercise-ball chairs in three classes at the new Hillcrest Elementary School this year, parents and even some staff questioned their sanity.

Armed with research, the trio came to principal Brad Winter last year with a request to try out the balls, foregoing the usual chairs found in classrooms.

They ordered 66 of the large round, rubber balls for their students, about 22 per classroom, including a few extras.

When the new ball chairs arrived, that’s when the reality hit.

"We were OK with them, but people would come over and see the balls and say, ‘You guys are crazy,’ " said kindergarten teacher Jen Clark.

By KATHY BROWN Gillette News-Record

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/article_77d5db50-f420-11de-a29d-001cc4c002e0.html