Minimum Class Size: 6

Maximum Class Size: 20

Midterm Enrollment: Yes

Class Time: 6th hour (2:30-3:25)

Prerequisite: None

Estimated homework hours: 0

Required Materials or Books:

• Students are encouraged to have two to three racquetballs to practice with at home.  No required in class materials.
• Supply fee covers balance boards, racquetballs, and demonstration DVD for in-class use.
  

Class Description:  We will be learning to bounce juggle individually, with partners, in groups, and even on balance boards. While it seems like it is all fun and games, the exercises improve auditory and visual processing skills along with the obvious hand-eye coordination. Bounce juggling helps integrate left and right brain functions and improves ability to focus. These foundational skills underlie much of the learning process and can benefit everyone from struggling learners to gifted students. The first exercise is as simple as throwing and catching a bean bag. This is quickly followed by bouncing and catching a single racquetball. Students advance at their own level and pace until they are bounce juggling several balls in various patterns.                   
                       
We will be using the Bal-a Vis-x (BALance, Auditory, & VISual eXercise) program as the model for our class. To learn more about this program, and how it supports mental growth see: www.bal-a-vis-x.com.  To watch it in action, see:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDxOeoBVKwU&NR=1               
                       
Practicing at home will obviously increase benefits and help students to progress, but this is not a requirement.             

Depending on the interest and how quickly the students learn, we may have some opportunities for students to be a part of bounce-juggling demonstrations.

Teacher Information: Mrs. Howard discovered Bal-A-Vis-X (aka bounce juggling) as a fun way for her own family to increase neurological development.  She quickly found how much she enjoyed bounce juggling even when her two daughters weren’t around.  Since then, she has been able to share it with others and has seen faces light up as students master a new skill!  She first taught math as a public school teacher and is now in her 6th year of homeschooling and 3rd year at the Brazos Valley Co-op.