Is the "Fidget Spinner' craze here to stay?

By
Abby Strack

Recently, i've come across several news articles and videos talking about a new 'toy' that has taken over classrooms across the country.  This gadget is called the 'Fidget Spinner', and it's meant to help channel restless energy that can sometimes build in students while having to stay put in their seats all day at school.  They're also said to help increase things like memory, focus, and information retention.  However, many schools across the country fear that these 'must have office toys' are actually having the opposite effect.  They are a distraction for students who are choosing to focus not only their restless energy, but all of it, on these trinkets during class time.  Unfortunately for opponents of the 'Fidget Spinner', they are already high demand items for elementary and middle school students across the country, and while they may just be a passing craze, their popularity is undeniable and they will likely be present in schools for the forseeable future.  What do you think?  Are items like this helpful or harmful when it comes to making sure students are staying as engaged as possible?  Not familiar with the 'Fidget Spinner'?  Here are a couple of articles to help fill you in.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/teachers-fed-up-with-fidget-spinner_...
http://whotv.com/2017/05/10/fidget-spinners-new-toy-is-spinning-out-of-c...