My students need a variety of options when it comes to where they work like stability balls, wobble chairs, bungee chairs, cushions for the floor, and disks to stand on.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Castro's classroom raised $681
This project is fully funded
My Students
I teach at a title 1 school in San Diego. I have had the amazing opportunity to loop my students from third all the way to now fifth grade. We have grown together, learned together, struggled together, persevered together, laughed together, and yes even cried together. Moving from third to fourth brought on nine more students. Throughout the years we have welcomed new students with open arms and grown from 25 to 34.
At our school we strive to teach the students our school virtues.
Be kind, respectful, tolerant, empathetic, fair, and use our self-control and conscience. Our classroom has become one of support, encouragement, discovery, and teamwork leading us to hardly be sitting at our desks. At any given time you will see students tucked into corners reading anothers' writing, laying on the rug reading books, standing at the back of the room with clipboards working math problems, and even outside the door trying to find a personal space that is quiet so they can concentrate.
I want my students to know that I not only see their differences and needs but understand and accept them as well. Our classroom is out home away from home!
My Project
The dynamic in our classroom has changed throughout the past few years not only because we have developed a deep bond because we have been together since third grade, but because we have shifted to more of a cooperative learning setting. My teaching has evolved as we have become more project-based with a focus on collaborative groups, so our furniture layout should also evolve.
I want my classroom to be inviting, encouraging, and engaging.
Each year I try to condense my teacher items and furniture to make more room for my students. This year I got rid of my teacher desk and created a table for small group conferencing. Desks are in pods to promote collaboration, problem-solving, and encouragement. We have a meeting area on the floor where we can come together as a class or they can lay and work. The library has a couch so they can dive into books comfortably. Our small group area has bucket chairs with cushion lids that double as storage.
Having alternative seating such as wobble chairs, standing stability disks, cushions for the floor, and yoga balls will give my students options as to how they want to learn and be successful. Learning will be done in an environment that is flexible, engaging, and twenty-first century. Some of my students need movement, some need comfort, but they all need the opportunity to learn.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Castro and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
