We are a rural community in Northern New York, about 10 minutes from the Canadian border and 15 minutes from a Native American Reservation. We have a wide variety of students that attend our school, with 56% of them receiving free or reduced lunches and 25% of our 7th grade population has been identified and receive special education services.
Our community has hit hard times with the closing of many factories and stores within the last few years.
Many students find it difficult to come to school prepared and focused with so much uncertainly in the lives at home.
A number of our special education students not only have difficulty with learning but with behavior problems as well. There are quite a few students that have a tough time with impulse control; blurting out answers, difficulty sitting still, inability to follow directions due to lack of focus/attention.
As a result of their behavior problems these students often miss a lot of class time since they are sent out of the room regularly because they are such a distraction to other students in the room. These are good kids that just need an outlet for their behaviors.
My Project
Flexible seating will allow students that need to fidget and move to do so without distracting others. Many of the students that are in need of these flexible seating options are students that have been classified with special needs, the Wobble Cushions and Balance Ball seats will give them an outlet to get out all their jitters while staying in the classroom and not missing out on instruction.
Flexible seating is a "double win" in my book because it will benefit the special needs students, by allowing them to stay in the classroom, but also the general education students because there will be fewer disruptions.
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