"Mrs. Board I love reading, but I need to be comfortable!" This is what I hear from my budding fifth graders as we Drop Everything and Read after lunch. It's our favorite time of the day, where the whole classroom is reading a self selected novel, just for the sake of reading!
I know sitting at a desk in a hard chair is not very comfortable or relaxing, so I want to offer alternative seating choices for my students during our Reading and Math Workshop.
My students come to school happy and ready to learn, but by mid-morning they are up on their knees, wiggling around trying to get comfortable. Some even stand because the classroom chairs are so hard and uncomfortable! A few parents have sent in a chair cushion for their child, but they slide off and end up on the floor.
My Project
Alternative seating is a choice provided to students that allows them to work around the room and outside to be comfortable and more focused. Bean bags in the reading center, lapboards on the carpet and captain's chairs outside are just a few examples of my project in motion.
The more choices students have the more they feel invested and responsible for their learning.
I want the classroom to feel safe, comfortable and inspiring to my students. The soft padded stools will be used for small group guided instruction. This is where I teach 5-6 students at their level. The additional stools will be in the Writing Center where students can publish their stories. The soft seats will be used during independent work time. After guided instruction, students can find a comfortable spot to work on the carpet or outside. The magnetic rod will be used to hang our "Choice Pocket chart" in the front of the room. Students will move their name card to the alternative seat they choose for the lesson. This will give me a visual where everyone is working and it will allow for all students to have a turn with the variety of seating choices.
Alternative seating provides students the learning environment they need to do their best. I feel students do their best when they are comfortable. Having a variety of seating choices will improve student motivation and focus while they read throughout the day. I anticipate greater engagement, more excitement and a higher desire to learn
Gold Medal Bean Bags Wet Look Vinyl Bean Bag, Medium/Tween, Blue
• Amazon Business
$45.49
3
$136.47
Fat Catalog ALT-1100-SO Assorted Color Metal Stack Stool with Padded Seat, 17" Height, 12" Wide, 12" Length, White/Blue/green/Orange/Yellow/Purple (Pack of 5)
• Amazon Business
$41.73
2
$83.46
DD370X - Soft Seats - Set of 6
• Lakeshore Learning Materials
$55.00
1
$55.00
Kenney Magnetic Rod, 16 to 28-Inch, White
• Amazon Business
$14.99
1
$14.99
Materials cost
$289.92
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$26.53
3rd party payment processing fee
$4.35
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$350.80
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$61.91
Total project goal
$412.71
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$412.71
12 Donors
-$392.71
Donations toward project cost
-$333.80
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$58.91
match offer
-$20.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$17.00
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Board and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
