I teach 75 bright and energetic fifth grade math students daily. These students are eager to learn new things every day. Like most children, they love when they are given an opportunity to have freedom and make choices in their daily learning. Despite their diverse backgrounds, my students all come to school with one thing in common, to be part of a unique, safe, and warm classroom community where they are equally important and cared for.
Since each of my fifth grade students has individual needs and learns in a unique way, a flexible environment will help them learn not only math but, also about themselves.
During math class my students collaborate, communicate, and use technology on a daily basis and are therefore strengthening their 21st century skills. As fifth graders preparing to be in middle school, my students need to practice and be given freedom to make independent choices each and every day. A flexible classroom will build their independence and confidence, and will help my students take ownership over their learning. Offering them a variety of seating choices will be exciting and give students the opportunity to learn more about themselves and how they best learn.
My Project
We have been working in a flexible seating classroom this year. Students have the freedom to choose where they would like to sit daily as long as they pick "smart" spots. These are places that are not just comfortable, but also places where students can focus and do their best learning. My students love being given different choices and I love giving them a variety of options. I am always looking for items that I can add to my classroom as flexible seating choices. Students come to my class excited. I believe that creating a positive learning environment where a student feels like he or she has control over their learning is one of the first steps to being a successful student.
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