Comfortable and Confident Students Accomplish Goals With Flexible Seating
My students need a safe place in the classroom to learn freely and be active by using stability ball chairs, floor seating options, and stools rather than confining desks.
We are a Title 1 school with over 90% of students receiving free and reduced lunches, which means that most of my students come from a low income household. No matter what environment my students come from, I always try to welcome them into my classroom and make them feel at home and comfortable. I serve some students that are lower scoring students and many have ADHD and other disabilities that require them to move around to learn. The traditional desk does not serve them well and they need alternative seating that allows more movement. The students are constantly moving and scooting chairs trying to get comfortable and in turn are distracting themselves as well as their peers. This opportunity will give children from all backgrounds and varied incomes an opportunity to learn and thrive within my classroom.
Who learns better?
A student confined to a plastic chair and desk or a student that is comfortable and able to move freely in their area?
My lively third graders enter the classroom ready to put in work to reach their goals. I am so excited to equip and empower my students to take control and be actively involved in their learning.
My Project
After studying the benefits of flexible seating, I have decided to provide my students with flexible seating in my classroom. Having flexible classroom seating will have many benefits for my students. The seating arrangement will allow the students to easily and more naturally collaborate with their peers. The students will also have more control over their learning by not being confined by a traditional desk. By being more comfortable and not being tied down to one area, the students will be able to perform to the best of their ability all day. With this opportunity, my students will be able to collaborate, work comfortably, and do their best everyday.
By giving the students a seating option, they will be given the opportunity to make good choices about how to learn, where to learn, and whom to learn with on a daily basis.
This situation will minimize the distracting clutter of the inside of a traditional desk. There are many benefits that come with having a student centered, flexible classroom. The students will feel empowered because they are given control over their environment. It is obvious through research that physical activity enhances the learning process. Because flexible seating allows students to stand, bounce, rock, or fidget, they will be more comfortable and active and in turn perform to the best of their ability in the classroom.
A second grade teacher, Kayla Delzer, explains, “The students we share our classrooms with don’t know life without constant connectivity, Wi-Fi, and a global audience. Our classroom environments should be conducive to open collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. This simply cannot be done when kids are sitting in rows of desks all day.”
Please help me provide the best possible education to my students by donating to our project!
Kore Patented WOBBLE Chair, Made in the USA, Active Sitting for all ages, Toddler thru Pre-Teen; Kids don't have to sit still anymore -The BEST seat in any Classroom! - Blue - Junior (16in)
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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. Norsworthy and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.