This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Teaching kindergarten is such an exciting place to be with mixed interests, abilities, and goals. Some of my students are learning to read, write, and count. Some of my students are learning social skills as well. I teach in a Title I school setting where more than half of my students fall below the poverty line.
In this class setting, we are striving to build a classroom community that includes everyone and their unique situations by instilling a sense of family and setting high expectations for everyone.
I am one of two kindergarten teachers in this small urban school setting; we are both general education teachers with an inclusive classroom setting. As my students make their way to the classroom, they have the expectation that we are a family and we all have the same goals to be successful in our community and classroom setting. The work we do in this classroom is building relationships so that we are better citizens in the classroom as well as home, working with the group, following directions, and accessing general education content in different ways. We celebrate little wins together each day. We treat each other as if we are a family.
My Project
Flexible seating allows students to take charge of their learning and make the choices that work best for them. During independent work times, they choose a location in the classroom that works for them. Currently my students are choosing to work in a variety of locations in our room such as: at different tables, sitting under tables with clip boards, or sitting or lying on the floor with a clip board. Making sure students are comfortable is an essential component in motivating them. I have noticed amazing differences in my students when they are given a choice in their seating. They almost always make good choices about where they sit, are more engaged, and get more work completed than when they are just sitting at their desk.
My students are noticeably more engaged in their work and less disruptive of their peers when they are given a choice of where to work.
The products that I have selected will help my students by giving them additional seating options to make more effective learning choices. The carpet is colorful and will provide a great learning space for students to share, grow and learn! These spaces that are provided will be extremely beneficial for some students that just need to get the wiggles out. It can also be used as an alternative learning space if needed and the squares are large enough to stretch out and read! The comfy floor seats will allow for additional comfortable floor seating options in my kindergarten classroom.
I have seen how choice can positively affect my students work and demeanor and hope that the additional options will help us grow even more!
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. Palmer and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
