My school serves two different communities who promote and foster positive learning environments. They are incredibly deep thinkers who enjoy hands-on projects and practical learning. I like to pose real-life problems that they can apply their learning to something practical and meaningful.
They have the ability to excel, just need the belief to succeed.
Some students come from broken homes, are at a financial disadvantage, and some may not have solid family support or the confidence to excel in school, so any way to foster a positive learning "safe haven" is an absolute must in my classroom. My students need that place to feel welcome and safe to learn and their best potential and to have a sense of belonging in high school.
My Project
Learning starts with being comfortable in the classroom. Students work in small groups to either study for a test, work on an inquiry (STEM) project, or even solving problems. I have hand me down tables and chairs for collaborative learning. This works because this creates a sense of communication within the groups. Eventually, I will like to expand the furniture to a variety of seatings, which includes stand up desks and stools. With group learning and preferential seating arrangements, students may be more engaged in their group projects and case studies. After reading about flexible seating, I wondered if this could work in my classroom.
The products I selected are small in numbers, but a start to promoting collaborative learning.
Students who choose to stand at a desk or sit on a stool can do so without disrupting others and provide choices for students' comfort level of learning environment. Those who rather sit at a table and chair have that option as well. With the implementation of the whiteboards, students can generate ideas at their seats and post their designs and plans for their projects or case studies.
Eventually, I would like to expand other ways of flexible seating so students can create their own environment within the class community to promote their own learning and success.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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. Unten and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
