If there is one word to describe my students this year, it's resilient. After being in school only 7 days, they had to wait 7 weeks until they could enter our classroom again due to Hurricane Florence. Late October, we were able to come together and re-establish our classroom community, despite the destruction the hurricane caused.
Being a Title I school, my students have come from many different backgrounds.
They each bring with them a set of different experiences as well as different sets of skills and abilities. Many children are experiencing a school setting for the first time and cannot recognize the letters of the alphabet or even their own name. However, they all bring an eagerness to learn and natural curiosity that should be explored through a safe environment, such as my classroom.
My Project
After Hurricane Florence devastated our town, I told myself this year would have to be about flexibility. Having to start day 1 all over again late October was no easy task, especially for my twenty five year olds. Despite the destruction that has gone around us, I want to ensure that now more than ever, my students are comfortable in my classroom and that I meet all of their needs. One way I am meeting their needs and giving ownership back to my students is to give them more choice in our daily activities. The best way I can do this is through flexible seating.
Flexible seating will allow my students to take control of their learning and make positive choices for their learning.
Through the use of the wobble stools and wobble seats, I can ensure that my students who have a "few extra wiggles", have a seating option that allows them to get those wiggles out. My students who are more comfortable reading or working on the floor will be able to do so with the use of the floor pillows and floor seats. My hope is that by allowing my students to make these choices, they will become more engaged and motivated to do their best work.
Despite the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, I know that with these flexible seating options I can reach the needs of all my students and allow them to be comfortable in our classroom.
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