My two classes of 53 fifth grade math students are a joy to teach. They are positive, enthusiastic, and want to learn. We grow and push ourselves every day, becoming a family along the way- celebrating our similarities and differences. As fifth grade is the last year of elementary school in our district, I work hard throughout the year to prepare students for middle school by encouraging them to take control of their own learning and make decisions that are going to help them be successful.
Students make incredibly positive choices for themselves when given the opportunity.
I try to teach and incorporate a variety of learning strategies and alternative seating choices to meet my students’ needs. Not all students learn best sitting at a desk in a chair. I want to offer students as many choices as possible so they can learn what is most effective for them. Flexible seating options optimize our learning environment- helping students maximize their own learning, improve engagement, and take responsibility for their behavior.
My Project
There is considerable evidence that movement increases attention spans and directly benefits students with sensory processing disorders, ADHD, low tone or processing disorders. The Mayo Clinic found that the “ability to move around while sitting made the students more attentive.” Some kids need more movement than others. For kids with SPD or ADHD, being in motion allows their brains to be engaged. “Movement actually allows for alertness and attention.” Educators who use alternative seating report benefits particularly in hyperactive students, but note benefits in attention, behavior, fitness, and handwriting in ALL students. The book "Teaching with the Brain in Mind" by Eric Jensen demonstrates that “movement can be an effective cognitive strategy to (1) strengthen learning, (2) improve memory and retrieval, and (3) enhance learner motivation and morale.” Interestingly, “flexible, welcoming spaces had a startlingly large effect on learning in math—73 percent of the students’ progress that was attributed to classroom design was traced back to flexibility and student ownership.” Researchers best guess for this fact is that, “academic subjects that provoke anxiety—in math, that’s a known issue—are better addressed in classrooms that feel comfortable and familiar to students.”
Flexible seating allows for movement and gives students more control and responsibility over their learning, improving academic engagement.
I have slowly been converting my classroom into a space where there is ample student choice in seating arrangements. Students can choose learning environments that work best for them and are also given the opportunity to move without getting in trouble. I have noticed increased student engagement, academic motivation, improved behavior, and excitement for learning. I want to continue giving my students these opportunities by providing them other options including wobble stools, floor seats, portable desks, and a welcoming carpet. I look forward to seeing the benefits these choices provide for my students.
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