My first grade class has 27 students who are excited about learning and work so hard every day. We are a Title I school, and have many students who receive free and reduced lunch. We also are located in an area with many ELL students who speak Arabic in the home. Some of my students have only been in the country for a year or less and are still so motivated and hard working!
These students inspire me every day and I want to do everything in my power to inspire them as well.
Having a classroom where they feel comfortable to work, learn, and be themselves is my biggest desire for these students. I want continue to give them a classroom that they are proud to be a part of, and where they will grow every day.
My Project
A flexible environment where students are given options to choose seats and to discover where they can best learn would be a game changer for so many children. First graders are still so young and sitting in a straight-backed chair at a standard desk isn't necessarily the best way for them all to learn!
I give my students daily options to sit around the classroom, and I always am helping them to find a comfortable spot where they can do their best work.
I know that new flexible seating options would be great tools to help them find these spaces and be successful in first grade.
I am planning to keep a few desks in the room for students who do need a clear space that is theirs, and I already have a few wobble stools. I would like to add to my classroom new stools, a variety of floor seating, yoga balls, bean bags, and portable plastic desks for students to complete work with. I know that my students this year and in the future will benefit tremendously from this new classroom set up.
I also have a special reason behind wanting to start flexible seating this year: a student in my class has brittle bones disease and uses a wheelchair. Up to this point, she has only been given the option to complete her work at a desk. Flexible seating would give her more autonomy and freedom to choose her work space, something I believe will create more success.
Nearly all 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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