My students need various flexible seating and work space options such as wobble cushions, floor cushions, yoga ball seats and free standing marker boards to match their varying academic, emotional, sensory and fine motor needs.
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
What makes my students special? To this I say, "What doesn't?" In my world, all students are special. Each child comes from a different background but all for the same purpose: to grow socially and emotionally as individuals and to learn.
This year, I will be working with a diverse set of energetic, excited, and motivated first grade students.
These students come from a range of socio-economic backgrounds, many from lower-income families. They are a mix of ethnic backgrounds, including many English Language Learners. My students also have varying social-emotional and physical needs--some with ADD or ADHD, some with fine or gross motor challenges, and more.
Each, and every student, no matter who they are, deserves to be taught at his/her learning point and to love learning. Teaching students to love learning is what I love to do!!
My Project
One of my many jobs as an educator is to create a warm, comfortable and supportive environment for my students. This year, my goal is to add some flexible seating options for my students to choose from as they work independently or collaboratively in partnerships and small groups. These seating options will help to create that warm, comfortable, supportive learning environment.
A large component of my 1st grade day includes various work stations around the room where students work independently or with small groups, on literacy tasks.
The soft cushions and wobble cushions will allow students to have a variety of seating options while they are "Listening to Reading" or "Partner Reading" in the "Book Nook" or reading station. The set of yoga balls will be a seating option at the "Teacher Table" as I instruct in guided reading and writing (as well as guided Math). A few of the wobble cushions will remain for students to use for "Work on Writing" at the writing table, or other independent work spaces. They are designed to help those with “wiggles” to remain seated and focused because they can move their torso rather than moving in and out of their seat. The two floor chairs can be used both at the library station and anywhere in the classroom for collaborative work.
I feel strongly that flexible seating helps students to begin the process of self analysis and allows opportunities for children to make choices that can positively impact their academic and social development. My teaching experience has shown me that the ability for students to have choice and a variety of flexible seating options allows students to feel comfortable, physically and emotionally, which has shown to increase student focus. Focus, in turn, positively impacts the academic achievement and development of a variety of students.
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