Can you imagine being in the same area off and on for more than four hours with only two seating options? Option one is in a plastic chair and option two is on the floor. Although my students make the most of having a classroom in a portable, I've noticed over the years that some of my students could be more focused on their learning if they simply had more options for their physical bodies.
If we value differentiated instruction, why can't differentiated seating be valued just the same?
All of my students are exceptional thinkers and by fourth grade, many of them have a myriad of strategies they use as learners. But if I'm being honest, about sixty poercent of them truly stay focused and show active listening and participation skills in a traditional chair. The other forty percent just need to move! To balance this, my students really enjoy five to ten minute brain breaks like Coseeki, A Warm Wind Blows or Scoot. All of these require students to move their bodies while also having fun and getting to know each other. Having flexible seating options would be a game-changer in our classroom!
My Project
Seating options like wobble chairs, cushions and balance balls will give my students differentiated seating options when their bodies need to move. This will allow my students to stay in the classroom more, instead of having to take a break outside or go to the restroom just so they can move their body.
Being in a seated position is required for such a large part of the day that I want to provide students with as much choice as possible.
Having flexible seating will give students that extra boost when they're feeling like their body doesn't want to catch up with their brain.
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