My students need flexible seating options. Yoga balls, stools, bean bag chairs, bungee chairs, and chairs on wheels are all great options for student seating in the classroom.
I am an 8th-grade English Language Arts and Creative Writing teacher in a small school district. I teach at a Middle School building that houses about 240 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
I meet with 95 students throughout the school day.
I teach four English Language Arts classes, one Creative Writing Class, and an Intervention class where I work with struggling students. Most of the class periods have approximately 20-25 students in them from various backgrounds. Although the majority of my students are Caucasian, I do have African-American and Hispanic students. I also have a Spanish speaking student that moved in the district from El Salvador. I have several advanced learners as well as students on IEP's (Individual Evaluation Plans). Many of my students are from low-income homes (over 40% are on free and reduced-price lunches), but all are great kids! They are hard workers who make the most of what they have.
My Project
Society is changing and the way we work and learn is changing, too. For years, teachers (myself included) have put desks and chairs in rows and have expected students to sit on those hard chairs all day long. Students are uncomfortable and as a result, they lose focus and do not complete their work or learn. My goal as an educator is to motivate each student to learn as much as they possibly can while they are in my classroom. Do they really need to sit in hard chairs to do that?
Flexible seating is a fairly recent concept that is being introduced into classrooms across the nation.
Research has shown that flexible seating promotes collaboration and communication and empowers students to learn in a comfortable setting. I would like to transform my classroom from the old traditional rows of hard chairs to a flexible and comfortable classroom. Beanbag and bungee chairs will allow students to be in relaxing chair while they read and write in my class. A lot of students struggle with sitting still. Yoga balls and chairs on wheels will allow them to wiggle about as they complete their work. Stools will also give students options of where they want to sit. I also plan to add low tables to my room that will allow students to sit on the floor.
Although flexible seating is somewhat new, I have read positive research about it. I am a 22-year veteran teacher who runs a very structured and disciplined classroom. I believe that I can continue to give students desk and chairs as I know some will still choose that option, but I am open to what works for my students. My plan is to give students options so I can optimize their learning. Isn't that the true goal?
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