My students need flexible seating options, such as ball chairs, various types of stools, and floor cushions, throughout the school, specifically in the art, music, and library settings.
Curious, inspiring, creative, outgoing, eager, imaginative, kind hearted, amazing, family...these are just some of the words the staff members used to describe the students that attend our Elementary school. Another set of words was active, wiggly, athletic, and energetic. There is no doubt that the students of Coolidge are always moving their bodies.
It is our job to meet students where they are at in order to help them reach their greatest learning potential, and flexible seating options is one way we can do that.
Our Elementary is located in Neenah, WI and is part of the Neenah Joint School District. Our school services 365 students in grades K-5. Grades K-3 each have three sections with no more than 24 students per class while grades 4 & 5 have two sections with no more than 26 students per class.
My Project
Have you ever used a ramp instead of taking the stairs? Maybe you used it because your hands were full and you were worried about tripping, or you were with someone who physically couldn’t do the stairs, or you were pushing a stroller or shopping cart. At that point, you were using universal design. If we use these types of universal designs to make our daily lives easier why wouldn’t we give our students the same option? Students in our school need flexible learning environments to best meet all their needs. Currently many of our classrooms have flexible seating options but this doesn’t exist in our common areas of the school that we require students to use, including the art and music spaces as well as the library.
A donation to this project will allow all students in the school to have alternative seating options (other than the ground or a regular chair) in art, music, and the library.
Seating options will vary depending on the location and include options for the floor, pulled up to a table, or just an individual seat. Options in seating will allow students to be comfortable, assist with focus, and meet their needs.
Each area of the school that is targeted (library, art area, and music areas), was specifically thought about as to what alternative seating would work in the space and be beneficial to students. The library would be receiving flexible seating for both the floor reading and table areas. The art and music spaces in the cafeteria would receive seating options that work both at tables and as stand alone spots while the smaller music room would get materials that can work on the ground.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Rambo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
