My students need flexible seating to minimize disruptive behavior in the class and to optimize learning by allowing students an alternative to choose a seat that fits their learning style.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Sweet's classroom raised $1,001
This project is fully funded
My Students
I teach a diverse group of 6 students, 3 females and 3 males with Autism between the ages of 4.5 and 6. Three of my students are non-verbal and three are minimally verbal and use voice output device and/visuals to communicate. Most of my students come from low income families and most of the parents do not speak English. We are on the 4th floor of the General Education school with very tiny classrooms which is challenging for students of varying needs.
My Project
I invested in one crate, filled it with materials and placed a pillow on top and used it as a chair. As a result, I noticed the student with frequent outbursts was able to stay in seat for up to five minutes during math class to complete a requested task. Unfortunately, it didn't last because the students kept pulling things out of the crate and I had to resort back to using the uncomfortable metal chairs.
Research has shown that children with Autism learn best when their seating arrangements are diversified, so myself (Special Education Teacher) and an Occupational Therapist conducted extensive research to incorporate "flexible seating" for all students in my classroom to allow them autonomy to choose a seat based on their learning style, thus optimizing learning, minimizing disruptive behaviors, and creating a student centered classroom.
Each student will use a visual board to indicate the seat he/she wants to utilize for the day or for a given period. Students will choose floor seating during morning meeting, read aloud, group work using the smart board, or writing using lap table to sit on the floor to complete work. Flexible seating will increase students motivation and engagement in learning.
The two seater sofa is perfect for the corner of my classroom for two reasons: 1) so students can take turn to read quietly instead of sitting on the rugged hard wood floor 2) so two students with severe sensitivity and difficulties to work with the whole class can complete work on the sofa by using a lap table.
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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