Our school here in Minnesota is filled with so many unique students. Being a school in which over half of our students qualify for free and reduced price lunch services, our students often come to school having experienced more trauma than we could imagine. My classroom is a mixed group of students, some who qualify for free and reduced price lunch services, some who are Special Education students, and some who are English Language Learners. In addition to this, students this year are facing even more trauma than before. Having lived through a pandemic, and work through two years of different forms of schooling, their needs are far beyond what most imagine.
We have incredible opportunities for our students to express themselves both academically and creatively, because what is even more unique about our building is that we are an Arts Magnet school.
That being said, a personal goal of mine as a teacher is to foster all forms growth in my students. My students are a part of a learning environment that involves flexibility and choice, as well as freedom to grow into the unique people they are!
My Project
Having worked with some flexible seating in the past, I have seen what an incredible outcome it has on student learning. When given a choice, my students sit where they feel they can focus on learning the best. Being comfortable with their seats makes them comfortable with their learning environment, and they are able to focus on their learning.
I have also seen students learn to show such compassion for one another using flexible seating.
It was not an effect I had expected to see, but watching students give up their favorite seat so another student can try it for a day has been so heartwarming. My students are respectful of the seating available to them, and have even become more respectful of each other as a result of it.
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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 Mrs. Kelley and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
