Flexible Seating=A Fantastic Setting for Storytelling
My students need various flexible seating options, such as a high-top table, stools, a gaming chair, and round chairs for musculoskeletal health and safety, and to maximize their learning potential and engagement.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
I teach at a Special Education Center High School for students ages 14-19. Our amazing program is located in Detroit, Michigan. We have three wings that serve students with Autism, Cognitive Impairments, and Severe/Multiple Impairments. We service students from the entire City of Detroit. Our school has 204 beautiful, young people with varying strengths and weaknesses. Their backgrounds are as diverse as their abilities. I have students whose parents are my colleagues and students who live in boarded up houses. Some come from 2-parent homes, and some come from three different homes. We are all unique, but we are definitely a family here.
My Project
Flexible seating is essential in today's best classrooms! Studies have found that extended sitting negatively affects the development of the musculoskeletal system, leading to health disorders such as cardiovascular problems, poor posture, back pain and neck pain. Furthermore, once utilized, flexible seating has been shown to improve student motivation and engagement. This research is something that can not be disregarded by educators. A significant percentage of students in our program are already dealing with issues affecting their musculoskeletal systems when they enroll in our program. They need diverse and comfortable options for seating that will be supportive to their development and encourage core strength.
All students in our program require special consideration when it comes to work space design and seating, whether it be for physical, cognitive, or behavioral differences.
These items will allow for the healthiest, most beneficial seating for all of our students! The table and chairs will allow for interesting standing and sitting possibilities. The stools will be utilized at classroom learning stations. The dry erase spots will assist with classroom management during flexible seating option time. The gaming chair and round chairs with coffee table will allow for student choice and variety. The wobble cushions can be used for floor seating or at traditional desks.
Room 40 students are currently participating in a Sign Language Digital Storytelling Project. This flexible seating proposal would help to provide 4 distinct work areas in class, allowing several groups to work at once on different scenes. This would be terrific for our storytelling project.
These various flexible seating options will promote the best development for my students, and therefore, the best learning environment. We appreciate your concern for the health and safety of our students, and toward the best educational environment for all!
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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. Paterson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
