Our school is in a high poverty area where about 75% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch. Every day, my 2nd graders wait for the first bell on a blacktop playground. They enter the circa 1960's ground level open concept building and place their backpacks in their old, blue lockers. As soon as they enter their learning space in The Pod, however, a carefully crafted and colorful world opens up to them!
My students are amazing, energetic kids who are enthusiastic about learning!
Our school is a personalized learning school! This means that my students benefit from having voice and choice in how they want to learn. This also means that I require extra supplies to allow my students to guide their own learning.
I love teaching my students and I view my classroom as a training ground, charged with the task of preparing each child to be successful in the 21st century. I want to be able to give them all the tools they need to make learning fun and enjoyable.
My Project
My 21st century creative problem solvers will use flexible seating to improve their performance in the classroom. Students who can move, even a little, and who can have voice and choice of what to sit on, have a much better chance of thriving. When students have voice and choice in their learning, they learn important decision-making skills. To enlarge my current inventory of alternate seating and to meet the needs of my incoming group, I am asking for a total of 9 wobbly stools, 10 soft cushions, and one large bean bag.
My students love to learn, but after 10 minutes on a hard chair or on the hard floor, even the calmest of students start to squirm.
Students will use these wobbly stools at our group tables and at their desks. They will also use the big bean bag chair during independent reading -- instead of sitting at their desk or on the floor. Students will use the soft seat cushions while sitting in front of the SmartBoard, or during independent time. Voice and choice in seating helps students take ownership of their learning, and gives them practice at making decisions!
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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. Munch and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
