I teach in a pre-K through 5th grade school in Iowa but we are unique in that we are located on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River! We have recently have become a International Baccalaureate World School. An IB school is one that teaches students to be globally minded, lifelong learners through an inquiry approach. We help instill learner profile attributes and attitudes in our students, as well as skills that will help them be successful as lifelong learners.
Do you remember being in school and having all this extra energy in your body that made it hard to concentrate and focus on what your teacher was trying to teach you?
I am trying to fill my classroom with different items to use the energy and enthusiasm that 5 and 6 year olds naturally have, in ways that help them to reach their full potential. They come to me each morning with a love of learning and an excitement to be in school!
My Project
Our school has recently adopted a "trauma informed approach" to learning. Many of our students lives have been impacted greatly by trauma and we see the effects in our classrooms. The goal for this project is to help my students decrease negative behaviors that stem from trauma by providing them with ways to move their bodies while still completing work tasks. Flexible seating can provide a way for students to choose the right kind of seat for what their bodies are telling them they need.
Allowing students to choose a seating choice that is right for them, gives them an increased motivation to learn and allows them to stay focused longer.
Currently in my classroom, my students can choose from several types of seating such as laying on rugs with clipboards or standing at a tall table. The Wobble chairs and air cushions I have chosen will give them additional choices to help them with the need to wiggle. I also chose a Ready, Set Move Activity set to help with all the energy. These energetic learners will be able to wobble while learning to read, write or count!
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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. Rotert and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.