I teach third grade at a K-5 rural, Title 1 elementary school with students from a variety of backgrounds in South Mississippi. This year I have the opportunity to teach Reading and Language Arts to about 40 students whose abilities range from intellectually gifted to students with learning disabilities. We love to learn, laugh, move, explore, and make good choices as we support our school's motto "We are Responsible, We are Respectful, We are Ready to Learn, We are WARRIORS!"
Although my students come from a variety of homes and backgrounds, all bring something special to the group.
As a teacher, my hope is to make my classroom a special place where students can feel safe and learn to collaborate with their peers to solve real life problems. I want all of my students to leave my room knowing that no matter where ever they may presently be in their life, that there is always room for growth.
My Project
I want to bring more flexible seating options into my classroom. On top of having numerous health and behavioral benefits, flexible seating, also known as alternative seating, has has been linked to increased motivation and engagement in students by giving them a choice of what kind of learning space works best for them. Flexible seating helps students to communicate, engage in critical thinking, and to work more collaboratively.
I want my classroom to become a “learning lounge”, where my students are comfortable, engaged, and productive.
In my classroom, I want students to have options of where they would like to learn in a way that is most comfortable to them. I want it to become more student- centered, like a classroom of the 21st century should be. Students will know that the work isn’t optional, but choosing where they sit, can be. This will in turn help my students to feel more invested in their learning and increase student engagement. As research has proven time and again, not all students are alike and have the same learning needs. Similarly not all students are able to sit in a desk while instruction is being presented for countless hours a day. Many students have the need to wiggle, sit on their feet, or even stand while learning. This is why I am requesting more wobble stools to help complete my flexible seating classroom.
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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. Benefield and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
