Sitting on a floor that has been walked on by over 65 students each day is NOT COOL! Being a Language Arts teacher in a public middle school in Brooklyn, I have run into some tough kids. But even the toughest of students shouldn't be laying around on a dirty floor while they are trying to read. In my school, I am happy if I have enough books to fill up my classroom library each year, so asking for furniture has previously always been out of the question... until now.
In my school, I teach my two Language Arts classes for 94 minutes each per day. That's a long time to be confined to a desk and chair for anyone... especially for energetic 11 year olds. So when it comes time for my classes to read or work on some creative writing, I often try to suggest the floor. But then after a quick glance at the floor, not many students seem interested, and you can imagine why. With some fresh new furniture in the classroom, my students will have the opportunity to stretch out and be comfortable while they work. I want them to be excited about what is in their Language Arts classroom.
A couple of bean bags will go a long way! My students will be overjoyed if they had the option of working on a soft, comfy bean bag in lieu of their hard wooden chairs or cold classroom floor. The longer they are comfortable translates to the longer that they will want to read and work. So by providing some MUCH NEEDED furniture, you will in return be extending the amount of time that they want to work. Imagine that... kids learning MORE just because they are happier and more comfortable with their environment!
On the surface, this proposal may seem like a teacher just wants a few colorful chairs for his classroom, but in actuality, it is much deeper than that. My students will strive to sit in our new classroom additions. They will compete academically to have the "honor" to sit on one of the chairs that will be designated for the student who has worked the hardest that week. Maybe they will be able to focus longer if they are not confined to an old, uncomfortable chair. Maybe they will be able to understand more if they are spread out inside the classroom as opposed to sitting at crowded tables. Maybe they will learn to take more pride in their surroundings if there was something in their classroom that they really appreciated... like some new furniture. These items will be able to be used every day for years to come.
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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 Mr. Rosenzweig and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
