We are a learning community of 3rd/4th grade students and function in a seminar-workshop model; students participate in seminars that are delivered at their level and when they are in workshop they work on learning tasks at their level. In workshop we like to provide a comfortable environment.
Our team is one of ten in a K4-5th grade elementary school of around four hundred students.
Our teachers and students work in collaborative teams and focus on personalizing learning. The team I teach in consists of third and fourth grade students, and two teachers.
Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, have different needs and are all different types of learners. We also are an inclusive classroom. There are all types of learners, including kinesthetic learners. They are faced with rigorous tasks throughout the school day and learning opportunities that help develop independence, perseverance and 21st Century skills. When they are working in workshop they are often working independently or with a partner/small group. We like to provide a variety of seating arrangements and alternative seating; these include traditional tables/chairs, futons/couches, floor work spaces, etc. With this students are able to find areas in the classroom that support their learning.
My Project
In my first three years of teaching I taught in a kindergarten and first grade community. I was fortunate enough to get four Hokki Stools, however these were the 12" ones. They will be in my new learning community, but will not be suitable for all students. With third and fourth graders I want to have Hokki Stools that will be more comfortable and easily used by students that are older and taller. These will allow students that are too tall for the 12" ones to have this option available. These stools rock and move while staying put in one spot. Students will be able to sit at a table to work, but sit on something that allows them to move which is very beneficial to our movers and shakers.
Overall these four stools will take a resource we have and make it more available to all the students in my team.
Students who never stop moving are able to move safely, responsibly and in a way that allows them to keep working. A lot of students learn better when they are able to move. By using these stools in the past, I have seen the benefits to having them available. I have also seen students who are usually squirming in their seats more calm and focused.
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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. Sturomski and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
