I have the privilege of working with approximately eighty 6th, 7th, and 8th-graders. I teach both Reading and English Language Arts. My students are engaged in reading and writing, but they often feel confined by the current traditional seating arrangement. Not all students learn or work best sitting in rows on plastic chairs. I would like to create a more welcoming and comfortable work environment for my students. My instruction places heavy emphasis on creativity and collaboration, and I would like for my room arrangement to be more conducive to that type of work. My students come prepared to learn and grow each day, and I would like to provide them with a warm, inviting, and comfortable place to work that appeals to the different learning styles in each class.
My Project
Research supports the use of alternative seating in the classroom and reveals some benefits to these arrangements. These benefits may include increased attentiveness, concentration, and engagement (Wyatt). Such benefits are not limited to elementary school classrooms. In an article written for the Associated Press, Fort Collins, Colorado, Wyatt discusses the benefits of using exercise balls instead of traditional classroom chairs in a college classroom. Wyatt writes about John Kilbourne, a professor who implemented this type of seating arrangement. After surveying fifty-two students, he found that “Nearly all said they preferred sitting on the balls. Students mentioned an improvement in their ability to pay attention, concentrate, take notes, engage in classroom discussions and take exams” (Wyatt). Additionally, Stand2Learn, a manufacturing company for standing desks, notes that when students stand, they “benefit from improved health, academic learning, and socialization skills” (“How is Classroom Management Improved by Standing Desks?”). I would like to adopt similar practices in my classroom with 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students.
I am requesting several items of furniture including an area rug, saucer chairs, a lamp, stability balls, round tables, and table risers.
I will use these pieces to create four distinct seating areas in the classroom. First, I will keep four tables with chairs for students who prefer traditional seating arrangements. The other three seating areas will be developed using the rug and saucer chairs, standing desk, and round tables with stability balls as seating for students who require movement to increase attentiveness and focus.
Persian-Rugs T1007 Abstract Modern Area Rug Carpet, 7'10 X 10'2, Gray Black White
• Amazon Business
$151.56
1
$151.56
Gaiam Kids Stay-N-Play Children's Balance Ball - Flexible School Chair, Active Classroom Desk Seating with Stay-Put Stability Legs, Includes Air Pump, Blue, 52cm
• Amazon Business
$16.98
8
$135.84
Lifetime 280064 Commercial Fold-In-Half Round Table, 4 Feet, White Granite
• Amazon Business
$59.42
2
$118.84
Urban Shop Saucer Chair, Blue
• Amazon Business
$44.29
2
$88.58
Park Madison Lighting PMF-4655-60 70-Inch Tall 5 Light Floor Lamp with Fully Adjustable Arms and White and Color Shades Included
• Amazon Business
$46.99
1
$46.99
Lift Your Table folding table risers extenders Non Slip Foot Bar / Demo Height - Make Your Folding Table a Bar or DEMO Height Table quickly and without tools
• Amazon Business
$39.88
1
$39.88
Materials cost
$581.69
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$8.73
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$620.42
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$109.49
Total project goal
$729.91
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$729.91
11 Donors
-$654.91
Donations toward project cost
-$556.67
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$98.24
match offer
-$75.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$63.75
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Stendahl and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.