In first grade everything is a distraction to learning. A piece of fuzz on the carpet can sometimes grab a child's complete and total attention more than a teacher doing handstands in front of the class. Optimal learning is best facilitated by overcoming these types of obstacles.
I currently have a group of 22 rambunctious first graders whose attention spans need short increments of instruction and time to work in the manner that best supports their learning.
Our school is located in a middle class area in Oklahoma. My district has not yet been able to implement full day kindergarten for every student, so I have students coming to me with all different kinds of ability levels and experiences. Some families will even not choose to go to kindergarten at our school if they do not get the full day slot. This is just another indicator that shows the wide gap that my students have in levels and experiences amongst each other. Despite that, my school has very high standards for the achievement of its students. We try to rise and meet that challenge every day differentiating for each child and meeting them on their level.
My Project
My students need ergonomic stools, so that they have a place to sit at my small group table. Currently, I only have about three makeshift seats around my small group table. I would like to have enough stools so that I can have more students around my table participating in small group games and lessons. I chose these specific stools because unlike my makeshift seats they are light, will not slip, and allows students movement while they are sitting. The ability to move while sitting down helps those students who normally can't sit still, stay seated and more focused on their learning.
My students need seating that has been developed with them in mind.
With these stools they will be able to calm their wiggles and practice self-control. As their teacher, I will be able to teach them more effectively when their energy has a directed focus on the movement of the stool rather than on everything else around them and I will be able to make small group time more comfortable.
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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 Ms. Schmidt and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
