My students are highly motivated learners. They are learning 7th and 8th grade math as 4th and 5th graders. These advanced students come from all over the area to participate in an accelerated program designed to fit their needs, an experience they cannot get elsewhere. Their passion for learning math is heartwarming, and I am excited to create engaging projects for them that will drive their mathematical abilities to new heights.
Though my students have advanced skills, they are developmentally typical 9 to 11 year-olds.
In a group of 15 boys and 3 girls, there is a lot of energy in our small space. On the cusp of adolescence, my students are not ready to sit still for an hour, no matter how passionate they are to advance their skills. As motivated as they are to learn, I am just as motivated to create a space that meets their needs.
My Project
My students will be working to get through two years of math during this school year, which will take a lot of focus. However, developmentally, they are not ready to sit still for an hour at a time. We will move as much as possible, but during the time they will be sitting, I want them to be able to get their wiggles out in a subtle way.
Wobble chairs and balance balls will allow my students to move in their workspace in small ways.
Being able to wiggle during work time will create more opportunities for students to focus without moving away from their activities. Though there will not yet be enough wobble seats for everyone, my students will take turns using them depending on their seating preference and movement needs.
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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. McShane and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.