My students need ... rugs, lap desks, and pillows to allow for completing assignments on the floor... stools and paint to repurpose a table that we have in our classroom. Alternative seating helps make learning fun!
Our school is in a very rural district. For most of the students, school is the only structured environment they might experience. I teach all 38 third graders math & science. As we all know, sitting still in one place all day can get very tedious! Over the last few years I have noticed an increasing number of students that struggle to stay focused and engaged. Recently, I have started to implement some alternative seating into my classroom. I was lucky enough to borrow a few things from fellow teachers and found that my students are really benefitting from them. I would like to restructure the seating in our classroom to accommodate more students daily. (currently, we have to share.) These sweet kiddos deserve every benefit that any other student gets in a larger school district... and with this project... I hope to provide some of them! Thank you in advance for being willing to support our third graders!!!
My Project
It is important to me for my students to have a safe, comfortable environment to learn! By providing selective seating in our classroom, I feel like it allows the student to take more ownership of "their space". As third graders, these students are starting to become more responsible. Allowing them to select where they are most comfortable completing assignments, gives them more control of their education.
In the last several years, research has shown that not all students learn best when sitting in the traditional desk and chair.
I mean, lets face it, we as adults don't like to always be pinned down to a chair and desk. Our kids are no different. Plus... they are younger and have more energy to expel. I have always had the philosophy that as long as they are working and not disturbing others from learning, it does not bother me if they stand or how they sit.
Alternative seating has become increasingly popular in elementary classrooms over the years. I have slowly introduced my students to a few of these alternatives the past few weeks. They are very excited to go one step further and give our classroom a "facelift" to allow for more selective seating! We are currently using bouncy balls but with this program hope to add several more options. The paint will be used to repurpose a table. The stools will set at the table as an alternative choice. The pillow covers will be used to cover some old pillows we have. They will go on the carpet with the lap desks to complete work on the floor. The rugs will make the cold tile in our room more conducive to group time learning.
Thanks so much for your time and consideration of supporting our third graders!
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