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Mrs. Clem from Portland OR is requesting Flexible Seating through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
My students need flexible seating options- such as wobble chairs, to allow them to do their best thinking and learning. Lap desks will give them the opportunity to work at a space other than their desks.
I'm lucky to love my job as much as I do. I work with 22 hard-working, energetic, and brilliant 2nd graders. They encourage themselves, each other, and me- their teacher, to overcome obstacles and work together to achieve things that may seem difficult or at times unattainable. However, no matter how hard they try to sustain their efforts- their bodies sometimes won't allow them to do so.
In a classroom of 22 kids, there are 22 different kinds of learners.
It's a beautiful but challenging thing. Many kids have attention issues, others have learning disabilities, and some are unable to sustain focus for any extended period of time. It's difficult to try to make children conform to one type of "learner"- one that can sit still at their desks, understand their surroundings, and adapt to the mainstream settings of the public school setting. It's unrealistic and unfair to ask that of children. However, like I stated at the beginning I'm in a class of eager students and despite their challenges, they continue to persevere with what's in front of them.
Allowing children the ability to feel comfortable, confident and safe in the classroom is the best tool that I, as their teacher, can provide for them. I pride myself on creating a safe community- a place where students can speak & act freely. In room one we recognize the things we can and can't do yet. We work together as a community and collaborate how we can continuously improve ourselves. However, there's one tool that I'm lacking in creating a comfortable classroom and that is providing the options for flexible seating.
When children are provided with the opportunity to CHOOSE how they sit when learning, their engagement increases drastically.
I'm fortunate enough to have been able to visit classrooms where wobble seats are an option and have seen the increase in learning. Wobble seats would help ease the stress of students who have difficulty maintaining control over their bodies. Allowing my students to be able to have seating options would benefit their bodies and minds.
I plan to use these in my classroom on a daily basis. These wobbles seats will be available and benefit all students. They will be used in small and whole group settings. My hope is that myself and students will notice an increase in engagement and focus. The lap desks will also be an option for flexible seating. This will be an awesome tool that children can choose from during group or individual writing, art, or reading time.
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