I teach a diverse group of scholars in an urban school in Madison, Wisconsin. Many of my students live with anxiety, trauma, or struggle with learning differences. Many depend upon our district's free breakfast and lunch program and often ask for snacks as they go out the door on Fridays as well.
The students in my classroom are learning to envision themselves as scholars who are in control their own destinies.
We use mindfulness to practice reframing struggle as growth opportunities. Doing so helps stop a recurring cycle of frustration, feelings of failure and shutting down. In our classroom, everything is set to calm our reactive minds so that we can instead respond and do our best. Each morning, a student leads a breathing exercise that we come back to throughout the day. Our class motto is "Together, we do hard things."
My Project
In my classroom, students may choose from tables and chairs, bean bags and lap desks, wobbly seats and one upholstered chair that I brought in from home. I specifically teach how to use each spot and encourage students to choose a working space where they can do their best -- or what we call a "smart seat". At this time, while I do not have a standing option, I do have students who stand to work. They lean against walls with clipboards or simply stand at their tables leaning way over. Having two standing desks would fill out the flexible seating in my room and provide an important option for these kids.
Giving students choice in where they work gives them agency helps them learn at their highest level.
Students in my class may choose a spot with natural light. They may need to collaborate with a small group and gather bean bag chairs together. They may need to get away from a distracting neighbor. They may need to move. I have found that, especially in math, my students often think better while moving. One thing I love about the standing desks I am requesting is the swinging foot bar. Not only can students stand to learn, but they can get their thinking-wiggles in too.
Please consider funding this grant and making the work-day of my students student-centered.
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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. Cunningham and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
