My students walk into class ready to learn! They are full of life and energy, and are eager to discover what the world has in store for them. We spend our days together reading, writing, and solving problems... with a lot of singing and dancing mixed in along the way! They are like sponges, soaking up as much new knowledge as they can, but they are also mini professors, sharing and giving what they learn with others.
I teach in a small, rural school in southern California.
Our community is tightly knit, supportive, and full of heart. Despite our small size, we are a diverse school and community. About 50% of our students receive free or reduced price lunch. Many students are English Language Learners, and our students have a wide array of academic abilities. Some of our students come from very stable homes with parents who work at one of the many aerospace businesses nearby. Others are here because one of their relatives is incarcerated at the federal prison on the outskirts of town, and they've moved here to be close enough to visit when it's allowed. It is a challenging yet rewarding town in which to teach.
My Project
Are you able to sit and work for hours at a time? No? Neither can 3rd graders! In 10 years of teaching, I've learned that students need both choice and flexibility in where and how they work. We have several flexible seating options available to students in my class, but we don't yet have a stable standing option for students.
We are requesting a stand up desk for work times.
Flexible seating has many benefits for students: including burning more calories, using up excess energy, improving metabolism, increased motivation and engagement, creating a better oxygen flow to the brain, and improving core strength and overall posture. Furthermore, physical activity is linked to higher academic performance and improved behavior. I'm down for anything that will help my students learn and grow, and a standing desk is one tool toward that end that we don't yet have in our classroom.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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 Mrs. Clarke and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
