Most people's reaction when they first hear that I teach 8th grade is something along the lines of, "Oh my gosh, I feel bad for you!" or, "And that's what you actually *want* to do?". Although it may seem like a nightmare to people on the outside, it's a dream to me. I can't imagine being as happy teaching another age group as I am teaching 8th grade, because they are at such a unique age that is perfect for me.
In 8th grade, students are beginning to transition between behaving like children and wanting to be treated like adults, and to me, that's the sweet spot.
Students are old enough to want freedom and to be respected, but they are still young enough to want to make their teacher happy. They are still immature in many ways, but mature enough to handle texts with complex issues and to have respectful discussions. As their teacher, it is my responsibility to give them a comfortable, happy, and safe place which caters to their needs and also creates a productive learning environment. It's the least I can do to repay them for all of the joy they bring into my life.
My Project
I would like to purchase two Safco AlphaBetter standing desks to help improve my students’ focus by supporting their kinesthetic needs. These desks offer students more options for how they want to learn, and therefore provide them with more ownership of their own learning. By allowing for more natural movement with the fidget bar, students will actually remain more focused, rather than being unable to concentrate due to the discomfort of traditional seating and their impulse to be active.
I currently have one standing desk in my classroom, and students often argue over who gets to use it!
They love the desk and the simple sense of freedom it gives them. I don't even think my students notice the effect that the desk has on their focus and productivity; they just love having something different than a traditional desk and chair. With more standing desks, more students will be impacted more frequently throughout the year.
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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. Marker and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
