It’s exciting to be returning to teaching fifth grade after a few years as a technology teacher and a technology resource teacher. I have learned a lot about my own teaching practice by coaching other teachers to effectively integrate all of the classroom technology into daily classroom curriculum and instruction.
This year I have the opportunity to apply all of my recent learning to work with and inspire our next generation.
If students know about themselves and know how they learn best, they are able to make choices about where to work in the classroom. Some students prefer to sit on the floor, while others prefer to stand at a standing desk. For this project, I am looking to add stools and wobble stools to our classroom for students who prefer those seating options.
My Project
I am looking for stools and wobble stools to add to our flexible seating options for students in my class.
What does the research say?
Flexible seating can range from just allowing students to choose their seats or move around the classroom more frequently to elaborately planned rooms with a wide range of seating options that allow students to choose to work at different heights and in different positions. Furniture options include couches, floor pillows, mats, bean bag chairs, yoga ball seats, stools, low tables, standing work surfaces, and traditional chair and desk combinations. Often a meeting place with room for everyone is needed.
Generally, a flexible classroom allows students to move furniture and gives them opportunities to work separately or in groups, though groups are emphasized. Use of technology through mobile devices can also allow for some creative settings, though experts note that flexible seating is often meant to include collaboration and that sometimes online activities discourage it.
There has been considerable research on the benefits of students being able to move around for their health and fitness—and suggestions that it helps their brains too. In her book Smart Moves, Why Learning is Not All in your Head, education consultant Carla Hannaford suggests that some 13 studies show that when students move around in a classroom, they are more engaged and can better “anchor new information and experience into neural networks.”
Former teacher Eric Jensen, now a researcher and consultant, concluded in a 2000 report that a review of research shows physical activity benefits learning. “Movement increases heart rate and circulation, enhances spatial learning, provides a break, allows cognitive maturation, stimulates release of beneficial chemicals, counteracts excessive sitting,
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 Mr. Faccio and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
