We, as a school and community, have been fighting to close the achievement gap for many years. As a district, we are doing things differently! Devoting large amounts of time to core subjects, developing multiple support structures for struggling students and providing extra training days around best practices. We are a year into our five year plan and have already seen growth in all areas of our school.
Next year, I will have 24 energetic third graders, some of which get to move up with me!
My students are eager and willing to learn. They soak up everything that they are given and push each other to be better every day. Although they are only 8/9 years old, they possess the experiences that make them wise beyond their years. These experiences give them the innate ability to see the need for change.
Luckily, the school, district and community also see the need for change. We are working to do things differently. I am working to do things differently in hopes of eliciting the change my students deserve.
My Project
As part of doing things different to close the achievement gap, I started flexible seating in my classroom. I quickly found that all students need the ability to move throughout the day. Something that I thought would be only a part of our day and a privilege has turned into an all-day routine and necessity for some students. As we settled into the routine of sharing four balls and five pillows, I noticed their focus and stamina grow drastically. Students that couldn’t sit for ten minutes of reading, now sit for 45 minutes of reading using unconventional seating within the classroom.
We have changed the look of daily learning.
The classroom no longer takes on the persona of rigidity with straight rows and perfectly quiet, still students. Our classroom is busy, focused, and unconventional.
The students will be able to have their individual stability ball. In a Title 1 classroom of students, we don’t usually have enough for each student to have their own. We share laptops, math materials, and the items that make us most comfortable in our classroom. This will be one item that students wouldn’t have to share. It will always be there to wiggle, stretch and help each student concentrate.
Since many of my students will get to move up with me, I want to make sure to continue the success they are experiencing with this flexible seating routine. My experience has shown that when students are given the opportunity to get comfortable, to wiggle when needed, to decide which position would work best for them they are more successful during academic learning.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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 Mrs. Shimizu and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
