My students need an upgrade to our flexible seating classroom with Gaiam balance chairs, child sized office chairs, bean bag chairs, and floor cushions.
Our classroom is a place of learning, caring, and sharing. I fully believe that students learn best when their needs are met. Our classroom is a place where all learning styles are valued and respected.
Students feel empowered to not only recognize their own needs but are given the freedom of choice to meet those needs.
Students learn through collaboration and engagement and I believe our flexible seating community provides a warm atmosphere conducive to meet the needs of every learner.
My Project
Recently, research has started investigating the importance and role that seating plays in the classroom and has found that during cognitive tasks children’s ability to maintain a seated posture is reduced. Based on these findings, it was recommended that children should be allowed to alter their position during cognitively demanding tasks.
Other research showed a difference in academic performance between a sedentary class and a class which engaged in physical activity.
This research discovered that children in a stability ball classroom performed significantly better on math tasks than those in a sedentary classroom. Based on recent research, students need to be able to wiggle while working.
Stability ball chairs would help provide this need for my students. To encourage autonomy, motivation, and self-awareness, I allow my students to choose where they would like to work as long as they are safe, on task and not distracting others.
New flexible seating options, including stability balls, office chairs, bean bag chairs, and floor cushions, will allow my students the freedom to find a space where they can wiggle while they work and stay on task. I believe students are more motivated to complete a task when they have a choice and adding these seating options to our classroom will help provide choices to my students.
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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. Watkins and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
