My students are awesome and come to school ready to do their best every day! They love the idea of flexible seating in the classroom and would really love to add some yoga ball seats to their flexible seating arrangement.
Ruby is in charge of this student-led project in which we are working towards creating more flexible seating options in the classroom. She says that she really enjoys the fact that many teachers here at TMS are listening to the kids' requests for this type of seating.
Students will learn that there is no cookie cutter approach to learning. Sometimes it takes us thinking outside of the box to encourage students to do more and ask more of themselves. Following the lead of other amazing teachers onsite, I have been inspired to rearrange the seating design in my classroom. The students' response has been overwhelmingly positive. Just a little change like a bouncy band on the desk to give them a chance to wiggle their feet has made a huge difference. Being able to stand and work at the standing station has helped students who don't do well sitting all day long.
In Their Own Words
Yoga ball seating makes "learning fun" according to Ruby. You are not just sitting on a normal, uncomfortable chair while working. You have the yoga ball to help keep you focused and on task. If learning can be "fun" and all it takes is a flexible seating arrangement and different options, Ruby thinks all teachers should incorporate this in the rooms. Students really respond well to this new way of thinking about seating. Adults in the workplace are using these types of seats, and the kids feel it would be great for the classroom as well. To be able to stay focused and attentive and involved due to a seat is a simple way to encourage achievement.
"It is nice to be able to speak for the other kids in my class. I like to take on leadership roles at school and help out. This is a chance for me to voice the feelings of my classmates and help us to work towards getting the yoga ball seating in my class."
"This is a great project for us to do together to change the seating in our classroom. If we get these yoga ball seats, each table group will have one yoga ball seat and three regular seats. Every day a different student at the group can use the yoga ball. This is something to look forward to that helps us stay motivated to do our best."
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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. Schoelen-Morgan and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
