Our first graders have a LOVE for school. They are full of energy and desire to learn. Everyone comes in with their own strengths and areas to set goals for. We spend our days learning to read, write, solve math problems, learn about the people around us, and develop their current passions (arts, music, phy ed, books, etc). They love their families, celebrate their friendships, and still love their teachers. Did I mention that they SAY the funniest things every day? We love to laugh together.
These first graders do best when they can MOVE!
Brain research tells us that they can only sit and listen during a lesson for about 6-7 minutes. So I plan lessons to keep them moving every 6-7 minutes. We dance. We stretch. We move spots.
Watching them grow and learn is a real whirlwind as they navigate their way through first grade. When they leave at the end of the school year, it's earthshaking just how much they've grown and changed as students.
My Project
Students who attend school in Fall of 2020 face the challenge of staying in an assigned chair in the same classroom all day long due to health guidelines for the current coronavirus pandemic. First graders are used to moving every 6-7 minutes, gathering at the carpet area with their classmates, and having flexible seating options to meet the movement needs of their learning and work styles.
These yoga mats would be placed alongside each student's assigned seat to give them options to lay on their tummies to read, write, or compute or use during our movement breaks
Unlike the fabric-covered seating and carpets that have been removed from our classrooms, these mats can easily be sanitized daily. I'd cut each of the 16 mats in half to provide one for each of the students in two more of our first grade classes. Brain research tells us that many students learn better when they can move and engage their brains. I also know that it is difficult for me to sit on a chair for a one-hour meeting...a school day is hours long.
These mats would also be an additional seating option for students when the pandemic subsides! Professional development for practicing mindfulness and using yoga in the classroom has been provided to educators in my building in the last three years. These yoga mats would be another tool to use!
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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. Kupsh and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
