Often, we ask our students “What do you want to be when you grow up?” We can never fully know what to expect, but generally it’s a safe bet that we won’t hear, “Someone who sits at a desk all day!” Our students want to explore, to adventure, to learn, to have fun, and more importantly, they NEED to move around and apply themselves. Many of my students appreciate the freedom and opportunity that comes with the choice to work where and how they want. The expectation in our school is that you accomplish your work to the best of your ability. However, I don’t dictate what this looks like to my students. Some students are more comfortable working on the floor with a clipboard. This is where they do their best work, which is why we need more clipboards. Other students find success in reading to themselves in the back corner by the cubbies and require a whisper phone. This is where they do their best work, which is why we need whisper phones.
Alternative seating has been proven to not only improve classroom behaviors, but has also been successful in enhancing academic performance. When you really think about it, do you work best when you are comfortable and complete tasks in the way you want to OR do you accomplish your best work without a voice, without a say, and stuck in a desk? Today’s students feel the same way which is why we need alternative options - bean bag chairs, lap desks, stability balls, etc.
After observing my students and their learning behaviors these past few weeks, I came up with this list of items, which will help to promote their successes within the classroom. We just need your help in getting them!
About my class
Often, we ask our students “What do you want to be when you grow up?” We can never fully know what to expect, but generally it’s a safe bet that we won’t hear, “Someone who sits at a desk all day!” Our students want to explore, to adventure, to learn, to have fun, and more importantly, they NEED to move around and apply themselves. Many of my students appreciate the freedom and opportunity that comes with the choice to work where and how they want. The expectation in our school is that you accomplish your work to the best of your ability. However, I don’t dictate what this looks like to my students. Some students are more comfortable working on the floor with a clipboard. This is where they do their best work, which is why we need more clipboards. Other students find success in reading to themselves in the back corner by the cubbies and require a whisper phone. This is where they do their best work, which is why we need whisper phones.
Alternative seating has been proven to not only improve classroom behaviors, but has also been successful in enhancing academic performance. When you really think about it, do you work best when you are comfortable and complete tasks in the way you want to OR do you accomplish your best work without a voice, without a say, and stuck in a desk? Today’s students feel the same way which is why we need alternative options - bean bag chairs, lap desks, stability balls, etc.
After observing my students and their learning behaviors these past few weeks, I came up with this list of items, which will help to promote their successes within the classroom. We just need your help in getting them!
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