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Mrs. Donaldson's Classroom Edit display name

  • Career Innovation Center
  • Blue Springs, MO
  • More than a third of 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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Everything I do in my classroom is based on research and best practices for kids. Redesigning my classroom was not any different. I've found that some of the immediate benefits of flexible seating include burning more calories, using up excess energy, improving metabolism, increased motivation and engagement, creating a better oxygen flow to the brain, and improving core strength and overall posture. It's no surprise that physical activity is linked to higher academic performance, better health, and improved behavior. In fact, a paper by Matthew T. Mahar, et al finds that simple in-class activities can boost performance. Studies suggest that children who participate in short bouts of physical activity within the classroom have more on-task behavior, with the best improvement seen in students who are least on-task initially. We must be willing to give up the power of the seating chart and truly hand over the responsibility of seating choices to our students. I've found that the more power I give up in our classroom, the more power I get back. I've also noticed that it helps my students become more self-aware of what types of seating and environment help them learn best. And they're empowered by the opportunity to have choices. It is all too common for high school classrooms to be set up in rows facing front. The message we send is “I am the teacher, I am in control, and you are going to sit and watch me.” This message often contradicts our mission of putting learning in the hands of the students and helping students take responsibility for their own education. Instead of this passive learning, our students deserve an opportunity to learn and create in a way that fits their learning style best.

About my class

Everything I do in my classroom is based on research and best practices for kids. Redesigning my classroom was not any different. I've found that some of the immediate benefits of flexible seating include burning more calories, using up excess energy, improving metabolism, increased motivation and engagement, creating a better oxygen flow to the brain, and improving core strength and overall posture. It's no surprise that physical activity is linked to higher academic performance, better health, and improved behavior. In fact, a paper by Matthew T. Mahar, et al finds that simple in-class activities can boost performance. Studies suggest that children who participate in short bouts of physical activity within the classroom have more on-task behavior, with the best improvement seen in students who are least on-task initially. We must be willing to give up the power of the seating chart and truly hand over the responsibility of seating choices to our students. I've found that the more power I give up in our classroom, the more power I get back. I've also noticed that it helps my students become more self-aware of what types of seating and environment help them learn best. And they're empowered by the opportunity to have choices. It is all too common for high school classrooms to be set up in rows facing front. The message we send is “I am the teacher, I am in control, and you are going to sit and watch me.” This message often contradicts our mission of putting learning in the hands of the students and helping students take responsibility for their own education. Instead of this passive learning, our students deserve an opportunity to learn and create in a way that fits their learning style best.

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About my class

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