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Mrs. VanRiper's Classroom Edit display name

  • Michigan Center Junior Senior High School
  • Michigan Ctr., MI
  • More than half 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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My high school students are used to desks in their classrooms- desks that make it difficult to relax into whatever we are learning. I am asking them to do complex critical literacy projects that require intense focus, thoughtfulness, and collaboration. It is difficult to get this from them when our classroom set-up limits the type of work that we can do in class. Collaboration is tough when there is no smooth work surface for all four group members to write on. Reading or writing for long periods of time is challenging when students can't find a comfortable position in the rigid desks. Ultimately, learning is weakened by an inflexible learning environment that does not adjust to meet my students' needs. Flexible seating would create a space that feels more welcoming and comfortable for my students-- connecting them to their learning environment in a way that traditional school furniture does not. When I ask my students what changes they would like to see in the classroom, they ask for flexible, comfortable furniture that makes it easier to work together. I have one couch and two office chairs currently in my room. These are the seats that students flock to. I would love to get rid of some of these desks and add another futon, some fitness balls for my energetic students who need an outlet for all that energy, and some beanbag chairs that students can sink into when they're reading a good book.

About my class

My high school students are used to desks in their classrooms- desks that make it difficult to relax into whatever we are learning. I am asking them to do complex critical literacy projects that require intense focus, thoughtfulness, and collaboration. It is difficult to get this from them when our classroom set-up limits the type of work that we can do in class. Collaboration is tough when there is no smooth work surface for all four group members to write on. Reading or writing for long periods of time is challenging when students can't find a comfortable position in the rigid desks. Ultimately, learning is weakened by an inflexible learning environment that does not adjust to meet my students' needs. Flexible seating would create a space that feels more welcoming and comfortable for my students-- connecting them to their learning environment in a way that traditional school furniture does not. When I ask my students what changes they would like to see in the classroom, they ask for flexible, comfortable furniture that makes it easier to work together. I have one couch and two office chairs currently in my room. These are the seats that students flock to. I would love to get rid of some of these desks and add another futon, some fitness balls for my energetic students who need an outlet for all that energy, and some beanbag chairs that students can sink into when they're reading a good book.

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About my class

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