Reading is Fun!...and Cozy

Funded Dec 9, 2015

It's the little things in life - the smell of fresh air on a warm spring day, a cup of hot coffee in the morning, a clean classroom. It's the little things in life that put a smile on our face; that is exactly what the floor seats and wobble stool did for my students. Opening up the seats from their packages and boxes was like what I suppose Christmas morning is at their houses. They were ecstatic! They wanted to know how, when and where they could use the seats. They loved the bright colors and the way the wobble stool wiggled but kept them safe at the same time. They were anxious to come to my office each day knowing they would be able to learn while sitting comfortably.

My students and I have chosen to use our seats during our novel study time, which is a part of guided reading. Each day after our guided reading session, ten of my 3rd grade students come into my office to read the assigned novel. Instead of finding a seat around the table (a seat that is probably uncomfortable for them that they usually fidget in) they are able to sit on any chair in the room. They have developed a great sense of community as they each take turns sitting in the seats. There are no arguments each day as they remember who sat on the seats last and know how important it is to be fair when choosing which seat to sit in. Although we have chosen to specifically use the chairs at that time, many students come into my office and sit in the cozy corner on a chair if they need to cool down or take a break.

One student in particular is responding well to the wobble stool. This is a student who is constantly fidgeting, playing with papers, pencils or anything he can find around him. I knew right away the wobble stool would be a good match for him and it has been! Instead of running his hands through the pages of the book and causing a noise distraction for the other students, he rocks side to side on the wobble stool. He is participating more and comprehending more of the story that is being read to him while still getting that sensory input needed.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Alarco