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Ms. Rachel's Classroom Edit display name

  • Van Duyn Elementary School
  • Syracuse, NY
  • More than three‑quarters 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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One of the great things about a Montessori classroom is how well movement is integrated into learning. Having some flexible seating options benefits all of my students during the parts of the day where they are learning to sit still, like lunch and large group meetings. As they grow from being 3-year-olds just emerging from toddler-hood to kindergarten leaders, providing an outlet for their wiggles helps them learn how to be part of a group - listening and speaking in turn. Having alternatives to the traditional expectations of sitting on a rug or chair helps all children be successful in these important early interactions with their peers and teachers. There are many children with low muscle tone in our current culture. They benefit from different ways to sit and gain strength. Similarly, many young children are learning to pay attention and control impulses - to move or to interrupt. Some do better in a more structured seat or on a seat that allows them to shift without disturbing a neighbor. By having a variety of seating available to the whole class, we provide two things. First, the opportunity for any child to experiment with what feels best to them. Second, by making different seats available to many children, it avoids singling out only children who are struggling and giving the impression they are "bad" or in "time out." Less time spent addressing behavior that is disruptive to group means everyone gets more time to learn and share. And the most vulnerable students get to stay and participate instead of missing out on learning and community building.

About my class

One of the great things about a Montessori classroom is how well movement is integrated into learning. Having some flexible seating options benefits all of my students during the parts of the day where they are learning to sit still, like lunch and large group meetings. As they grow from being 3-year-olds just emerging from toddler-hood to kindergarten leaders, providing an outlet for their wiggles helps them learn how to be part of a group - listening and speaking in turn. Having alternatives to the traditional expectations of sitting on a rug or chair helps all children be successful in these important early interactions with their peers and teachers. There are many children with low muscle tone in our current culture. They benefit from different ways to sit and gain strength. Similarly, many young children are learning to pay attention and control impulses - to move or to interrupt. Some do better in a more structured seat or on a seat that allows them to shift without disturbing a neighbor. By having a variety of seating available to the whole class, we provide two things. First, the opportunity for any child to experiment with what feels best to them. Second, by making different seats available to many children, it avoids singling out only children who are struggling and giving the impression they are "bad" or in "time out." Less time spent addressing behavior that is disruptive to group means everyone gets more time to learn and share. And the most vulnerable students get to stay and participate instead of missing out on learning and community building.

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About my class

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