You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

See this teacher's page

This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Semana from Oakland, CA is requesting flexible seating through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Semana is requesting

Flexible Seating and Flexible Minds

Help me give my students balance ball chairs to support flexible seating in the classroom, and building block sets to support their flexible minds with hands on STEM learning.

  • $1,081 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Semana for her next project!

Help Ms. Semana

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

My fourth graders at Aspire College Academy have the most creativity. They are part of the next generation of leaders who are growing and learning in a world that needs them to imagine greater, build greater, capture greater, design greater, and play greater. In order to successfully achieve in the world we live in now, these kids need to be one step ahead. And the traditional carpet square and desk/chair seating for eight hours a day is not being one step ahead. It's actually holding my kids back; causing much discomfort, lack of interest and engagement. My fourth graders have the desire to be greater. Help me reach my ultimate goal with giving them as many opportunities to be the best, one step ahead of everyone else. Starting with supporting this project which directly helps scholars, of all learning styles, to be able to grasp content that will follow them for the rest of their lives.

My Project

Having flexible seating allows scholars to enjoy taking academic risks all day. Studies prove it.

"The concept of standing desks is still a fairly new one in education.

Although it may seem strange to those of us who were expected to sit up straight at school and not move, early studies on the effectiveness of using standing desks is promising. Students have shown improved scores and enhanced creativity. They have also been seen to be more engaged and have a better focus on the teacher, as well as increased class participation. Standing desks are particularly advantageous for children with attention difficulties and those who find it hard to sit still for periods of time, giving them an outlet for their energy that does not necessarily disturb others in the classroom.

Often, the key to success is flexibility, allowing seats and other furniture to be arranged and used according to each task. An interactive group task, for example, may take place on the floor or around a group of tables, whereas for an extended writing activity, which demands individual concentration, pupils may choose to sit away from their peers or use a standing desk.

The new emphasis on children being aware of their own learning styles and taking responsibility for their decisions will provide them with crucial life skills for the future. Educators have known for a long time that when children learn in a comfortable and stimulating environment, their confidence and ability to learn increase enormously."

I am thrilled this is the next big step for me as an educator, and for the opportunity this opens for my scholars of diverse learners. (This has been a goal of mine since year one, and never have I had the resources to accomplish this. With your help, this could be the year!)

Ms. Semana Aspire College Academy Grades 3-5

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Ms. Semana

Oakland, CA View local requests

Nearly all 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

25 students impacted 2donors

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Semana is requesting.

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
Gaiam Classic Balance Ball Chair – Exercise Stability Yoga Ball Premium Ergonomic Chair for Home and Office Desk with Air Pump, Exercise Guide and Satisfaction Guarantee, Black • Amazon Business $66.13 2 $132.26
Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Clear Colors Set – The Original, Award-Winning Magnetic Building Tiles – Creativity and Educational – STEM Approved • Amazon Business $119.99 1 $119.99
ECR4Kids The Surf Portable Lap Desk/Laptop Stand/Writing Table, Eggplant • Amazon Business $25.00 4 $100.00
Gaiam Kids Balance Ball Chair - Classic Children's Stability Ball Chair, Alternative School Classroom Flexible Desk Seating for Active Students with Satisfaction Guarantee, Purple • Amazon Business $69.98 1 $69.98
Big Joe Roma Bean Bag Chair, Spicy Lime • Amazon Business $59.99 1 $59.99
Pearington Kids Classroom & Home Steel Stacking Stool, Multi-Color (Pack 5) • Amazon Business $53.87 1 $53.87
Bouncy Chair Bands (12 Pack) – Improve Focus Kick Bands for Kids Students with Autism, ADHD, SPD - Foot Sensory Fidget Bands for School Classroom Chairs Desks • Amazon Business $23.98 2 $47.96
ECR4Kids Relax-N-Read Bean Bag Back Pillow Chair with Storage Pockets, Black • Amazon Business $43.41 1 $43.41
Big Joe Bean Bag, 98-Inch, Flaming Red • Amazon Business $39.99 1 $39.99
LEGO Classic Creative Builder Box 10703 (Exclusive) • Amazon Business $29.99 1 $29.99
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box 10696 • Amazon Business $27.99 1 $27.99
IQ BUILDER | STEM Learning Toys | Creative Construction Engineering | Fun Educational Building Toy Set for Boys and Girls Ages 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Year Old | Best Toy Gift for Kids | Top Blocks Game Kit • Amazon Business $24.77 1 $24.77
LEGO Classic Creative Suitcase 10713 Building Kit (213 Pieces) • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Gaiam Kids Balance Ball Chair Ball - Extra Balance Ball for Kids Balance Ball Chair, Green, 38cm • Amazon Business $14.98 1 $14.98
Hasbro Catch Phrase Game • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
LEGO Classic Green Baseplate Supplement • Amazon Business $7.90 1 $7.90

Materials cost

$803.06

Vendor shipping charges

FREE

Sales tax

$73.48

3rd party payment processing fee

$12.05

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$918.59

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$162.10

Total project goal

$1,080.69

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$1,080.69

2 Donors

-$1,080.69

Donations toward project cost

-$918.59

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$162.10

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

$0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"CA","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":2,"name":"Elementary School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/flexible-seating-and-flexible-minds/3642635/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":25,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Semana","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-465807949","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"photosPublished":true,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Oakland","teachersOnPage":[3835696],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":3642635,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"authorIds":{"3835696":{"owner":"Ms. Semana","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[3642635],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3835696_272x272.jpg?width=136&height=136&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504248570649","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":20832783,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":["NjE5MzkwOA==","MzA4NDYyNw=="],"teacherId":3835696,"schoolCounty":"Alameda","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"CA","name":"California"}}