JAR's blog
I have been on a quest for a few years to create flexible seating in my classroom. I want my students to work comfortably in the most appropriate setting that meets their needs. All of these efforts have been in the hopes of achieving a positive academic and behavioral impact. With the help of NEFCU's Fund Your Ideas, I have been able to put some of these dreams into practice. Each year, they award up to $250 based on a research proposal that is submitted.
It is my mission to educate students to be lifetime learners who live an active, healthy lifestyle. By giving them the resources to build fitness while learning, we are enabling them to no longer partition the two subject areas. After co-constructing flexible seating procedures, reviewing safety rules (like no yoga balls while riding the bike pedals), and creating a rotating schedule, students are on the path to success! STATIONARY BIKE PEDALS: I teamed up with our school's physical education teacher to try to figure out how to engage children physically and mentally. As part of our "Read & Ride" grant, we were able to purchase stationary bike pedals. This allows my students to release excess energy while independently reading during Reading Workshop. YOGA BALLS: In my classroom, students have the option to utilize yoga balls in place of ordinary desk chairs. It only benefits children's attention and engagement by having their core actively engaged as well. It also increases blood flow to the brain. I highly recommend getting the ones with "feet" for storage purposes. It is also important to get the correct size, so that the students can still sit at their desks at a comfortable height. I have found that a whole-brain approach to learning can transform student learning. I'd like to continue to #Starbucksmyclassroom during the next school year. Some ideas I'd like to explore for the future:
How have you implemented flexible seating in your classroom? Please share your ideas below!
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Jessica RyanThoughts from a teacher, professor, and Mom. Archives
July 2017
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