Dear Parents,
When you walk into my classroom this year, you are going to notice that my classroom will be unlike any other classroom you’ve seen before. Yes, it is well decorated, bright and fun. It has a tent, pillows, camping chairs, a rug, and lots of motivational posters. But you’ll notice that something is missing. The missing piece is your child’s desk.
I was taking a graduate course over the summer a few years ago about motivating students and classroom environments. I was deeply interested because I am passionate about classroom design and its affect on learning. I want my classroom to be bright, motivating, fun, and able to accommodate the needs of all my students. I came across an article about something called “alternative seating”. This throws the idea of a traditional classroom out the window. Instead of desks and chairs, there are soft chairs, stability balls, stools, ottomans, low tables, rugs, etc. I was intrigued and decided to research it further. I found out some very interesting things about alternative seating. According to the research I found, alternative seating:
1. helps students attention spans which results in higher achievement
2. makes students more actively engaged in the classroom
3. gives them an active outlet without disrupting their learning
4. makes them more physically fit
5. motivates students to want to come to school
6. helps those with ADHD and Autism, along with other special needs
7. helps develop a sense of community among the students which improves their social skills
8. helps them to become independent learners
9. is LOVED by the students and teacher
So, your child’s classroom will be an alternative seating classroom. I understand that some kids would prefer a regular table and chair. I will have a table with chairs set up for those learners. They will also be able to use my U-shaped table in small group settings. Those who prefer an “alternative” seat can choose from: padded butterfly chairs, quad camping chairs, body pillows, ottomans, stools, a tent, and a rug. If they prefer standing, I have music stands or a high table for them to work at. Athletes Unlimited St. Louis, a local personal training facility, has donated stability balls. Students can choose to write on a hard surface (such as a low table) or use clipboards, lapboards, even the floor. The students’ supplies will be placed in baskets on shelves for easy access. They can grab their stuff and go to a spot that suits them.
This method will allow your child to do their BEST learning. For example, I do my best work sitting in a soft chair at a desk. My husband works best laying on the couch with a laptop. Children are no different. Just like children have different learning styles, they have different physical needs when it comes to learning. “When the body is active, the brain is active”. I will be teaching the students how to choose a spot that is the most conducive to their learning style.
I am very excited to do this in my classroom and I hope you are too. I understand it might be a little strange and not at all what you’re used to but I truly believe this will help your child be the best learner they can be. It has done wonders so far in my classroom for my past students. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at: [email protected] I am looking forward to a great year!
When you walk into my classroom this year, you are going to notice that my classroom will be unlike any other classroom you’ve seen before. Yes, it is well decorated, bright and fun. It has a tent, pillows, camping chairs, a rug, and lots of motivational posters. But you’ll notice that something is missing. The missing piece is your child’s desk.
I was taking a graduate course over the summer a few years ago about motivating students and classroom environments. I was deeply interested because I am passionate about classroom design and its affect on learning. I want my classroom to be bright, motivating, fun, and able to accommodate the needs of all my students. I came across an article about something called “alternative seating”. This throws the idea of a traditional classroom out the window. Instead of desks and chairs, there are soft chairs, stability balls, stools, ottomans, low tables, rugs, etc. I was intrigued and decided to research it further. I found out some very interesting things about alternative seating. According to the research I found, alternative seating:
1. helps students attention spans which results in higher achievement
2. makes students more actively engaged in the classroom
3. gives them an active outlet without disrupting their learning
4. makes them more physically fit
5. motivates students to want to come to school
6. helps those with ADHD and Autism, along with other special needs
7. helps develop a sense of community among the students which improves their social skills
8. helps them to become independent learners
9. is LOVED by the students and teacher
So, your child’s classroom will be an alternative seating classroom. I understand that some kids would prefer a regular table and chair. I will have a table with chairs set up for those learners. They will also be able to use my U-shaped table in small group settings. Those who prefer an “alternative” seat can choose from: padded butterfly chairs, quad camping chairs, body pillows, ottomans, stools, a tent, and a rug. If they prefer standing, I have music stands or a high table for them to work at. Athletes Unlimited St. Louis, a local personal training facility, has donated stability balls. Students can choose to write on a hard surface (such as a low table) or use clipboards, lapboards, even the floor. The students’ supplies will be placed in baskets on shelves for easy access. They can grab their stuff and go to a spot that suits them.
This method will allow your child to do their BEST learning. For example, I do my best work sitting in a soft chair at a desk. My husband works best laying on the couch with a laptop. Children are no different. Just like children have different learning styles, they have different physical needs when it comes to learning. “When the body is active, the brain is active”. I will be teaching the students how to choose a spot that is the most conducive to their learning style.
I am very excited to do this in my classroom and I hope you are too. I understand it might be a little strange and not at all what you’re used to but I truly believe this will help your child be the best learner they can be. It has done wonders so far in my classroom for my past students. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at: [email protected] I am looking forward to a great year!
Here are some links to articles about alternative seating:
Most of the research is about the use of stability balls.
http://www.1massagestore.com/blog/ex...ids-with-adhd/
http://www.mrsc.ubc.ca/images/KennedyCAT.pdf
http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-03-1...s-balls-engage
http://teacherweb.com/IL/PecatonicaE...offman/h2.aspx
http://wcco.com/education/stability.....2.991306.html
http://www.ehow.com/way_5294812_usin...ad-chairs.html
http://www.support-for-add-and-autis...ity_balls.html
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