Half 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.
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After teaching for 17 years, I have realized that the traditional student/desk classroom does not fit all learners. When I taught in elementary school my classroom had a reading corner. It contained a over-sized chair, a carpet, and a overfilled bookshelf. The students loved getting to read in the corner. When I started middle school, I could never get the kids to relax and read. They will not sit on the floor because it is hard laminate and not welcoming and their traditional seats are not comfortable. I've read a lot about choice seating or flexible seating.
It allows students to engage in the classroom and decide what seating best fits for their learning.
Over the last few months I have been lucky to have many people donate items to the classroom. I've received benches, coffee tables, and stools. My vision is to create a few areas where the students are comfortable and can engage in active reading which leads to engaging conversation.
These items will help me begin to open up my classroom to new ideas and allow choice for students. I will still have traditional seating and as the year progresses I will observe and evaluate what the students like best. Hopefully, in the future, this project will foster other ideas for creating an inviting classroom.
About my class
After teaching for 17 years, I have realized that the traditional student/desk classroom does not fit all learners. When I taught in elementary school my classroom had a reading corner. It contained a over-sized chair, a carpet, and a overfilled bookshelf. The students loved getting to read in the corner. When I started middle school, I could never get the kids to relax and read. They will not sit on the floor because it is hard laminate and not welcoming and their traditional seats are not comfortable. I've read a lot about choice seating or flexible seating.
It allows students to engage in the classroom and decide what seating best fits for their learning.
Over the last few months I have been lucky to have many people donate items to the classroom. I've received benches, coffee tables, and stools. My vision is to create a few areas where the students are comfortable and can engage in active reading which leads to engaging conversation.
These items will help me begin to open up my classroom to new ideas and allow choice for students. I will still have traditional seating and as the year progresses I will observe and evaluate what the students like best. Hopefully, in the future, this project will foster other ideas for creating an inviting classroom.