The 11 years I have taught math for Middle School the more I learn my students need flexible seating! Students feel empowered by having some degree of choice and control over their environment. Flexible seating allows my students to choose where they work and with whom. It also allows them to change their location and positions as needed.Flexible seating allows students to quickly and easily pair up, work in small groups, or discuss as a whole class – without moving mountains of heavy desks to establish eye contact.
An uncomfortable student, is a distracted and unproductive student. For example, picture a student who skipped or didn’t have access to breakfast. As the countdown to lunch approaches, the sound of his or her growling stomach will make it impossibly hard to hear the teacher’s voice. A uncomfortable chair can have the same affect. The futon couch bed, the saucer chairs, the padded stools, the video rocker chairs, the balance balls and throw pillows make it easier for the students to feel comfortable and to be less distracted.
Flexible seating encourages students to find their best spot to stay calm, focused and productive. There is no better way to show your support for a student-centered classroom, than creating a classroom from a child’s point of view. In mine and my students opinions, comfortable students are engaged students.
About my class
The 11 years I have taught math for Middle School the more I learn my students need flexible seating! Students feel empowered by having some degree of choice and control over their environment. Flexible seating allows my students to choose where they work and with whom. It also allows them to change their location and positions as needed.Flexible seating allows students to quickly and easily pair up, work in small groups, or discuss as a whole class – without moving mountains of heavy desks to establish eye contact.
An uncomfortable student, is a distracted and unproductive student. For example, picture a student who skipped or didn’t have access to breakfast. As the countdown to lunch approaches, the sound of his or her growling stomach will make it impossibly hard to hear the teacher’s voice. A uncomfortable chair can have the same affect. The futon couch bed, the saucer chairs, the padded stools, the video rocker chairs, the balance balls and throw pillows make it easier for the students to feel comfortable and to be less distracted.
Flexible seating encourages students to find their best spot to stay calm, focused and productive. There is no better way to show your support for a student-centered classroom, than creating a classroom from a child’s point of view. In mine and my students opinions, comfortable students are engaged students.
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