My students come to school each morning bursting with energy. They love to collaborate, design, create, and problem solve! Unfortunately, they also come to school each day facing a variety of challenges associated with poverty. Many of my students live in high-stress situations and find that school is the only consistent, calm place in their lives.
Although I can’t control what goes on at home, I do my best to provide a warm, encouraging environment for my kids to thrive during the school day.
Our school is located in a low-income neighborhood where over 80% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch; however, they are not defined by this statistic! My kids do amazing things every day and continue to surpass expectations others have set for them. They all have such big dreams, and I feel that it is my responsibility to set them up for success so they can follow those dreams.
My students are very hard workers and they push themselves in their learning every day. However, a 7 hour school day can really take a toll on young learners! My kids will have the option to use the stability balls, wobble cushions, and wobble chairs to help them move while they work. They will also be able to choose from a traditional chair at a desk or table or a comfy sport on the carpet with the cushions.
Research has shown that movement during the school day increases attention span and learning, while decreasing negative behaviors.
When adults go to a meeting, we fidget, rock, and wobble too! We can’t expect our students to do their best by sitting still for hours on end in a (sometimes uncomfortable) chair. Student choice in the classroom, in any form, also increases student “buy-in” and makes the students feel that they are part of a community that values their opinions and ideas. This project will benefit not only my current class but all future classes to come!
NEVER BEFORE FUNDED