Two years ago I did some research on flexible seating arrangments in classrooms to enhance my inclusion classes. There wasn't a ton of research, but everything that I read explained positive results. With the blessing of my principal, I was able to fundraise a little money to begin a flexible seating arrangement in my classroom. With some donations of furniture and the money raised, I was able to assemble a space for students to learn and fluidly move about the classroom, sitting in areas that best suit their needs at the moment. As a result, in my class, student engagement has increased, attendance has increased, test scores have increased, participation has increased, homework completion and turn in has increased (to almost 100%!), and the best part, the overall climate of the classroom has improved.
This furniture isn't just furniture in my class, this furniture has become my class. Currently, in my class, I have a standing table, swivel chairs, bean bags, floor pillows (on a rug of course), saucer chairs, and stability and balance balls. In addition, an old couch and armchairs were donated, for which I purchased slipcovers. After two years of 8th-grade students sitting on these couches for 6 hours day, 180 days per year, the couches and chairs have seen better days and may be on their last leg.
I would love to continue to provide my students with this opportunity, however, with the condition of the couch and chairs, I feel that if they are not replaced soon, that element will have to leave my class. In the past two years, the couch area has been used for some healthy discussion and Socratic seminars, a comfy reading area, and a place to get to know each other.
About my class
Two years ago I did some research on flexible seating arrangments in classrooms to enhance my inclusion classes. There wasn't a ton of research, but everything that I read explained positive results. With the blessing of my principal, I was able to fundraise a little money to begin a flexible seating arrangement in my classroom. With some donations of furniture and the money raised, I was able to assemble a space for students to learn and fluidly move about the classroom, sitting in areas that best suit their needs at the moment. As a result, in my class, student engagement has increased, attendance has increased, test scores have increased, participation has increased, homework completion and turn in has increased (to almost 100%!), and the best part, the overall climate of the classroom has improved.
This furniture isn't just furniture in my class, this furniture has become my class. Currently, in my class, I have a standing table, swivel chairs, bean bags, floor pillows (on a rug of course), saucer chairs, and stability and balance balls. In addition, an old couch and armchairs were donated, for which I purchased slipcovers. After two years of 8th-grade students sitting on these couches for 6 hours day, 180 days per year, the couches and chairs have seen better days and may be on their last leg.
I would love to continue to provide my students with this opportunity, however, with the condition of the couch and chairs, I feel that if they are not replaced soon, that element will have to leave my class. In the past two years, the couch area has been used for some healthy discussion and Socratic seminars, a comfy reading area, and a place to get to know each other.
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