My Teaching Philosophies

Why Flexible Seating?

I have chosen to use flexible seating this year! Other than having a couple of highly sought-after extra chairs in years before, this will be my first year to really go for it with flexible seating. Why do this in middle school? Why in a reading and writing class? I have researched this topic immensely, and I have lots of reasons!

I want students to take ownership of their learning. This means that I must give up some "power," and let them make some choices and take on more of the responsibility of their own learning, starting with where they learn best within the room. I want this to feel like "our room," more than "Mrs. Tucker's room." Also, I believe that giving students choices will help empower them, and that's my job: to prepare them for the world, where there are lots of choices.

Students need to move a little to keep the blood flowing. I want the blood flowing to their brains, not the other end! Some of the flexible seating in my room includes a few exercise balls, one game chair that rocks, and a stand up option. Another reason is comfort. Students will be in my classroom for 90 minutes at a time. I expect them to be working on STAMINA, and I don't know about you, but I have never built reading or writing stamina in an uncomfortable seating arrangement. I always do my best reading and writing in a place I can fold myself up or stretch myself out.

Not only do I want my students working toward taking ownership of the room, but I want them building community within the room and with each other. I believe that giving them a collaborative space will help with this. We will start each class out with a mini lesson, and end each class with share time, and I want us to be able to "gather 'round" and see each other as needed, as well as for students to be able to work in pairs or in small groups easily.

Finally, besides learning and becoming their best selves, I want students to enjoy coming into my class and enjoy their learning experience. Many students come to me with negative feelings associated with reading or writing, and I think they learn best when they feel more positive about their learning environment.

Assessments

Formative