Classrooms

Classroom 2 (4-8)

Whats inside this classroom?

-flexible seating

-an art supplies section

-printer 

-computer cart

-a reading corner

Description: This classroom meets the needs, interests and learning diversity of middle level students by having flexible seating and different places to learn. For example, students have the choice of wobble stools, balance balls or regular chairs when sitting at their desks. Next to the art supplies section, there is a circle of flexible seating options (stability discs, couch, balance balls, wobble stool) for students to sit on if they get tired at their desks or if they need a minute to relax/recollect. In the reading center (top right of the classroom), there are bean bag chairs next to the bookshelves to offer another opportunity for seating.  Flexible seating is beneficial to a classroom because "a strong connection exists between movement and learning; movement can impact all students by increasing blood flow to the brain, activating emotions, and increasing concentration and recall" and "when a child is in a comfortable and pragmatic learning environment, learning increases, and stress levels decrease" (Swofford). This classroom also includes books that are interesting to middle grade students and on-grade-level.  Along with the flexible seating options, the theme of the classroom supports our school mission of  "fostering curiosity, mindfulness, and acceptance among our students by providing an engaging learning environment that allows all students to explore parts of themselves, each other, and the world around them" as it encourages students to be themselves. By encouraging students to be themselves, it lets them know that the classroom is a safe space to do so. Everyone is accepted in this classroom. The rules/procedures of the classroom are simple and straightforward as the students should be familiar with the expectations of school. They help to create a safe environment in the classroom where everyone is able to be themselves and learn at their best ability. The teacher's role in this classroom is to teach, but also to change the flexible seating around throughout the year and update the books in the classroom library so students don't get bored.

Swofford, P. E. (2021). (rep.). The Use of Flexible Seating in the Elementary Classroom (pp. ii–86). Digital Commons. From https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1673&context=dissertations#:~:text=Educators%20are%20becoming%20more%20interested%20in%20flexible,participation%2C%20and%20overall%20learning%20experience%20(Healy%2C%202017).&text=Traditional%20seating%20does%20not%20allow%20for%20the,behavior%20and%20overall%20academic%20performance%20(Stapp%2C%202018).