Do you have a job that allows you work with amazing people who are excited about learning and growing? People who change the traditional education system each day when they enter the classroom? People who truly embody the phrase "21st Century Learning?" I do. I work with a an amazing group of students at our STEM school. Students who don't just focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics because they know that their future needs more that just those skills. Students who embody our school-wide Habits of Mind: Collaborate, Persevere, Act Responsibly, Think Critically and Lead.
As a teacher of these amazing young men and women, I want to provide them with the best possible learning environment.
I am seeking $500 to create flexible seating options to further promote collaboration which will then give students opportunities to think critically, act responsibly, persevere and lead.
My Project
The core principles of our STEM school environment are movement, talk and choice. To promote this in my classroom this year, I created a standing bar out of pallets and old tables, a lounge seating area with a comfortable chair and couch, dry-erase tables on wheels that roll and can be flexibly grouped, and storage ottomans instead of chairs Next year, I would like additional options that will strengthen our school values, but more importantly promote student collaboration.
Student collaboration is an essential element of our STEM school, but also an essential element of 21st Century careers.
From business to website development to chefs in a restaurant, success happens when employees have great collaborative relationships. More flexible seating options will help me provide my students with opportunities to improve their collaboration skills. Using the flexible seating options will give students more choice, and also opportunities to collaborate with different groups of students each week.
According to a 2015 article found on Livestrong.com, stability balls engage both sides of the student brain improving concentration, increasing processing time, and improving overall student behavior. This article convinces me that stability balls would be helpful in my overall classroom vision of movement, talk, and choice. Edutopia.org is also in favor utilizing wobble seats and stability balls to help students stay focused and promote better collaboration.
In order to stay true to our STEM principles of movement, talk and choice and to provide students with better collaborative opportunities, I am hoping to have stability balls and wobble seats donated to my flexible seating classroom. Thank you!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. B. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.