My students need flexible seating to foster independent learning. The flexible seating choices they need are balance balls, foam and micro bead cushions, and rugs that have distinct textures to work independently.
I teach and learn along side visually impaired 3rd-5th moderate to severe multiple disabilities children. My students are part of the 20% of our schools population who are in special ed and or visually impaired. We are a Title I school where 80% of the students receive free or discounted meals.
In my classroom we focus on community, collaboration, and independence.
My students are unique. They all have bright spirits that shine and sparkle everyday. My students are differently-abled and express their talents daily in the classroom in different ways.
Some use American sign language with verbal sentences. Some use alternative forms of communication such as a large button with a recorded saying and others simply tell me with their words.
My students also read & write differently from each other. Some read braille and use a braille writer to write. Others use large high contrast print with thick lines to learn their words and letters.
We are a class of critical thinkers with all abilities. We root for each other daily to see growth and change in everyone.
Our Mottos are: Making mistakes are proof that we are trying and everything new in school is hard at first.
My students are epic learners. Sitting in a hard chair all day is no fun for anyone and it is certainly not motivating to do school work much of the time. Flexible seating and soft place with clear bubble spaces to focus on independent work would be a great tool to have in my classroom. Items such as bear balance balls, soft log pillows that make sounds when crinkled, and memory foam cushions all make good choices. Rugs with different textures will also help my students have distinct spaces to do their independent work.
To help guide my students to focus their learning potential and to help them learn more independence, I believe flexible seating and a comfortable place work is a great tool to have in my classroom.
Balance Balls: My students will use the soft touch balance balls for much needed sensory input to focus on their independent learning via bouncing.
Rugs: New rugs with distinct texture differences so my students can have two working nooks for their own personal bubble spaces to do independent work.
Logs Pillows: My students will get sensory input from touching the micro beads inside so they can focus on their independent work. They will also make circle time and restorative justice circle time more comfortable while we discuss the weather, temperature, calendar, attendance and emotions. Bonus they are washable.
Log Cushions: To help my students sit upright and straight on the new rugs and practice counting skills/stacking skills. They will also be able to comfortably listen to a story independently on tape or practice active listening during small group English Language Development discussion time.
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