What is Flexible Seating? How is it Impacting Student Learning at Morse?

What does flexible seating mean? A space that offers flexible seating is one in which traditional chairs and seating charts are replaced with options and seating arrangements that allow the students to work where and how they choose. Students have options to move their position or location based on their needs and the needs of the activity they are doing. Research has shown that flexible seating increases physical activity and is linked to higher academic performance, better health, and improved behavior. Flexible seating at school gives students opportunities for choice, control, and independence in an otherwise structured environment. Flexible seating = OPTIONS and OPPORTUNITIES

What does flexible seating look like?

What is the history for flexible seating at Morse? Fall 2015 Fall 2016 With flexible seating articles filling the professional journals and teaching sites, a second grade teacher at Morse wrote a grant for ball chairs to see how it would work in her classroom. The grant was approved and funded with Take Stock money. She experienced success which led to her team taking the next step with her. The whole second grade team wrote another grant for two other forms of seats to try flexible seating as a grade level. The grant was approved, and as the veteran teachers found their groove and changed the heights of their tables to accommodate their options, improved student success and engagement was evident.

The Journey Continues Spring 2017 NOW The library added bar stools and couches with cheers from the kids The rest of the Morse staff saw the successes and opportunities happening in second grade and began researching what options would work for their students! Mr. Frazell started working with the staff to outfit our learning spaces with these options. The staff and students are committed to these changes in their learning environments. The PTO board voted to support this student centered goal with our funds from our events for the 2017-2018 school year. We want every student to have access to these choices and support their individualized learning as much as possible. Flexible seating at Morse is happening, the PTO is going to help get us there faster.

What our staff says: “I was hesitant and skeptical at first, being as I still have some "old school" mentality.  But as we've begun to use the flexible seating, I've been pleasantly surprised at how well the students manage it.  They take turns and are patient with sharing different options, and now that the newness has worn off, they're really starting to use it for what it's worth - that is, choosing an option that is BEST for their learning style.  The entire 5th grade team has seen an increase in attention, an improvement in students working quietly, and an overall calmness to the classroom.  I know the students enjoy using the flexible seating, and the fact that they have a choice really helps promote a positive environment.  ” – Mrs. Dennison “I think the big thing with flexible seating is providing kids with choice and ownership… Those seating options don’t affect our work, but provide us with a focus for a particular task... With guidelines and expectations, the choice of where to sit empowers kiddos with ownership to their learning.” – Mrs. O’Neal” “Flexible seating….provides students the opportunity to remain engaged, have the ability to self-regulate, and focus on the specific instruction we provide on a daily basis.” -Mrs. Leaming, Mrs. Wagoner, Mrs. Turner