1. Dear Parents, October 2017
I am so excited to write to you all regarding flexible seating in our classroom! Students now have many different seating options throughout the day during their STEM Humanities class, and they decide which seat in our classroom will work best for their learning style. Flexible seating is a concept rooted in educational research that encourages students to choose their type of seating based on their learning preferences. Whether you child prefers to sit in a traditional seat or explore a non-traditional posture, our classroom is designed to increase communication, learning and creativity. Students are not tied to sitting on a chair at a desk while they are reading or working. Desks are still an option for those who prefer them. Currently, we are using the chairs flipped around, pillows, towels, blankets, and carpet squares to create our own individual reading space. Some children even love reading while standing at the back table. Research shows that flexible seating allows students the freedom to foster their creativity, become mindful of their own learning behaviors and needs, and give them a feeling of ownership and peace while in the academic setting. We have LOVED this change in our classroom, and it has worked out wonderfully for everyone. Children are allowed to bring small pillows, towels, or small blankets to school each day. All items must be able to fit in their backpack when not in use during the day. If you are interested in donating stools or benches to our classroom, please let me know. We would love more flexible seating options. Thank you all for your support!
Your STEM 4 Humanities teacher,
Mrs. Belisario