Yesterday I was very excited to introduce my newest flexible seating choices to the class- laundry baskets and cushions! BOY, were they a HIT!!
Even though we are in March, watching the students try out these items reminded me of how much children still need support with self-reflection when making good, focus-driven choices!
What we learned through discussion and trial/error...
- Not all seating choices are effective for ALL activities!
The baskets are GREAT for reading and simple assignments that require writing. However, they are not optimal for any activity that requires manipulatives or more than a few supplies. During work on writing, a few students tried to revise while in a basket, and our revision strategies require pens, pencils, scissors, paper and tape- so it did not work well! I watched some of the kids try to juggle all of these materials for a while, and then when they weren't making a move, I lead them through some self-reflection which resulted in choosing a different spot for that activity. That is the beauty of a flexible classroom- if something isn't working- there is NO need to keep doing it!
- Safety first!
I had a kiddo try to put a basket on top of a chair. Trust me, I get it- I would NOT be able to get out of one of those things from the floor either! However, attempting to balance it onto top of a chair seat was NOT safe. I am often addressing safety concerns and re-teaching what I think is common-sense, forgetting that at this age (and honestly until your 30s haha!) the kids still need some gentle reminders of what is safe and what is not. The teacher of a flexible classroom has to be active and alert at all times, needless to say!
- Sharing/Negotiating
I told the students that the first day should be about everyone getting a try who wants one, and they did a great job of sharing. I did hear some master-class negotiations going on between some future lawyers! These are both skills that I am proud to promote and provide the opportunities for students to strengthen, even if means transitions will take a couple more minutes than usual for a week or so.
- Relationships with Families
I am so fortunate to have an amazing relationship with the families of my students. We communicate constantly through ClassDojo and after almost 3/4 of the year of seeing Flexible seating in action with their own eyes, most express seeing a value in it. As I was purchasing my laundry baskets and cushions, I was coming up a bit short on cushions so I posted for donations on my Class Dojo Class Story (aka "wall"). One of my girls came in the next day with a cushion for us! As I write this blog, I had an amazingly generous family offer to donate 4 more baskets and cushions. While these things are not expected, they are so appreciated and they benefit EVERYONE! Putting forth the extra effort to make everyone feel like part of the team, and letting them know that you care about their children as more than just data and stats, helps bring the classroom community together and can strengthen your classroom in many ways! I can not stress enough the importance of having a strong relationship and communication with your students' families! It may take extra time and effort, but it is so valuable!