Classroom Layout: A Sensory Approach

Just ask my husband.  He'll tell you its true.

I love to rearrange my furniture.  Maybe it's just a few pillows.  Maybe it's moving the shelf, the wall hanging, the couch, the chair, and then some. But, this habit makes my home comfortable, inviting, and a safe place for me to come home to.  It also gives me lots of options when I'm looking for a place to study, relax, read, work, etc.

After a few years of teaching, this habit began to sneak into my classroom as well.  I teach 7 and 8 year olds. Do you know how hard it is to ask a 7 year old to sit on a plastic, hard chair all day? (Answer: about as hard as it is to get an adult to sit on a plastic, hard chair all day). We were not designed to sit all day! (In fact, a recent workshop I attended actually shared that "Sitting is the new smoking.")  Sitting alllll daaaayyy loooonngg can have negative effects on us both physically, mentally, and emotionally. In my classroom, I can attest to the same.  Sitting in a chair all day affects our students physically, mentally, and emotionally.

So, I decided to change something about those hard plastic chairs.  I started researching alternate seating options and dreaming (Yep, there's a Pinterest board). I used my classroom budget that year to purchase 8 bright blue yoga balls. Talk about taking a risk! And, I happened to dream out loud to my principal as well. (Side note: if you've got a great principal like mine, dreaming out loud can have fabulous results).  One day, my fascinating phonics lesson was interrupted by a local news station presenting me with a $1000 check to use for my sensory ideas! Check it out here

With these funds, I was able to purchase and incorporate more yoga balls, and seated pedalers.  However, I've also made a lot of changes to my classroom layout for $Free.99. Who doesn't love that price! Take some legs off a table - instant game changer. Beg on Facebook or Twitter. You'll be surprised what people will be willing to trash donate. :) Hit up the band teacher for some old music stands. Ta-da: standing desks!

I've included pictures below of the sensory integration and alternate seating options.

Raised table: students have the option to stand and work

Music stands: another standing desk option

Use frisbees for a cheap solution for runaway rolling yoga balls

Crate seats double as storage. The pedals provide students with a stationary movement option.

Futons and couches are hot items!

Removing table legs changes up a regular classroom tables.

Why flexible seating options? The results speak for themselves.

• Student buy-in, excitement and engagement
• Increased attention
• Built-in outlets for students with ADHD or other sensory needs
• Increased participation
• Social interactions
• Overall positive attitudes!
• A cozy, inviting place to spend our days five days a week!
  
  

Give it a try! Start small. After all, my living room usually starts with just moving a few pillows. :)




P.S. If you use "hard plastic chairs" in your classroom, I still think you're cool and want to be friends with you. After all, its important to teach our students to adapt to society and 'normal' things - like regular chairs!  Sensory integration and flexible seating is just where my passion lies, and I love to share things that work!

#LeadLAP Challenge: Appreciation and Take Note!

Throughout the past few weeks, I've been enjoying the #LeadLAP challenge in which my principal has been participating.

The week she dropped the "Appreciation" anchor, I was gone at a conference for two days. Seeing all the buzz on Twitter, I actually couldn't wait to get back so I could join the experience.  Receiving my A is for Appreciation note was energizing and revitalizing. It hangs on my board next to my computer reserved for student artwork, encouraging notes, and meaningful mementos. Clearly, significant to me.

That same week, I also received a note narrating some things Mrs. Ellis had noticed while joining our math time. This was extremely powerful for me, as it allowed for me to see my class and students from a different angle.  It gave me material with which I could do some high-impact reflecting.

After experiencing the A & N aspect of the #LeadLAP challenge, I was struck by the importance of both subjective and objective feedback.  I enjoyed hearing her subjective thoughts, praise, and appreciation for my place in our school.  At the same time, the objective observations gave me food for thought as well.  I knew if these concepts were powerful for me, then I also needed to translate that power to my students.  So, challenge accepted! While a little late to the game, I began to move through the ANCHOR steps with my 2nd grade class.

A is for Appreciation
I wrote an appreciation note to each student on a Monday afternoon.  I loved the way this exercise provided me with intentional time to individually focus on strengths of each student!  The next morning, each student was greeted by a personal note on their table. Here are some comments I heard:

• "Thank you for recognizing me, Mrs. Zarko!" (Don't we all crave recognition! We want to know we matter!)
• "This made me feel happy!" (Great! Wonderful! Happiness is contagious!)
• "I feel so proud." (Building student efficacy, woohoo!)

One student came over to me that afternoon and exclaimed, "Mrs. Zarko, this note made me double happy today! I scored a goal in PE today, and I got this note!" His simple comment was valuable to me...to think that two minutes out of my day to write him a note caused him to have a day where he had multiple occasions to celebrate himself. Powerful!

N is for Noticing

This semester, I have a student-teacher learning in my classroom.  While she was teaching, the time lent itself well to stepping back, watching my students, and observing their actions and impact. I was unprepared for how powerful this exercise would prove to be!

I wrote "I noticed you traveled to your seat quickly and wrote your name on your paper right away.  You wrote several words on your paper without extra directions.  You needed three reminders to slant toward Ms. Neville."

After reading this, the student came over to me and was eager to chat. He told me he was "super good at following directions quickly!" I asked if there was anything he noticed he might need to work on, and he immediately identified that he needed to give his attention to the teacher more quickly. I appreciated the reflection this student was able to do through this feedback... much more powerful than me simply telling him to pay attention.

For another student, I wrote: "You sat up straight at the carpet and watched your friend model the math problem. You kept your eyes on the board. You played with a leftover science paper for a few minutes. You asked for help with your independent work."

After chatting with this student, she shared with me that the science paper was a distraction for her, and maybe if she ignored distractions next time, her independent work would be easier. I was excited to see her notice the impact of her own choices. 

Completing these types of feedback has helped me become a more intentional teacher, as well as provided unique opportunities for conversations with my students. Next up: Collaborative Conversations!

The Journey Begins

Here I sit. Coffee in hand, empty screen before me. My inaugural blog post on my new blog.

I've been thinking about starting my own blog for awhile. I think about it in all of the natural thinking places of course: the shower, while washing dishes, driving home... (anyone else with me in those spots?!) Here are some of the reasons I've decided to go for it!

• Reflection

Reflection is a vital part of teaching, giving us a chance to visit things again and view it from different angles.  Reflecting on the past can help us view the future in a clearer way. Writing has always been a powerful reflection tool for me, and this platform will provide me a place to reflect on experience within my classroom and educational journey.  

• Twitter Made Me Do It

First, if you're not on Twitter, stop reading right now and go sign up. It is life-changing as an educator!  Twitter has provided me with a professional learning network brimming with top-notch educators who bolster my spirits, my skills, and ultimately, my students! Many of my "tweeps" also reflect and share through the platform of a blog. I love the simplicity of a 140 character tweet, but also the additional wealth of information in a link to a blog post.

• Glass Classroom

First pioneered by Maria Montessori, the glass classroom embraces the idea of allowing others a view into your classroom.  While my school may not provide the funding for a literal glass-walled classroom, social media provides a simple and effective way to allow for transparency and access. The glass walls are there for a variety of people: colleagues, administrators, parents, other classrooms, community members, and more! Twitter was my first simple step towards this glass classroom.  Then, I started a classroom blog for my families. This blog is my next glass wall I'm erecting. 

• Learner for Life

My principal recently read and wrote a review about What Connected Educators Do Differently, written by Todd Whitaker, Jeff Zoul and Jimmy Casas.  In her review, she referenced this quote.

Lifelong learning guides much of my classroom and teaching.  Modeling that I still desire to learn from others is important for my students. Modeling that I still write for authentic purposes is important for my students.  Modeling that safe internet usage matters is important for my students. And yes, I can model all of these things by simply starting a blog. 

• Sharing is Caring

Recently, Dr. Rich Voltz visited our district to present on teacher evaluation. While we spent much of our time highlighting the importance of student engagement, we also discussed how a key component of effective educators is sharing with other colleagues.  I know firsthand how I soak up others' ideas like a sponge. We are all an expert at something, and sharing that out helps us build our teacher repertoire. Hopefully you can find something to glean from here as well!

So, here's to a new adventure! 

~K