Flexible Seating

Flexible Seating

Flexible Seating is all the rage. I made the plunge last October.  It all started with moving the chairs out of the room and raising the tables.  We had standing tables and clip boards to use on the rug.  I noticed almost immediately how the kiddos were more focused in the afternoon.  Was it that they had the ability to move and wiggle? Was it a fluke?  I kept the chairs away and I continued to watch the kiddos.  Not one complaint about standing -- and there was always the option to sit on the rug.

Here's what it looked like at first. All the kids standing, some kneeling, and one or two at the back table.  We still had assigned seats. (Table count 4 standing tables.)

Then I wrote a Donor's Choose Grant.......

I asked for tiny leather chairs, yoga balls, wiggle seats, and book boxes.  The wonderful parents of my students made it happen!  I was funded in less than a week.  It was awesome!  Here are some photos of our room as things started to arrive.

Boxes begin to arrive, and clearly we can't focus on the Tumble Book. You can see the wiggle seats on the floor.  As soon as they arrived I dropped one of my tables down to the very shortest setting.  I also drug one of my tables away.  (Table count 2 tall standing/ yoga ball tables, 1 low to the ground wiggle seat table.)

The yoga balls arrived next. Thankfully the book boxes arrived too!!

Then leather chairs.

 At first we had to sign up everyday for the following day's spot. Then I got pneumonia.... and we learned to be flexible.  Students choose their spot as they came in every day. Here is Hawaii -- our vacation spot, aka a small table with tiny chairs.  The only remnants of traditional seating left.

We have settled in to a groove with our seats.  Then I found these bad boys...  Scoop Seats!!

That's my First grade teacher daughter with me at Wal-Mart.  Yes, we do have 13 scoop seats in our carts.  No surprise she has flexible seating too.  Really, teachers shouldn't shop alone, you need someone to talk you down from buying every single blue scoop seat at Wal-Mart.  OR in our case, some one to climb the shelves and dig around for EVERY blue seat.  Don't worry we left all the coral and pink ones there.  (Follow me on IG to see all our antics - splishsplashkim)

The VERY same weekend we went to Nebraska Furniture Mart and I got this awesome circular rug to anchor the 4 leather seats.

The rug is a floor sample so it has some tears.  I just turned it over and duct taped it back together.  I LOVE the rug!!  You can see our wiggle seats on the table (I had just washed them, I had noticed dried frosting on a couple! Gross!)  Also, notice the book boxes on the shelf in the back.

Every book box has the following already in it; math journal, white board, black dry erase marker, crayons, pencil, eraser, highlighter, and any papers from Daily 5 that they are still working on. Then they choose their spot for the day! Kiddos start the day by getting their book box and choosing 3 just right books.  They add a clip board if they need it for the day.  

In early February my customized Rocking Chair arrived!!! My fabulous principal loves to paint, decorate, etc... so she made me the gorgeous chair!  I ordered a custom coffee table too.  The coffee table will go in the place of the little tiny tables with the leather chairs.  I'm anxiously awaiting is arrival.

Here's a little darling reading on an iPad in my chair.  Gotta love those little ones!

After the scoop seats arrived in our room it was crazy crowded.  I had to ban the scoop seats from the rug. -- Let's just say there were serious issues with fingers getting rocked on.  UGHHH!!! So the scoop seats needed their own space.  One more table moves to the hall.  My poor custodian is a saint.  (Table count - 1 tall standing/yoga ball table and 1 short wiggle seat table.)

I think I need another rug, so the scoop seats can have a defined area.  I hate having them wander around. I may just go visit Nebraska Furniture Mart and see if they have another floor sample.  LOL!!! 

Are you using flexible seating?  

How does it work for you?

Do you have questions - ask away.  

I'd love to help if I can

Sometimes You Just Need DONUTS!

Goal Setting With Kindergartners

Our school has a weekly “Tune Up” Tuesday, where we review procedures and routines.  We also teach/review a social skill.  Each week varies from restroom “tune up”, indoor recess review, or walking in the halls.  This week we choose an item out of our Chinese take-out box. Our “Tune Up” for the week was to discuss the number of Goldens we had received as a class.

 (A Golden is awarded to each K-2 and 3-5 class from the specialists.  This week our class won the Golden Award for Computers.  YAY!!!!)

We talked about what we needed to do to get a Golden in all the other specials. (Lunch, Music, P.E., Art, Counselor, and Library)  We discussed our behavior – following directions the first time was mentioned more than once.  So was LISTENING!!  No surprise there was talk of taking care of yourself, aka NO TATTLING!!

We made a list of rewards. We figured out we had 6 special Goldens to earn, and DONUTS has 6 letters! WHAT?!!  Guess what else has 6 letters?  RECESS!!  So we are earning a very special recess with donuts as a snack.

I whipped up a visual for my class to help keep us on track. I am hoping these delicious donuts help us focus. If nothing else they may just make us hungry.

Speaking of Hungry

I was super motivated by all the IG pictures of Gold OREOs.  I went out and found the Wilton gold spray and turned my Oreos into leprechaun GOLD!  We are finishing up our story Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato. 

It only seems fitting to eat some leprechaun gold. I made enough for my class and my next door neighbor.  Good thing I bought 2 cans of spray-- the backs didn't get as much gold, but it still tastes delicious according to my taste testers.

I think it seems like a great way to start our Spring Break.  We will be hanging at home -- Any one else have fun plans?  

March Currently

I can't believe it's already March!!!  Where did this school year go?  I'm linking up with Oh Boy It's Farley for this month's currently. 

Listening to ALL the political ads.  WHY????!!! WHY???!!!! WHY??!!!! Why is this year so challenging?  I do not identify with any one at this point, which is unusual and not good.  Not to worry though my youngest is all kinds of gung-ho since she gets to vote this year.  She was interviewed on the news at a Bernie Sanders rally today.

Loving all my Kindergarteners, they are delightful!  So kind, so thoughtful, so full of hilarious stories!  In kindergarten I tend to not believe everything that is told to me... for obvious reasons.  They are five!  My favorite this year, was the little one that told me their dad was a doctor for our local sports team. The child announced this after another student mentioned they had gone to a football game.  I literally said, "that sounds awesome!"  Not another thought.  Fast forward several weeks, mom and dad of said child are going to Hawaii out of the blue--- hmmm... I think that's wonderful, what a great get away.  Then I'm sitting at home watching the Pro Bowl with Mr. Davis and it dawns on me.  The Pro Bowl is in Hawaii, her dad is in Hawaii, HOLY MOLEY!! This kid's dad REALLY is a doctor for the sports team.  I did some googling and by goodness the kiddo was totally on point, dad is a doctor for the sports team.  (Mind Blown)

Thinking it's MARCH!! Yikes!!! We have learned so much, but I always get a bit panicky, we have so much more to do!  These kindergarteners are SMART!!!  I mean sooo bright!!  BUT.... I have plans, we have work to do!  Give me 9 more weeks before I have to hand them off.

OK... SO.... I STILL need a DAY OFF!!! Seriously, I love these kids and we have a lot to learn,  I need to re-charge.  We had exactly ZERO snow days.  That's right NONE, ZERO, ZIP, NADA,  So I need some serious refreshing.  My winter break was spent on couch duty (stupid pneumonia).  SO I am PUMPED to get to hang out at Home Goods, and Hobby Lobby, and Target.  Bring on my break!

I am a teacher need I say more?  Where's that tax refund?  No, really, what is taking so long?

Our school is not a polling site, it's a local church.  I have worked in a school that is a polling site.  NERVE RACKING-- all those people.  Not my idea of fun!  In this day and age aren't there other places for voting?!