Knox teacher transforms classroom

Staff report

BELOIT

Sarah Jones, a kindergarten teacher at Knox Elementary School, decided to change her classroom seating to be more developmentally appropriate for students.

“I have been teaching kindergarten for several years and have found that typical chairs were difficult for a 5-year-old to manage,” said Jones, who teaches in the West Branch School District. “They would tip them, fall out of them. Their feet would barely reach the floor and, most importantly, they physically lack the core body strength to sit in a chair and accomplish tasks at a table.”

Jones was able to purchase several new seating items for her classroom through DonorsChoose.org.

She shared the project with friends and family through email and Facebook, where they could make monetary donations in support.

Because of those donations, she was able to buy a table that sits low to the ground, four large pillows for students to sit on the floor, six Hokki Stools, six stability balls and to meet the needs of the students who like to stand while they work, she raised one of the tables.

As a result of the changes, Jones found that allowing her students to have choices and giving them responsibility provided them with an outlet for their energy.

Now students leave their workspace less often because they are comfortable.

“While I was hesitant at first with this concept of flexible seating in kindergarten, I have found that it has been wonderful for the students and the quality of their work. I am planning another DonorsChoose.org project soon to add more options to our classroom,” said Jones.