Flexible Seating

Dominion Trail Elementary School
5th Grade Class

I believe each and every student is impacted by flexible seating in a positive way, but there are certainly a few that stand out. I think of students A and C, both diagnosed with ADHD. Student A finds it hard to focus and often chose to read in a scoop chair or work on independent work with a clipboard on the carpet. Student C had trouble sitting still, and often chose to work at a standing desk. I think of student J. Student J came to me with several behaviors that made it hard for both he and his classmates to really focus on the tasks at hand. Student J knew he had to earn the privilege of choosing his seat, and worked hard to stay engaged in his learning so he could work comfortably in a seat of his choosing. Another way flexible seating helped student J was socially. Flexible seating options around a raised table allowed him to make connections with students he may not have thought to work with otherwise. I think of student W, who came to our class in November. Student W was extremely shy and found it hard to break into the classroom community, at first. Having the opportunity to sit around a lowered table, on stools and kneeling pads, brought student W close to two young ladies who also preferred the lowered table. Something as simple as preference and proximity allowed student W to break into the classroom community, forming new bonds and friendships.