Flexible Seating

Thank you for coming in today! Many of you were excited to see the seating that we will be using this year. Students will be taught how about the many options for seating, as well as, how to pick the best spot for them based on many factors.
Flexible seating is a concept rooted in educational research that encourages students to choose their type of seating based on their learning preferences. For example, some students prefer to stand while learning, some students prefer to sit on the floor or on their knees, some students prefer a traditional table, and some students prefer to sit and have their work elevated in front of them, facilitated by a drafting table. I am especially aware of students who might need to move while working. These students can enjoy doing their work seated on a movable chair or yoga balls.
All together we have about 40 different seating options available for our 20 students. Whether your child prefers to sit in a traditional seat or explore a different seating option, our classroom is designed to increase communication, learning, and creativity. Students are not locked-in to a seating assignment and will have the ability to make a different seating choice when we switch subjects throughout the day, as their academic needs dictate. For example, some students may want to use a traditional type of seat during math, but then use a yoga ball while reading a favorite novel. The choice and freedom is theirs as long as they're exercising a responsible choice that helps them be academically successful. To this end, we will devote time in the first few weeks to establish an understanding of how to make appropriate choices and how to self-monitor our behavior and focus in this environment.

Please take a moment to read the article that I linked below to learn more about all of the benefits this classroom design offers our students.

Flexible seating research

Warmly,

Pam

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Making a Connection and Building Community

Today we worked on getting to know each other better as a way to connect with each other and build a positive class communiity. The kids worked hard to draw and write about themsleves. We will be sharing these with our buddies in kindergarten next week. We also worked on learning to have good conversations with each other using "turn and talk" and being good listeners and precise speakers.

The Grove-Glenview

The students had an incredible time learning what it was like to be a Native American child living on the prairie in Illinois! Our trip to the Grove was a huge success! Students took part in hands-on activities in a replica of a Native American longhouse. The Potawatomi Indians used The Grove environment prior to the arrival of the Kennicott family. This unique program explored how this group of people lived and impacted the land, and looks closely at their culture and heritage. Topics included the importance of communal living, procurement, and processing of foods and medicine, tool use, singing and dancing, handiwork and games.

Take a look at some highlights from our week ~ It was busy and exciting!

Monday: Math: We started our mental math unit this week! It is one of my favorite unit in math. Here are some reasons why: 3 Reasons to Use Mental Math I am a huge advocate of mental math. However, there was a time when I questioned what the big deal about mental math was. I was one of those teachers who firmly believed that students should learn how to add and subtract using carrying and borrowing, and that was that! Well, was I ever wrong. When I began teaching mental math, I was astonished at the growth that students experienced. Students who were not “mathematical thinkers” suddenly “got it!” And the students who were already mathematical thinkers became even quicker with their facts! For those of you who are wondering why you should start teaching it, here are three good reasons. 1. Mental Math encourages actual understanding, not just memorization. When you teach students how to add an equation such as 19+23 using carrying, you are teaching a seri...

Mrs. Katchen's Class 2017-18

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