We are excited to try our new alternative seating option in the Art room to support our diverse learners. We would like to thank the Clark family for donating the lap trays. Next we would like to provide more standing options
What?!
You painted on the 1st day of school?! Are you crazy?! Crazy? No. Daring? Yes. The first day is full of rules, rules, rules and more rules. I didn't want to look out at a crowd of glazed over eyes and overloaded brains. So I decided to jump right in and have them stretch their art muscles with a painting activity that explored the Elements of Art: Line, Shape and Color. It was such a treat to have a day full of color and creativity. I am interested in flexible seating in the Art room. Flexible seating will make our learning space more student-centered. This means that when students are working they will have the freedom to find comfortable spaces around the room to work. Research shows that students are better able to focus and do their best work when they are comfortable. Students might choose to sit, kneel or stand in various locations in the classroom. Many flexible seating classrooms remove many of their tables and do not have a class set of traditional chairs. In addition, they have ball chairs, floor cushions, crates and carpet squares. Plus, they might lower or raise tables.
I would like to ease into flexible seating. I will start by keeping all my traditional tables and chairs in our usual arrangment. I would like to provide some standing options at my existing counters and build some other options. I already have a class rug and clipboards for some sitting and kneeling options. However, I would like to provide more options. We will see what works for our learners and make adjustments as needed. How you can help: I would appreciate donations of small rugs for individual seating/kneeling. Plus, I like the multi-purpose lap tray at Hobby Lobby for $6.99. Multi-purpose lap tray link here. In addition, I need someone to build wood surfaces that I can place on rows of storage boxes to create tall working spaces for students to stand. If you are interested in helping, you can email me at [email protected]. Please make the subject "Flexible Seating." Thank you for your support.
This post automatically replaced my July newsletter with my August newsletter.
MRE Assembly – Cartoonist Duane Abel: Thursday, May 5th
Duane M. Abel is the cartoonist behind the comic strip series ZED. He will bring his talents to MRE on May 5th for a school-wide student assembly, Draw Your Destiny! Draw Your Destiny promotes goal setting, the power of literacy and importance of education with the four words required for success. This assembly is endorsed by Leader in Me Lighthouse Status Schools, The Charles M. Schulz Museum and hundreds of school administrators nationwide! Please visit the following website to learn more about Duane Abel: http://www.corkeycomics.com/ We’d like to thank the MRE PTA for funding the cost of the assembly! Assembly Schedule: K-2 at 9:45am 3-5 at 10:45am |