Welcome to the start of a new school year! I am very excited about some new changes that we will be incorporating in our classroom this year.  Movement is going to be a major focus in our room.  Research shows that movement is a key component for children to learn!

See all the ways that learning occurs through movement!

My inspiration for this school year came from what I have taken away from my graduate course this summer.  According to Connell and McCarthy in A Moving Child is a Learning Child, movement is the foundation for learning. Below you will see what I'm centering my philosophy around.

One major change that you will notice in our room this year is that we are ditching the traditional desks.  Students will have several options for sitting and standing that they can utilize to complete their work.  This arrangement is called flexible seating.  Giving students the choice of where to sit and having the option to freely move about to complete work will hopefully help to reduce negative behaviors.

Here is a sample of what flexible seating can look like:

This sample picture was borrowed from http://thecreativecolorfulclassroom.blogspot.com/2016/03/flexible-seating.html

Each child develops differently and acquires knowledge uniquely.  Flexible seating provides one way to meet individual needs.  Activities and lessons will be designed with the Kinetic Scale below.  By individualizing activities through the use of this scale, students will receive a well-balanced physical diet for whole-body and whole-brain development.

As parents, you play such a valuable role in helping your child to learn! Encourage your child to move and explore at home. Your interactions and conversations have such a powerful impact on your child.  See how you can help your child to learn through conversations below:

I am so excited to partner with you this school year to get kids up and moving and learning!