Alternative Seating ~ In Need of Your Thoughts!!

Hi Folks,

Third day of summer vacay and I'm already thinking about what I can do differently next year.  Aren't we blessed that way?  Finish up a year, feel good about it, but then start fresh next school year.  We're so lucky to be able to reinvent ourselves and our classrooms each year.

So, my current thinking is about alternative seating.  I've been tossing this idea around for a few years now and just haven't taken the leap.  I *think* I might be ready to go for it next school year...but I might need a little encouragement {or, "what the heck are you thinking"} from all of you.

Here's my thought process...

The last few years I've been concerned that my kiddos are coming to me with different needs than what they once did.  They just seem more distracted and in need of a faster pace.  I started speculating why this was and I do have my thoughts - but it did strike me the other day, that it's just as much about the kids as it is our teaching.

Classrooms have changed, expectations have grown. I'm pretty sure the difference in my classroom today versus 15 years ago is a combination of high expectations {developmentally appropriate isn't even in our vocabulary anymore} and kids coming in with different needs/ways of learning {thanks video games and overbooked/overcooked families}. What I do know is I'd like to set up the environment in a way that will help my little ones, who have only been on this earth for 6 whole years - yet are expected to infer, use their schema and perform mental math operations that I still have troubles with, succeed.  

I do want to put out there that my students have never sat at their desks 6 hours out of any day - we do move around the room during workplaces, science experiments, reader's workshop,  etc., but I'm thinking about writer's workshop, and other times during the day when they are sitting on those hard, uncomfortable chairs.

So, I'm thinking about bringing alternative seating into my classroom.  Before you give me your thoughts let me share with you how I see this looking and working in my classroom.  {I definitely have a lot of questions and wonderings too}

I'm thinking I want to purchase a couple moon chairs {something like this}...

This one is from Walmart - wonder if I can find them somewhere for even cheaper?

Butter up my awesome custodian and see if he'll lower a table or two so that I can have this...

Miss Hoffman's Class - visit her website for more cool info on alternative seating...

I already have lots of pillows, a mini couch, wiggle seats, a rocking chair and a big chair with pillows for the kids to sit on.  

And our PTA purchased 5 stability balls for me at the end of the school year.

PTA purchased ours using Campbell Soup label points

I figure I'll keep six first grade desks, and get 3 bigger kid desks and have those raised as high as they will go for my "standers"...

Think about how much space I'll have in my room with only 9 desks!

I already have a kidney bean table for guided reading - so kids could work there when I'm not.  I'm hoping that in the future I can purchase some bean bags to add to the collection.  

Oh, and I have these guys from IKEA...

Only $7.99 at IKEA - and they are strong enough to hold me!
I have cute crabby and froggy cushions to go on top.

I also have a classroom set of clipboards and might look into purchasing a few lap desks...

$15 at Walmart - wonder if I can find them cheaper somewhere?

So, here's what's holding me back...

1.Storage.

The only investment I have to put into this {so far} are the mushroom chairs {and maybe some lap desks} - everything else I have already.  Since I won't have one set "seat" for the students I have to think of ways to store materials such as:

*Folders

*Math book, handwriting book

*Pencil boxes

2. Management

*How do I manage who sits where - especially early on.  I can see once my kiddos are solid in rules and routines being able to introduce something like alternative seating, but I'm pretty concerned with how this will look at the beginning of the school year.  I think it's this piece that's REALLY holding me back, more than management of supplies.

I'm still not 100 percent sure if I'm going to take the leap and do this - but I really, really want to.  I think it's what my students need to help them stay engaged with this "rigorous curriculum".  Buuuutttt....if I don't manage it properly and have all my ducks in a row going into it, it could really go south.  {I'm sort of a control freak...sorta, but I'm calming down in the area with age...HA!}

Here are a few websites I've found on the topic to help me {and you if you're wondering about it} wrap my brain around it further...

Article on Balance Balls and Balance Discs

Stability Balls let Kids get out Their Wiggles

Using Exercise Balls in School Instead of Chairs

Second Grade Paradise Blogged about Alternative Seating

Second Grade Paradise - Seating Lessons

So, I would REALLY like you to weigh in.  What do you think about desks vs. tables?  Alternative seating vs. traditional seating?  Do you have any ideas for storage if a teacher should opt out of desks?  

My mind is whirling - but I'm excited about this new venture!

Toodles!

Classroom Management - Linky Party

I'm linking up with my bloggy friend, Leigh from Applicious Teacher to talk about my classroom management.

You know, I'm pretty much chef's surprise when it comes to just about anything in my classroom.  I've never found one 'anything' that works for me.  Daily 5?  Gotta tweak it. Centers?  I kinda do those my own way too.  So, it's no surprise that my classroom management is constantly changing, and doesn't hinge on one set system...it's more of a hodge podge.

My school is delving into Conscious Discipline this coming year.  I'm still a wee bit skeptical; but I can give anything a shot.  It's hard not to have the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality.  I feel like classroom management is one of my strengths...but, there some parts of CD that I really find interesting...it's brain based  and that part of it just makes sense to me.  So, we'll see...I could be singing a different tune come next year.  But for now, this is how I roll...

I find that at the beginning of the year, it's important to do two things. Build community and establish clear and defined limits. If it's too grey - our students don't know what to do with that.  I'm not of the "don't smile until Christmas" mentality, but I definitely let the kids know what's acceptable and what's not early on.

Along with that, we do something called "Snoopy Dollars".  The kids can earn stickers for various things and after ten stickers on their Snoopy Dollars they can "shop" in our treasure box.

We fill our classroom's bucket...

We fill out "think sheets"...

And, if needed, we have our own little plans that help us along.  Sometimes it's a "private office" {you know, sometimes you need your own space, away from others who might distract you, or you may distract}...or a visual timer...this one is my favorite.

Or it could be a wiggle seat to help contain {but allow} our wigglies...these are my favorites.  The kids also use them for Book Nooks during Daily 5.  

I did get the ClassDojo app last year but didn't use it.  After reading about it over at Hadar's blog I think I may give it a shot this school year.  

Of course there's the "Magic Word" ...

...that I usually pull out of my hat mid-year.  

So, yeah - pretty much chef's surprise.  I've got more under my sleeve...just like I'm sure you do!

More than anything, I think what helps me with classroom management is the connections I make with the kids.  The little stories I tell them about myself and my family.  The moments they share about themselves as people and make connections to one another. The conversations we have about being leaders, respecting others and their learning and of course, respecting ourselves....

Sporting something like this always helps...

You must own a pair of these glasses...wakes your snoozers up!!!!
Isn't that dog the cutest?!?

For other great ideas...go check out Leigh's linky party!

Parent Volunteer Thanks! *Freebie*

Hi Folks!

So, it'd be pretty hard to do what we do without the help from our parents...wouldn't it?  I know some parents find it hard to volunteer in the classroom {I'm one of them...I'm in my own classroom!!!} which means some of us are doing it all on our own...bless you!

I'm a lucky lady.  I have just the right number of parents who like to help out.  No helicopters in the bunch!  I mostly use parents as "station leaders" weekly during Learning Stations {centers}.  Our grade level also has parents come in and help with our Motor Parent program each week. 

It was time to cross that item off my to-do list {which grows by the day at the end of the school year}.  Barb {just search her name on my blog - you'll soon find out she's my "go-to-gal"} sent me the text with the cutest idea...thank goodness for that chicklet because I've been close to tears {or close to diving into the party bag of M&M's I used} for the past two days...no. brain. power. left.

Just grab some of these jars from IKEA {or ikea.com}...

And then grab yourself some of these {and some will power}...

And this...

Am I the only one who has a love affair with raffia?

And these...



Pick yours up by clicking on the picture {google docs}

And finally you'll get something like this...

7 1/2 more days {I'm countin'}...

Oh, and I just got this in the mail today....

...NOW I'm ready!

Toodles!

 

 

 

 

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!!

Hey Everybody...

Are we there yet?!?!?!  When are we gonna get there? Huh? Huh? Huh?  You know me, I'm a foot dragger - Got 'em where I want 'em and don't want to let 'em go!  But I am a little tired of their crazy antics these last few days. 

Yesterday was a {much needed} half day - like a REAL one.  Not one where the kids go home and the parents think you go home too, but you don't - you sit in meetings all day long and wish you were teaching instead but the general public thinks you get all these days off but you really don't...but yesterday...

WAS A REAL HALF DAY!!!!!!  

And this weekend is a nice long one! The Memorial Day parade is one of my favorites - honoring those who fight or have fought for our freedom always gives me goosebumps.

Photo by Maddie Dean Photography

My Uncle David fought in Vietnam.  I never got to meet him, but love listening to stories his sister {my mom} tells about him and am in awe of his bravery.

Have you ever visited the Vietnam Veterans Virtual Wall?

I read this book yesterday {It's a tear-jerker}...

I didn't forget the moms!

If there's a military hero you'd like to honor - feel free to share in my comments.

Happy l o n g weekend to ya's!

Five For Friday

I'm starting this blog post - and if it makes it to the end, you know...

Well...

I made it to the end. Because right now I'm predicting I'll get about mid-way and throw in the towel. {Of course if that were the case - you wouldn't be reading this because I wouldn't post that nonsense...} That's how it has been these last few weeks. I try to sit down and concentrate only to either:

A, B & C:  Fall asleep {I have home row permanently embedded on my forehead}

I think I can muster up enough energy to post five random pictures from my week.  Thanks Doodle Bugs Teaching!

My pitcher boy...

Reviewing some blends...

I have no energy to fix this...

She's BEGGING to be walked...who can resist?

Lots of lilacs came my way this week...I had the sweet smell with me wherever I went...

I made it to the end. Miracles do happen.  I hope you all had a great week!  So how many of us are on summer vacation?  Go ahead - you can tell me, I can handle it.  For those of us still mustering up enough energy to make it through these last weeks...how long do you have?

Happy Friday!

Teacher Appreciation

Hey Everybody!

I sure hope somebody, somewhere shows you that they appreciate you - because you are a mountain-mover!  

Visit me at my store!

I consider all of you, out there, my colleagues.  Thanks, so much, for "listening" and sharing your ideas with me.  I learn as much {if not more} from you as I hope you learn from me.  Teaching isn't always glamorous {okay, glamorous might be a stretch any way you look at it} but blogging and connecting with all of you helps me stay focused and positive...so thanks!

Wham, Bam - Thank You Instagram...

Hey Everybody - 

As you can tell, this blog of mine has taken a back seat to...

Baseball

Soccer

Testing

Teaching

Cleaning 

Baseball practice

Soccer practice

More cleaning {muddy fields are wreaking havoc on my house!!!!}...

That's why I LOVE Instagram...I can post a photo...just like that and give you a little glimpse of what's going on in my classroom {and sometimes in my life outside of the classroom ... <gasp> ... I DO have a life - it's true!}

So the gals over at What the Teacher Wants and Apples and ABC's are hosting a weekly party Instagram-style every Tuesday.  Just post your pics and use the hashtag: #teachertalktuesday in your description.

Don't worry if you're wondering what all this hype is about with teacher bloggers {and non bloggers for that matter - teachers everywhere - let's UNITE and post classroom happenings on Instagram} on Instagram - I didn't get the hullabaloo about it either...but it's really fun.  You just open up the Instagram App, snap a picture, pretty it up {My photos never looked so good} and post it.  You can look around too, like people's photos and maybe add a little comment if you're so inclined.  It's simple and random and I'm all about that.

If you're not a blogger you can still check out Teacher Talk Tuesday and find your favorite bloggers on Instagram, follow them and enjoy little snippets from their day...

@Crisscrossapplesaucein1stgrade
You can even follow me on your computer - just click the pic!

Here are some of my current faves...

Such an awesome read aloud.  Our school participated in One School,  One Book!

My new table top easel...LOVE!!!!

Pattern block reflections in math workplaces last week...

See what you missed!!!!!  

Oh, just one more...

Rainbows - thanks Caitlin!!!

Here's the spring acrostic poem paper I used if you want it...

Fonts: Cupcake for the Teacher, Clipart: Creative Clips
Download in Google Drive

Hope you had a great start to your week...my kiddos are still in full-on full moon mode...

Hardy, har, har...

Toodles!