Third and fourth graders at Wampus Elementary School now have the opportunity to share a soft, comfy bench with a friend while working on an assignment or sit in a padded floor chair.
Thanks to a gift from the Byram Hills Education Foundation, all third and fourth grade classrooms received three benches and four chairs this year, similar to a foundation grant that provided flexible seating in the fifth grade classrooms last school year. Building on the success of the furniture in the fifth grade classes, third grade teacher Alyssa Leahy and fourth grade teacher Holly Diorio wrote the grant proposal for their grade.
There’s no doubt that the third and fourth graders are enjoying the new flexible furniture. They sit on the brightly colored pieces all different ways, reclining in a seat or pulling one up to a low table, sitting on the benches, leaning against them or lying across them.
The third graders in Lindsey McHale’s class use the flexible seats daily for activities including morning reading, math games and projects. Because the seating is lightweight, it’s easy for the students to move the pieces around the room to a spot they like and it gives them an alternative to sitting at their desk or on the carpet.
“They’re always excited when it’s their day,” she said of the benches, which seat two students each.
“Our students love to use the flexible seating for group work because they can choose to arrange the furniture in a way where all students can be heard and participate in different ways,” Ms. McHale said. “We have a variety of learning styles in our classroom. The flexible seating allows students to be reflective about the way they work best and gives them autonomy in their learning.”
Fourth grade teacher Kelley Moriarty said her students use flexible seating throughout the day for independent or partner work and in small group work with a teacher.
“Student choice is a huge component of student success,” she said. “Incorporating flexible seating into our classrooms gives our students the ability to be independent and collaborative learners.”
“Students are able to identify what type of environment they work best in, which leads to an increase in confidence, accountability and success,” she added. “Flexible seating gives our students more opportunity to work with one another and for increased communication and engagement during activities and assignments.”
The seats are popular with students, who like them because they are comfortable, allow them to work with a friend, give them extra room and the opportunity to work independently in the right spot for them.
Sitting on a bench working on a social studies project in Ms. McHale’s classroom, third grader Evelyn Adler said she likes that the seats give her a choice of where to sit and that they are soft.
“It’s nice to sit where you like to sit,” she said. “They just feel better and it feels more like you can focus because you’re sitting where you like.”
Coby Siles, one of her classmates, was sitting nearby in one of the chairs. He said he likes the new seating options because they’re portable and comfortable.
“They’re amazing,” he said. “They’re good for learning.”
In Ms. Moriarty's class, fourth graders were enjoying the seats while working on a science assignment.
Sitting on a bench, Michela Cohron said: “It’s really, really comfy.”
Her classmate, Justin Jacobs, said he feels comfortable in the seats, which is good for schoolwork because “it helps me relax and focus.”
Principal David Mack thanked the BHEF.
“We’re grateful that the BHEF continues to support the idea our teachers have to help create dynamic classroom environments to support our students,” he said. “The new seating provides great options for our students to learn in a way that is best for them.”
