Where have all the desks gone?
At first glance, walking into our room, you may be wondering, “Where are all the desks?” I am VERY excited to say that I use an idea to really target the ways in which students learn best, and to create a classroom based on their learning styles. This letter is a way to help explain what I am doing and why I am doing it.
So what exactly am I doing?
When you walk into our room it is obvious that there are not enough desks for each child; however, if you look closely, you will notice that there is PLENTY of room where your child can choose to work. Students will self-select a work spot during each block of instructional time (Math Workshop, Reading Workshop, Writing Workshop, Expedition Workshop). I call this “choice seating”. Some children may choose a table with several other children, while others may choose an independent work spot, such as a desk, a bean bag or rocking chair, a stool, a pillow, or a spot to lie on the floor using a clipboard. The amazing thing behind this idea is that your child, through a series of mini lessons during the first part of the year, will be given the responsibility to choose the spot where he/she can work most successfully. This summer I have been in contact with teachers from across the country that have implemented this style into their own classrooms and have had HUGE successes with it. I am confident that your students will be successful, too. I am excited to continue stepping “outside of the box” and chartering these (mostly) untraveled waters. When I talked with students last year, I realized that many of the students don’t really even LIKE sitting at their desks most of the time. Instead, they prefer to sit under it, stand behind it, or lie on the floor, and why not? Some of our best thinking is done lounging on the couch at home!
I hope you will be just as excited as I am to see what a positive impact this will have on your child’s success this year. I do realize that this is a new concept for you. While I ask for patience in the beginning (in order to work out any “kinks” that may arise) and time to allow me to teach all of the lessons that go along with “choice seating,” I welcome your feedback, questions or concerns as well.
Why are I doing it?
The following comes from The Learning Community @http://www.thelearningcommunity.us
What is a Learning Style?
We used to think that everyone studied best in the same way —sitting alone quietly at a desk in a well-lit room. Recently, researchers have found that this “style” of acquiring new knowledge doesn’t work for everyone. Some people will remember a paragraph better if they read it while lying on the sofa rather than sitting at a desk. Some people will remember it better if they’re listening to music. The individual way in which each of us learns best is our personal learning style.
Why is Learning Style Important?
Learning style is more than a question of being physically comfortable while studying. A child who doesn’t study according to his or her learning style will have trouble learning and retaining new information. This mismatch not only affects your child’s performance, but also his or her attitude toward learning. In other words, learning style relates to your child’s motivation.
It’s important to remember that children can learn almost any subject matter if it’s taught in a matter consistent with their learning style. By the same token, when learning style is ignored, your child’s chances of failing increase substantially. By supporting your child’s learning style, you help make learning easier and more enjoyable—a rewarding, lifelong pursuit for your child.
What is my child’s learning style?
Notice the way your children study. Do they like to study in front of the television or with music? Do they close the door to their rooms and disappear for an hour or two? If it works, don’t try to change your child’s routine. It may seem hard to believe that your child is actually learning, but remember, you may have a very different learning style.
Learning styles can change. In fact, most children start out with a more global learning style and move into an analytical style (analyzing everything) as they get older. But this doesn’t mean that your child will eventually end up at a desk.
What happens when my child goes to school?
This is an important question, because your child’s learning style doesn’t change just because he or she leaves home. It is essential that your child’s classroom teacher take different learning styles into account in order to meet each child’s needs.
***One way to determine whether your child’s teacher supports different learning styles is to notice how the classroom is set up. It should at least recognize the difference between global and analytic learners, for example, by offering different seating arrangements. One area may have traditional desks, another may have rugs, pillows, or beanbag chairs.***
The key is whether
the classroom offers a variety of environments. Such a classroom will be divided into different areas so
that children with one learning style can study in one area without interfering
with children in another area where a different learning style is being
supported.
Smiles & Peace, Carla
Many thanks to Mrs. Poovey & Mrs. Kile for the framework of this letter
