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Project Goal

My goal is to create an art studio that embraces all learners through flexible seating. I will achieve my goal by replacing my 27 uncomfortable student chairs with 18in stools. 

 

How Project Benefits Students

1. Gives middle school students a chance to move. Kids sit all day long. Physical education is an elective at Randall Middle school. If the student takes this elective, he/she receives about 5 hours of a student’s 40-hour school week. That means students sit an average of 35 hours a week in school! Children need to move. Flexible seating allows them to wobble, rock, bounce, lean or stand, which increases oxygen flow to the brain, blood flow and core strength. In turn, this burns more calories and increases metabolism. It also helps keep young minds more alert and focused. It’s no surprise that physical activity is linked to higher academic performance, better health, and improved behavior.
2. Standing encourages focus and mindfulness. Mindfulness is the simple act of being more aware of yourself and the space around you. Standing is a great way to keep the brain not only alert but also focused on the present moment. Increases blood flow and keeps students’ brains and bodies alert and awake. When students rely on their own muscles to keep themselves upright, their minds are forced to stay more present. Mindful students are better able to stay focused on their artwork from start to finish.
3. Standing provides a better angle for art making. Before getting rid of chairs in my room, I would often suggest standing as a way to “unstick” the mind of a struggling student. Changing the viewing angle of a piece of work is a technique I use in my own art making to give myself a fresh perspective. Standing can give a student who feels cramped up and uncreative a more confident and powerful feeling. A standing student has a better range of motion for art tasks including painting, drawing, or kneading a ball of clay.
4. It allows for quicker transitions. You’d be surprised how much time it saves when students don’t have to transition in and out of their seats. These precious moments add up to create more student work time. When students enter my room, they either sit in front of the board or gather around the largest table for a demonstration. This is the fastest way I have found to get them ready to learn. When the demo is complete, students can easily walk over to the materials and get started on their projects. When you only have 45 minutes to demo a lesson, get students working, and clean up, every minute counts.
5. Flexible seating for 504/IEP/ESE/SN Flexible seating allows students to easily pair up, work in small groups, or discuss as a whole class. Many flexible seating options stimulate students' sense of touch. This type of stimulation can help children focus and process information. Sensory input is especially helpful for students with ADHD, ADD, and ASD.
 

 

Expected Outcome(s)

Positive Outcomes:
1. Higher academic performance and improved unwanted behaviors will help facilitate my curriculum allowing for more intrinsic projects.
2. Mindfulness is the simple act of being more aware of yourself and the space around you. Standing is a great way to keep the brain not only alert but also focused on the present moment…by incorporating stools instead of chairs, I am hoping that my students are more alert in their compositions and clean-up.
3. It allows for quicker transitions…Randall Middle School has no bells! The students have 4 minutes to pass from class to class. Having as much time as possible helps with accomplishing my curriculum.
4. Flexible seating allows students to easily pair up, work in small groups, or discuss as a whole class. Many flexible seating options stimulate students' sense of touch. Stools would be perfect for this accommodation.
 

 

Detailed Cost Summary

National Public Seating's 6200 Series Heavy-Duty Black Steel Stool is a comfortable, durable and attractive addition to any art room, science lab or classroom. The scratch-resistant black finish adds a contemporary touch to one of NPS's most popular stools. Each stool has sturdy legs made of 18-gauge steel tubing plus a foot ring that is welded to the stool at four different points for extra stability. Eight rivets on the Masonite seat prevent warping. Plastic glides keep your stool level and won't mar floors. Meets or exceeds ANSI/BIFMA standards. This National Public Seating 6200 Series Heavy-Duty Black Steel Stool has a fixed height of 18" and comes backed by a 10-year warranty.  

 

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