Grant supports flexible seating pilot at H-BC Elementary

Second-graders at Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary will have a new seating arrangement next year, thanks to nearly $24,000 in donations.
H-BC School Board members formally accepted the funds at their April 11 meeting.
Teacher Renee Edmundson will pilot a flexible seating project that utilizes standing desks, wobble chairs, portable lap desks, floor rockers and table seating with white board tops.
“This wouldn’t be possible without all of these generous people,” she said. “I’ve dreamed about a classroom like this.”
Edmundson applied to the Frank Boon trust, receiving $17,195. Midwest Railcar and Repair added $5,000, with Kevin and Robin Baum giving $250 toward the pilot. The district itself approved $1,500.
Since the pilot program’s approval, Edmundson has been busy ordering the new classroom furniture, the majority of which will arrive this fall.
“Flexible seating creates inclusion for all students,” Edmundson said. “No matter what student walks in, they will find a place to fit in.”
Studies on flexible seating indicate students feel empowered by having a seating choice, which leads to more engagement in their education.
“Sometimes, when kids are wiggling, it is when they’re paying their best attention,” Edmundson said.
Flexible seating also enhances physical movement by allowing the increase of oxygen flow to the brain, blood flow throughout the body and the improvement of core strength.
Due to easy mobility, flexible seating can be moved into collaborative seating for pairs or small group projects.
The portable lap desks can be carried by students outside on nice days for outdoor lessons.
As a pilot, Edmundson’s choice of seating may not be for all teachers.
She said the flexible classroom can create more “chaos” as students move around the room finding their seats and getting to work.
Edmundson, who is in her seventh year of teaching at H-BC, knows she’ll need to develop more expectations for her students as they get used to new seating arrangements.
Measuring the pilot’s success may rely on student feedback as well as possible learning growth captured by standardized tests.