Thanks for your ideas about middle schoolers sitting on the floor.
I should let you know that at Open House, I asked the parents if their
kids could sit on the floor. All the parents except one said yes. It
is the students who have made this decision (I suspect with some
dishonesty) that they cannot sit on the floor. It is the students who
tend not to want to read or write much who complain. Most of the class
seems fine with sitting on the floor.
I suspect (from the time that I did have a couch in a different room)
that the "cool" kids will always be in a chair. They get to be
"taller" that way. The kids who aren't as popular will then decide
that they want to be in a chair too. Eventually everyone will be in a
chair. In some ways, that works because there are enough chairs for
everyone. They will just have to move their chairs.
I would much prefer that change over some kids being in a chair and
some kids being on the floor. Otherwise the kids in the chairs would
have to be in the back because they will be taller. (Kids sitting on
the floor need to be able to see.) That allows the students in chairs
to hide by being in the back. Some students need to be right next to
me.
I do not have room for couches for everyone and I don't have a place to
store 25 bean bags. I also suspect that bean bags will be damaged and
I will have "beans" all over the floor.
I'm going to try the option of the chairs. If it works, we can
continue, problem solved.
Quoting Sherry R Elmore <[email protected]>:
I agree! I spent 26 years in 8th grade before moving into a coach
position. My
students enjoyed having choice. Most were comfortable on the floor but some
would choose to remain in a chair. I did not find that it decreased the
community environment. If you have the funds or can find a
donor....they LOVE
bean bag chairs and the stack amazingly well. Many of my students
would bring
them for the classroom and then take them at the end of the year.
Sherry Elmore
Curriculum Coach
Chatham Middle School
2025 S. 2nd Ave. Ext.
Siler City, NC 27344
(919) 663-2414
_____
From: Rabundles [mailto:[email protected]]
To: [email protected], Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies
Email Group
[mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Sat, 02 Oct 2010 03:47:43 -0400
Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] sitting on the floor?
I teach 6th grade in Middle School and most, but not all, think
sitting on the floor is "babyish." I bought individual square cusions
that the students can use if they sit on the floor. Those that want to
sit up close to me and the book sit on the floor with a cushion. All
others bring their chairs in tight or sit on top of the desks close to
me. And between the 3 levels - floor, chair, desk - everyone can see
and it works real well.
~Lisa
On 10/1/10, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
> I teach middle school. Last year we adopted the workshop model. Our
> trainer explained why we have students move in close and sit on the
> floor during mini lessons. Last year this worked for my students.
>
> This year several of my students are complaining about sitting on the
> floor. They say it hurts their back or knees.
>
> I don't want to say the SOME kids can sit in chairs, but others cannot.
> I'm looking for your thoughts on everyone moving their chairs in
> close.
>
> I have my doubts because it does not feel as intimate, and I think it
> will not allow me to get in close to the kids when they are talking
> with their partners.
>
> I'm especially interested in hearing from middle school teachers about
> what has worked for you.
> Thanks!
> Jan
>
>
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