Our project aims to create a more dynamic, student-centered learning environment through flexible seating options in our 4th grade classroom. With the support of this grant, we will purchase items such as wobble stools, floor cushions, standing desks, and other adaptable seating to better meet the diverse needs of our students. Flexible seating encourages collaboration, improves focus, and empowers students by giving them choice in how they learn best. This initiative will foster greater engagement, comfort, and academic growth in our classroom community.

The traditional classroom setup of rigid desks and chairs does not adequately support the diverse physical, emotional, and academic needs of today’s students. In our 4th grade classroom, we serve approximately 25 students from varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Many of our students face challenges such as attention deficits, sensory processing needs, anxiety, and difficulty with sustained focus in static environments. The current seating options—uniform desks and plastic chairs—limit student movement, comfort, and choice, which directly impacts their engagement, behavior, and academic success.

To address the need for a more supportive, inclusive, and student-centered learning environment in our 4th grade classroom, we propose the implementation of a flexible seating initiative. This project will create a physical space that fosters focus, movement, engagement, and collaborative learning—key elements shown to boost academic success and personal growth. By the end of the 2025–2026 school year, we will implement a fully functioning flexible seating environment in our 4th grade classroom to meet the varied academic, emotional, and physical needs of approximately 25 students. We aim to see at least a 20% increase in student engagement (measured through participation logs and observation checklists) and a 15% decrease in off-task behavior during core instruction times, as tracked over two grading periods.  Through this grant, we will purchase a variety of flexible seating options—such as wobble stools, standing desks, floor cushions, and soft seating—designed for a range of learning preferences and physical needs. These items will replace or supplement traditional desk-and-chair setups. This initiative supports our school district’s mission to personalize learning by allowing students to choose their preferred environment and develop a sense of ownership over their learning process. Flexible seating encourages student agency, which is key to differentiated instruction, project-based learning, and inclusive classroom practices. A more engaging, responsive physical environment can significantly impact student success. Research published in Frontiers in Psychology (2019) found that students in classrooms with alternative seating options demonstrated improved academic focus and better behavioral regulation. Similarly, the American Journal of Occupational Therapy has noted that active seating increases on-task behavior in children with attention needs. Our classroom has several students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 accommodations, many of whom require frequent movement, sensory input, or alternative seating to remain engaged. Increased comfort and mobility help all students—especially those with learning differences or anxiety—feel more in control, less fatigued, and more connected to their classroom environment. It also supports collaboration, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning by fostering flexible group dynamics and respectful interactions.