Coon Rapids, MN: Kindergarten teacher uses flexible seating to help kids learn

Jan 20, 2018, Coon Rapids (MN) Morrison County Record: Pierz kindergarten teacher makes learning fun https://www.hometownsource.com/morrison_county_record/pierz-kindergarten-teacher-makes-learning-fun/article_b1945070-fd44-11e7-9c15-37eed3a6aac3.html When Jessica Adamski, a kindergarten teacher at Pioneer Elementary School in Pierz noticed how difficult it was for some students to learn, she knew she needed to change something. “Last year, I had a very difficult class as a whole and found myself fighting a lot with them about sitting,” she said. In March 2017, Adamski adopted a unique teaching style another teacher was using at school. Instead of having the traditional assigned seating with benches and chairs, she allowed the students to decide their own seating. “I thought, ‘Why should I care about if they are standing in the back instead of sitting on a chair as long as they are listening to me?’” she said. Adamski has 23 students in her classroom. Various seating options are available to the students, such as balls, wobble chairs, rocking chairs, a slanted table and more. … Since the switch, Adamski has seen significant improvements in the students. For the most part, their attention span is longer and they have become more open to learning new things. … Erinn has a sensory processing disorder and also went through a traumatic event last summer. Because Erinn’s special needs are being met, Jacqueline and her husband, Jon, are very grateful for the difference Adamski makes. …