Confident Seats, Confident Minds: A Flexible Future for Fourth Grade

School:: Maude Saunders Elementary
Subject:: Teaching Quality
Teacher:: Shannah Acevedo
Students Impacted:: 21
Grade:: 4
Date:: September 11, 2025

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

CHELCO - $1,000.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 19

The implementation of flexible seating through the Confident Seats, Confident Minds grant has had a powerful and positive impact on my fourth-grade classroom, particularly for students with ADHD and other self-regulation needs. By providing purposeful movement options such as wobble seating, flexible chairs, and alternative workspaces, students are now able to meet their sensory and physical needs while remaining engaged in learning.

Before flexible seating was introduced, many students—especially those with ADHD—struggled to stay seated, focused, and regulated. Their movement needs often appeared as frequent wandering, fidgeting that disrupted instruction, or difficulty maintaining attention during whole-group lessons. With flexible seating in place, those same students now have appropriate and structured outlets for movement. Instead of moving around the classroom, students are able to move within their seats, which has significantly reduced off-task behavior and classroom disruptions.

Flexible seating has also promoted a calmer, more focused learning environment overall. Students demonstrate increased on-task behavior, longer attention spans, and improved engagement during both independent work and collaborative activities. Many students independently select seating options that best support their learning, showing increased self-awareness and responsibility for their own needs. This autonomy has strengthened student confidence and ownership of learning.

Behaviorally, the impact has been especially noticeable. Students who previously required frequent redirection are now better regulated and more successful during instructional time. The seating options help students channel excess energy in productive ways, allowing them to focus on academic tasks without drawing negative attention to themselves. This has contributed to stronger peer interactions and a more inclusive classroom climate.

Academically, students are more settled, ready to learn, and able to persevere through challenging tasks. Flexible seating has supported equitable access to instruction by removing physical barriers that often prevented students with ADHD from fully engaging. The classroom environment now reflects responsiveness to diverse learning needs and supports the whole child—socially, emotionally, and academically.

Overall, the Confident Seats, Confident Minds grant has transformed my classroom into a space where movement is not viewed as a behavior problem, but as a learning support. The investment in flexible seating has resulted in improved student behavior, increased engagement, and a more positive classroom culture—benefits that are clearly reflected in daily instruction and captured in the accompanying photos.

grant photo

Original Grant Overview

Goal

To create a dynamic, inclusive learning environment that supports the academic and behavioral success of all students—especially those with ADHD—through flexible seating options that promote movement, comfort, and choice.

What will be done with my students

Implementation Plan:
1. Students will be introduced to each seating option through a classroom tour and discussion.
2. A seating contract will be signed to ensure responsible use.
3. Students will reflect weekly on which seating helps them focus best.
Timeline:
Week 1: Order and receive seating items
Week 2: Classroom setup and student orientation
Week 3: Begin flexible seating use
Week 4–8: Weekly student feedback and behavior tracking
Week 9: Mid-point review and adjustments
Week 18: Final review and impact summary for grant report

Benefits to my students

This project will benefit my students by improving focus and attention, reduce restlessness and disruptive behavior, increase engagement and ownership of learning, and enhance collaboration and comfort.

Flexible seating has been shown to increase student engagement and academic performance, reduce behavioral issues, especially in students with ADHD, by allowing movement and sensory input, promote student choice, autonomy, and comfort, which are key for neuro-divergent learners. This project grant will also support effective classroom collaboration and a more personalized, positive learning environment.

Budget Narrative

Each flexible seating item was selected with intention to support the academic and social/emotional needs of my 21 fourth-grade students, especially those with ADHD and attention challenges. Here's how each item contributes to our goal:

Wobble Chairs Impact: Allow controlled movement while seated, which helps students with ADHD stay focused and regulate energy. Support: Increases time-on-task and reduces disruptive behavior, directly supporting improved test performance.

Bean Bags Impact: Provide a calming, cozy space for reading or independent work.
Support: Reduces anxiety and increases comfort, helping students feel safe and confident in their learning environment.

Lap Cushions/Desks Impact: Offer portable workspaces that allow students to sit on the floor while maintaining structure. Support: Encourages choice and autonomy, which boosts engagement and ownership of learning.
High-Top Tables and Chairs
Impact: Give students the option to stand or sit at elevated surfaces, promoting movement and alertness. Support: Supports kinesthetic learners and improves focus during collaborative or independent tasks.

Yoga Ball Chairs
Impact: Engage core muscles and provide sensory input while seated. Support: Helps students self-regulate and maintain attention during instruction.

Floor Cushions Impact: Create flexible zones for small group work or quiet reading.
Support: Encourages collaboration and comfort, which fosters confidence and positive peer interactions.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	Wobble Chairs for desk (2 @ 50.00 each)	$100.00
2	Balance Ball with Base (Retrospec Luna Exercise Ball with Stability (2 @ 25.99)	$51.98
3	Degrees of Comfort 6 piece round floor cushions (2 @ 54.99)	$109.98
4	Standing Desks 2 @ 89.99	$179.98
5	Lapgear MyStyle Portable Lap Desk with Cushion (3 @ 19.99)	$59.97
6	Kivenjaja Table and Chairs Set for 2 (High Top)	$99.99
7	Big Joe Milano Beanbag Chair 2 @ 61.99	$123.98
8	Shipping and Handling	$150.00
9	Round Bamboo Small Coffee Table, Low Japanese Style	$99.99
10	Meditation Cushion	$24.13
	Total:	$1,000.00

Please share this page to help in fulfilling this grant.

Confident Seats, Confident Minds: A Flexible Future for Fourth Grade

Investor

Impact to My Classroom

Original Grant Overview

Goal

Category

What will be done with my students

Benefits to my students

Budget Narrative

Items

Share

Email to a Friend

Special Thanks to Our Presenting Partners