Getting Started

     I did a lot or research and found a lot of benefits to stability balls. (If you would like to read the articles comment below and I will link them for you.) However, at the time I didn't see a whole lot of sites that were from teachers about how they did alternative seating or implemented the new seating in their classroom! I decided to go with stability balls, a carpet with bench, stools at a taller table, a lower table with cushions, standing desks, and one table of regular chairs. I was able to do this all for only $500!!! Below I have some pictures of my new classroom and then what I bought and the prices.

Stability balls from Amazon for $32.59 ( After much deliberation I went with 55cm and they work great for 4th graders) 
Carpet and cushions from Target- They went on clearance this summer and I was able to get the carpet for $10 and the cushions for $5 each!!!
Camping Chairs from Walmart for $6.99
Computer Stools from Ikea for $4.99
Standing desk from Ikea for $39 (They were actually wall mounted tables)
Table Stools from Menards for $15 ( I had to go to two stores to get all four and then I spray painted them yellow)
Pillow cases from Ikea for $4.99 ( I just stuffed them with stuffing from old pillows I already had at home!
Bench from Walmart for $37.99 ( I turned the bookcase on it's side. )

On a Mission

Stability ball

Ball Chair

 I knew I wanted to try alternative seating in my classroom but needed helping funding it. Luckily every year a company around my school gives grants to worthy causes. I searched online for the best choices! I had hokki stools, stability balls, ball chairs, standing desks , and camping chairs in my grant. I had been talking to my principal through this whole process so he was aware of the direction I was trying to take my classroom. I even talked to my students and showed them some of the things I was looking into and had them give me their opinion about the possible new seating. Needless to say they were very excited! Then I had to wait.......which was torturous. Finally, the letter came and I hurried to the office only to find out I hadn't received the grant. :( So I thought my dreams of having an alternative seating classroom were dead until my principal came to me and offered to help me make my dream a reality. He needed to order some tables for another classroom and figured I could just give that teacher my tables and then I could use the money to get alternative seating in my room. He told me if I could do it for $500 that it was mine. Well my original grant was for something like $2000 but I took on the challenge. I knew I had to change my vision but wasn't sure what I wanted. My suggestion would be to talk to your principal explain your idea to them. Sometimes they have money in their budget for things like this. Or they can get creative like mine did! 

Standing desk

Hokki Stool

Crazy Idea

        First off, I think it is important to say that I am a pretty laid back teacher however, I expect my students to behave and be respectful. Last year was my first year in 4th grade and I was teaching only Math and Science. We were always up and moving, sitting all around the classroom in centers and groups. I was lucky to be able to go to Wisconsin's Technology conference called SLATE. While I was there I saw amazing innovations in seating and went to a session about designing your classroom layout. It got me thinking about how to make my classroom more comfortable for my students and what that might look like. I had searched Pinterest and other blogs about alternative seating but knew I didn't have it in my own budget to make it happen. I had to find a way to fund my little project!