At the beginning of my career,  I was a special education teacher and really embraced seating options then.  So when I got into the classroom, I continued to allow for more flexible seating, although I still had name tags, tables and chairs.  I have always allowed my students to move and work around the room as needed, standing at other tables or working on the floor, but they always had a table spot-UNTIL NOW! I follow a lot of blogs and teachers on social media and really enjoyed seeing flexible seating become more popular.  Angie from Lucky Little Learners and Kayla from Top Dog Teaching are two that I have loved following for flexible seating.  As I watched other teachers implement it, I started thinking about how I could fully implement it with the things I had.  Because of a Donor's Choose Project I had funded last fall, I already had 3 wobble stools and 3 wiggle cushions.  Before spring break, I used some money that we get from our fabulous PTO and went to Walmart and bought 4 scoop rockers, 4 pillows, 8 small bathmats, 4 yoga mats and a big tub.  

I had everything I needed to implement, now I just needed to pull the plug. 1. Wobble Stools from Amazon *15 inch Hokki Stool *Gaiam Kids Balance Balloffice chair for sale cork *Pl astic Stack Stoolsgame of thrones office chair back 2. Pillows from Walmartbest budget gaming chairs 3. Wiggle Cushions from Amazonfolding lawn chair with shade 5. Scoop Rocker from Amazonrocking chair for older babies I got mine from Walmart, but they aren't even online anymore, so I found these at Overstock.  vintage high chair rocker

After another teacher saw mine, she went searching for others around our area and found some at Aldi. The rockers are definitely an ABSOLUTE FAVORITE.  Because of this, we rotate through them.  bean bag chairs under 40 dollarsWhen it is a student's turn to have one they can choose to have it or not.  best massage chairs 2013 reviewsThey fit my little firsties well.  table and chair rental southern illinoisThey can rock or sit steady. 6. Yoga Mat on the Floor from Walmart Every morning when my students come into the classroom, they drop off their homework and then grab their book box.  This is where they keep most of their materials including: book bags, homework bag, writing folder, word work journal and daily work folder.  

They then make a choice on where they want to sit for the day.  As of now, my students have decided they want to have a base spot for the day.  They pick where they want to sit, grab everything they need and get started on their morning work.  If they are on the floor, on a yoga mat or rocker, they grab a supply case and clipboard.  In the there are pencils, pens, crayons, scissors, glue sticks and sticky notes.  If they choose to sit at one of the tables, there is a shared supply bin with everything they need.  I always have shared supplies since we use tables, so this was not a new concept for my students. Check out Part 2 of this post where I have answered your flexible seating questions.Cats scratch to sharpen and smooth their claws, mark their patch and to give themselves a good flex and stretch. The downside is that their natural instinct can easily ruin your sofa, wallpaper and carpets. Pet blogger Alex Frith of Barkarama shares 10 scratch-worthy buys for your cat. Scent generously with catnip for the maximum animal attraction.

1. Wall Mounted Cat Scratch Post: from £54.99, Purrfect Pieces Your cat will love climbing their way up and down this handmade, wall-mounted scratch post, which is available at either 1m or 2m tall. A great way to exercise and stimulate indoor cats, the 100 per cent natural sisal rope creates the same effect as tree bark to help your kitty ditch their dead claws. Motivate your cat to climb the pole by hiding treats in between the rope. Each post comes with metal braces to fix it to the wall. 2. Hello Kitty Scratchastic Cardboard Cat Scratcher: £8.99, PetsPyjamas Fans of Japan’s most famous feline will love this scratcher as much as their cat. Using corrugated cardboard to fashion Hello Kitty’s signature shape, this budget-friendly buy has a cut out for your cat to pounce through and have fun. It's a sweet style for your child to have in their bedroom when the family cat comes to play. 3. Scratch ‘n’ Play: £9.74, JML Direct This lightweight yet sturdy scratch pad is designed to smooth your kitty’s claws - and save your sofa.

It comes with a bag of catnip to sprinkle into the cardboard grooves, and a detachable feather wand toy to chase and attack. When they’re done, it doubles up as a place to lounge. 4. Kerbl Cat Opal Maxi Scratching Post: £16.71, Amazon Here is a simple, strong scratch post. At 78cm tall, it’s high enough to meet the demands of the energetic cat that loves to stretch out and scratch, and there’s the added attraction of a swing ball. The sisal rope-covered post arrives in two parts, which screw together easily, and its foot is lined with hardwearing carpet. 5. Lisa Angel Personalised Cat Laptop Scratch Pad: £24, Not On The High Street If you’re tired of your kitty climbing over your laptop, give them a computer of their own (kind of). This comes complete with a fishy screen saver, fluffy mouse and scratchy keyboard. You can also personalise the back of the screen with up to 14 characters. 6. My Kotty Mia Cardboard Cat House & Scratching Pad: £30, Styletails Store

The fun lies in the interior of this geometric cat house. Made from robust corrugated cardboard, this offers all the angles for your cat to rest, hide, snooze and scratch. The design is reversible  - so you can slot it together on either the natural or the white side to give it a refresh. Replacement pads cost £9.50. 7. The Chesterfield Chair: £32.50, 3 Fat Cats This fun Chesterfield-inspired scratcher/lounger is a chair you won't mind your cat digging its claws into. Like many of the scratchers featured, it's made from cardboard but the design has been given an upgrade with a black leather look surround and silver stud print. The design offers your cat both horizontal and vertical scratching to save your furniture and walls. Measures 70cm x 30cm. 8. Two-Tier Cat Scratch Corner Post: £48.99, Argos If the traditional cat-scratch tower offends you and your interiors, check out this relatively contemporary and compact solution. Complete with two rope scratching posts, there’s also a hideaway and upper platform bed, both of which are lined with cosy fleece material, and there's a dangly ball for your cat to play with.

Finished in grey herringbone fabric, it’s shaped to sit neatly in the corner to avoid cluttering up your living space. 9. Vesper Cat Furniture V-High Lounge Poplar: £128.65, Amazon This is a high-end, stylish item. Inviting your cat to scratch is a rope post and sisal mat - removable and replaceable with velcro strips. Once they’re satisfied, there’s a comfy oval cave, lined with a soft, white faux fur memory foam cushion. Made from poplar wood. 10. Dog Shaped Cat Scratching Post: £695, Not On The High Street Here’s one for the seriously pampered pussycat (and if money's no object). It’s shaped like a Labrador and allows your cat to take revenge on the enemy without the fight. To ensure a long lifespan, every inch of the sisal rope is glued to the base. We think it looks fantastic, too. Measures 88cm x 28cm x 71 cm. If your cat is unpredictable with what they will scratch and play with, the Scratch ‘n’ Play won't break the bank, plus it’s lightweight and compact so packs away easily for when you have visitors.