National Middle Level Science Teachers Association (NMLSTA) recently awarded Rebecca Holder, seventh-grade science teacher at Thomas County Middle School with a $200 classroom grant.  Holder applied for the grant in August of this school year to purchase lounge cushions and lap desks for reading and working for students on her team. With the addition of these lounge cushions and lap desks, students will be able to work in small groups and pairs in various places, without having to sit in traditional desks.

In addition to the NMLSTA grant, Holder along with fellow teacher, Felicia Love, also applied for a grant from the Community Foundation of South Georgia in December to be able to purchase additional alternative seating.   From this grant, the team was awarded an additional $475. Because of these additional funds, the team was able to put additional seating options in all four of the classrooms on the seventh-grade team.

Love stated that, “Sierra teachers are excited to use the grant funds to help engage students in reading strategies such as PALS, and other collaborative strategies that are used across the curriculum.”  Holder added that “each class has a set of three lounge cushions and four lap desks that will allow students to feel more comfortable while working together. My hope is that by creating this relaxed and positive environment that students will be more excited about learning.”