Innovative Teaching Changes the Standards in Classroom Furniture and Worthington Direct Delivers the Products to Match

Every 20 minutes, a timer goes off in Bobbi Matheny's English class. Her students, all nine of them, move from computer to group, group to computer and reading time like a well-orchestrated symphony. Desks, computer stations, and group worktables are utilized on this merry-go-round of activities in a program indicative of the direction of educational curriculum.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) April 18, 2007

The program Matheny and other educators at the middle and high school level are using to help students improve their reading skills is called Read 180. "An integral part of the program is to give each student individualized instruction as well as help them work on their comprehension, vocabulary and spelling skills", she said. "What is so unique about the computer work is that if they don't pronounce a word correctly, then the computer tells them they have to go back and try again." Students working on the computer wear a headset that allows them to listen to the computer and respond. Comfortable seating and appropriate computer stations are essential in creating an environment that allows the student to focus on their work.

Students seem to like the variety in their day, and each station allows them to customize the lesson suiting their individual preferences. "They're not sitting in one place for 90 minutes," Matheny said. "Attention spans are about 20 minutes, so every 20 minutes they're moving to a different activity. We have a more relaxed atmosphere because I actually sit down with them at a table." This type of hands-on teaching requires seating arrangements that allow for open discussion and interaction. The rectangular desk with attached seats of past are being recycled into lightweight tables and chairs that allow a change in arrangement with each change in the lesson plan.

Small group work and a more cooperative seating arrangement opens the doors for students to feel more personal attention from their teachers and support from their peers. Matheny said her students are more inclined to talk about the areas of improvement when it's just in front of one or two other students.

Sometimes, when teachers utilize new methods of teaching style, it is difficult to find the school furniture and classroom accessories conducive to the new, innovative style. To help educators provide this innovative teaching style, Worthington Direct offers a variety of school furniture such as the Bretford Synergy Desk

http://www.worthingtondirect.com/appCatalogPartsViewList.cfm?BlockID=9482

or the Quattro Computer Table.

http://www.worthingtondirect.com/appCatalogPartsViewList.cfm?BlockID=9481

Both pieces are designed cooperative seating and interaction with peers and teachers.

After spending over 30 years in the school supply, church and equipment industry, Worthington Direct (http://www.worthingtondirect.com) knows what is important - selection, service, price and timing. Our goal is to make your purchasing job easier. With competitive pricing, knowledgeable sales associates, and "In Stock" products for quick, efficient shipping...Worthington Direct is committed to be your furniture resource. Schools and churches look to Worthington Direct for competitive pricing for school furniture, church furniture, preschool furniture, early childhood furniture, library furniture, desks, wholesale furniture, computer furniture, classroom furniture, chalkboards, office furniture, room dividers, storage cabinets, easels, display cases, cafeteria tables, activity tables, classroom desks, computer tables, desk chairs, lecterns, literature racks, office desks and risers among its large stock.

For more information contact Wren Ovard at 800-599-6636 or via email: wren @ worthingtondirect.com.

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