Fremont students stretch their legs and minds

Fremont Intermediate School teacher Hope Lipsky asks a group of students to identify the problem with the following sentence: "They are behind all the apple tree."

Danny Grishaber stands behind a wooden podium thinking, while classmate Jonathan Hurtado answers the question from his desk.

"The word 'tree' needs an 's' at the end of it," Hurtado said.

And so the literacy class continues. For most of the 90 minutes the students are in Lipsky's class, Danny stands behind the podium. He answers questions she poses and works on assignments while the rest of the students remain at their desks.

Danny's not in trouble, nor is he being rewarded with a special place in class. He's taking part in a relatively new program designed to improve the focus of students while in the classroom.

Fremont District 79's special services department purchased six wooden podiums for the intermediate and middle schools to provide students with an alternative to the traditional classroom desk and chair. The $2,250 cost was covered by a grant from the Brennan Ammentorp Angel Foundation.

Students stand behind the podium and use it as a desk. Because some students can better concentrate if they are able to move and stretch a bit, the podiums help them learn more effectively, without disrupting other students.

"The podiums get the wiggles out of kids so they can concentrate on what we are learning in class," Lipsky said.

"It helps students concentrate and focus so they are more engaged in the teacher's lesson."

Jamee Heelan, a district occupational therapist, recommended the podiums, which allow students to use their larger muscle groups. That helps them stay more alert and reach their highest level academically during a teacher's lecture, she said.

"These podiums are an alternative to the regular educational style desk to be utilized to meet a variety of needs to build academic success," Heelan said.

While the podiums for the intermediate school are being used for supportive educational services, the middle school will use the podiums in regular education classrooms.

Although the podium-style desks are too tall for the elementary-age population, a similar approach is taking root with the younger children, Heelan said.

At Fremont Elementary School, second-grade teacher Kathy Johnston uses a cart on wheels as a modified standing podium. It has a higher surface than the average table in the classroom and allows several students to simultaneously use it as a work station.

"This is a great example of teachers and staff members at Fremont working to meet the needs of all students by providing an optional learning environment that some students may need in the classroom," said Maureen Tedor, district director of special services.

She added, "It appears the students are enjoying this accommodation to enhance their learning."

Danny agreed that the podiums help him pay attention.

"I like to stand behind it because I have so much energy that I have a hard time sitting still."

Fremont District 79 is a kindergarten through eighth-grade district serving 2,147 students living in Mundelein, Wauconda, Hawthorn Woods, Grayslake, Ivanhoe, Round Lake, Round Lake Park, Long Grove and Libertyville.