Evelyn Meyer
Smarter Seating: The Effects of Alternate Seating on Reading Comprehension for Elementary Students
London Christian Elementary School
Reading and focus in classrooms is one of the biggest issues, with only 66% of students reading at reading level (Ascend Learning, 2025). Alternate seating is a method that allows students to become more attentive in the classroom (Remer, R., 2017, p. 4), thus improving focus. The objective was to determine whether alternate seating would help students improve their reading comprehension and how it affects neurodivergent and neurotypical students differently. In this study, participants were given a reading passage and responded to reading comprehension questions. Participants were tested twice using a wobble stool and a regular chair. The results suggest that alternate seating may benefit neurodivergent students and improve reading comprehension, but for neurotypical students, they can perform the same with or without alternate seating. The results of this study may inspire educators to use inclusive classrooms and push for classrooms that meet the needs of all students.
Bronze Medal
Western University – $1000 Entrance Scholarship