Let the students develop some ownership of their classroom space; allow time to adjust and thrive between changes in classroom arrangement. (Foods of the New World and Old World), 50 "Needs Improvement" Report Card Comments, 50 Needs Improvement Report Card Comments. copyright 2003-2022 Study.com. While some teachers express concern over the distraction that such a diverse array of seating choices -- includingscoop chairs -- might cause, Raney notes: I have found that letting the students sit where it is comfortable for them keeps their attention more focused on me and teaches them to have control over their learning environment. In the example above, they are used as computer chair seats. Only after you watch a lot of classrooms and note the differences between effective and ineffective teachers does the importance of this strolling become clear. In the example above, students use tablets on the floor. Idea 11 (Image credit@miss.goodytwoshoes on Instagram). Only when you watch previously well-behaved students in the classroom of a teacher who does not exploit proximity, do you come to appreciate the importance of working the crowd. Many students make associations between where they were when they learned something and where they are when they must recall it. When considering if a student should be placed at the front of the classroom, you might consider if this student is one who is more prone to auditory distractions. Arrange your classroom in a way that accurately portrays your educational philosophy and ensures that your students can move around and interact the way you'd like. Reading Rockets is a national multimedia project that offers a wealth of research-based reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. While they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, scoop chairs are usually lightweight (making them easy to drag around or relocate) and offer good back support, serving as excellent options for inducing focused, individual activity. This page talks about how you deal with the aspect of classroom SPACE, in other words, how you choose to use the space allocated for your teaching area. To succeed in adopting flexible seating,sometimesyou have to be just as flexible as the furniture. That choice -- as differentiated instruction research has shown -- can have a deep impact on how your students learn. But the fact that many flexible classroom teachers go through the trouble of getting them suggests that they can be worth the effort. Many teachers enjoy using them as options in a flexible seating classroom because they are conducive to both individual, quiet study as well as more collaborative, discussion-based group work. You have to create the circumstances where they show themselves. Themed Booklists First, get your desk away from its traditional location in the front of the classroom. Every student learns (and typically, sits) differently, but teachers often find that a simple cushion or mat is a popular choice among students in flexible seating classrooms. Prodigy is a curriculum-aligned math game used by more than 30 million students around the world! Students in the red zone cool it. Where Did Foods Originate? COPYRIGHT 1996 - 2022 BY EDUCATION WORLD, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. As with bean bag chairs, exercise balls can simply double as alternate seating in a huge array of contexts. You also might wish to have students work together in small groups as in cooperative learning or committee work. Illustrations by Brian Jones, Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and receive. In the hands of some students, these supplies can become distractions from the schoolwork itself. Where should your desk go? 
Idea 12(Image credit@lindseynagorski on Instagram). Beyond the yellow zone lies the green zone -- green as in go! It builds trust and mutual respect. Materials students use should be visibly stored and accessible, There should be no dead space which promotes random or illegitimate activity, Arrange the room so that the teacher can monitor quickly and easily (no blind spots), Use vertical space for display and learning enrichments, Keep active areas distinctly separate from quiet spaces, Keep two active areas distinctly separate to avoid distraction and interference, Have clear and safe traffic paths no matter how your room is arranged. Idea 19 (Image credit:@missmoeteaches on Instagram). As you can see, the room arrangement to the right looks very different from that on the left. If you don't have what you want can you request it or bring it in yourself? After all, there's no college course on how to arrange your classroom. Red means stop. 
Teacher's desk and computer desk? However, when you start working the crowd, you will find your interior loop soon enough. The objective of room arrangement is to create walkways. You'll also need to take into account the distracting factors in the physical space of the classroom itself. In terms of minimizing distractions, studies have found that arranging tables into rows is the most effective seating arrangement when it comes to keeping students on task. 
But it could be better to keep these types of visual aids out of the instruction area, for example on the back wall of the classroom.
Seating charts are typically selected based on how much you want your students to interact. The most important feature of room arrangement is not where the furniture goes, but, rather, where the furniture does not go. It's also important to consider that classroom decorations such as posters or other eye-catching items can be distracting to some students. Create or log in to your teacher account on Prodigy-- agame-based learning platform that assesses student progress and performance as they play. It goes without saying that students who are engaged in learning are less likely to be distracted, so fun and interesting classes can play a role in stopping distraction before it starts! Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in helping struggling readers build fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Students with their backs to the teacher will naturally be less engaged in the instruction, and more easily distracted. Add it to the list of things you'll learn with experience. If your school is unable to help finance your new classroom arrangement, you can ask for donations or view discount options at second hand stores. Here's How to Engage Them, What to Do When Students Dominate Classroom Discussions, Tricks for Dealing with Difficult Children in the Classroom, Tips for When Parents Don't Understand Boundaries. When you are working the crowd, two or three steps will switch a student from the green zone to the yellow zone or from the yellow zone to the red zone.
Idea five(Image credit@hello3rdgrade on Instagram). As Lewis-Young observes: It's very powerful when kids feel like they have choice and a voice. Idea 20 (Image credit: @kathryn_elizabeth_on Instagram). Are there safety or fire codes you need to know?
Idea four: (Image credit@jillian_trimm on Twitter). The reasons why some kids struggle with reading, Target the Problem! Help Your Child Who's Struggling with Math, makes use of bean bag chairs in her classroom, collaborative, discussion-based group work, connections between seating, students, and academics, studies show that prolonged periods of sitting can be terrible for our health, greater collaboration, communication, and interaction, A 2009 study in the British Medical Journal, Moving from a conventional classroomarrangement where furniture has already been provided, Fellow teachers may be reluctantto adopt a similar change and, Your district may not be able to support you financiallywith regard to the purchase of new equipment, and the personal. In the example below, they are so popular in one class they have completely replaced the standard seating varieties seen in most classrooms! In part, how you arrange your room depends on what furniture you have at your disposal. A simple change compared with most flexible seating trends, stools(typically coupled with high-top tables) are a great option in a redesigned classroom. Idea ten(credit@teachlikeyoumeaniton Instagram). Wobble chairs encourage active sitting and provide light exercise for the legs, back, and core. They use proximity as an instrument of management. In a 1987 article, Jon Saphier and Robert Gower provide these basic space guidelines: The overall message about classroom arrangement seems to be that it should be deliberate and well-thought-out. One of the most important decisions you can make when it comes to minimizing distractions is how to set up your students' tables or desks. Idea nineImage credit: @creatingteachinginspiring on Instagram. Subject matter makes a difference, too. A low table sits at a diminished height relative to conventional chairs. They simply make mobility easy. Even a change to seating equipment as simple as wobble chairs can help you make that a reality. They know that either you work the crowd, or the crowd works you. Idea 15(Image credit@standupourkids on Instagram). What parents, teachers and child care providers need to know. How your classroom is arranged can have a big effect on your ability to effectively manage your class. 125 Report Card Comments 
However, you might also consider that there are two primary ways that students become distracted: through auditory means and through visual means. In this case, seating the student closer to the back could actually help keep them less distracted. Proximity and Supervision Of course, neither you nor the students monitor this at a conscious level. It has been shown that students in these seats will receive more teacher attention, which can result in more monitoring and encouragement. Thanks, Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 15, 2010 - 8:56pm.
Idea three(Image credit: @topdogteaching on Instagram). Next, bring the students forward so you can write on the board and then turn to talk comfortably to the front row. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Another study titled ''Exploration of Classroom Seating Arrangement and Student Behavior in a Second Grade Classroom'' found that while groups may help students develop socially, they can impede student performance. Here are 125 positive report card comments for you to use and adapt! Watch one-on-one reading support in action with K-3 students, FAQs
Other teachers place it in the back of the room. Yellow signals caution. Tools for Teaching Effective Classroom Arrangement, The King of Classroom Management! Easily distracted students might not be ideal candidates for these seats. Kim Raney, a kindergarten at Wedgeworth Elementary School, uses such chairs as part of her classrooms flexible seating arrangement. Writing samples from real kids pre-K3, Why Some Kids Struggle But you can always choose how you arrange it. In the example below, students read books. Kristine Fourman, a teacher in the Bucyrus Elementary Preschool Program, is passionate about the connections between seating, students, and academics. For example, primary teachers might have all the proximity they need sitting on the carpet reading to students at their feet. Find the best apps for building literacy skills. An Education World e-Interview with Classroom Management Expert Fred Jones. Bookshelves? Carefully analyze space, distance, and movement. Idea 17(Image credit@kimberlymorrison_tpt on Instagram). Natural teachers instinctively work the crowd. Use Study.com to homeschool, to prepare for a test, to earn transferable college credit, to research schools and degrees and to help you achieve your professional aspirations. You probably dont associate a couch with academic performance or mental focus, but it is a viable -- if slightly less common -- option for flexible classroom seating. This promotes a student-centered atmosphere. It also allows space to work while keeping an eye on students. Where will you put YOUR desk? What activity centers are important to you? Struggling Students? This article discusses some ideas you should keep in mind as you set up your classroom. The biggest impediment to working the crowd is typically the arrangement of the furniture. For instance, rules that encourage students to listen when the teacher is talking, to avoid distracting others, to use their indoor voices, etc can help prevent distractions. Fix anything that becomes distracting or inaccessible from a student's chair. COPYRIGHT 1996-2016 BY EDUCATION WORLD, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. We will call this pattern of movement an interior loop. As the celebrated educational theorist and veteran teacherSirKen Robinson observes. Tips from Fred Jones's Tools for Teaching. Most teachers just shove it into the corner so they can conveniently lay things on it. Copyright 2022 WETA Public Broadcasting, Visit WETA's other education websites: Start with a Book|Colorn Colorado|AdLit|LD OnLine, Classroom StrategiesResearch-based teaching strategies, Reading Basics Meet your favorite authors and illustrators in our video interviews. Dozens of carefully selected booklists, for kids 0-12 years old, Nonfiction for Kids Sit in student desks after arranging your class to get a student's-eye view of the room. Elementary teachers have different activity centers and types of tables or student desks than secondary teachers. It's about rethinkingthe classroom environment and providing optionsto students in a way that opens up their possibilities for learning. If you are working with a limited budget, a couch will probably not be your first option. While it may seem disorderly at a glance, working on the floor is an ideal solution for students who have difficulty sitting still forprolonged periodsof time. This one takes experience to decide, and you may even change your mind from year to year.
It shows that redesigning your classroom with seating like bean bag chairs is actually part of a bigger idea: giving students thechoiceto sit where -- and how -- they want. They may be seated at large tables, or they may have shoved their desks together. In addition to all these strategies for setting up the classroom, it's also important to remember that distraction can be prevented through the nature of the class itself. In the yellow zone, students cool it as long as you are facing in their direction, but, when your back is turned, the light turns green. Once you've decided on an arrangement for your classroom, what are some strategies to organize the students themselves? So letting students sit by their friends might not be the best idea. There may also be a rule regarding how many square feet per child, etc. Delzer, like many teachers who now embrace flexible seating, is keen to note how changing the physical space of a classroom directly maps to an impact on student behavior and learning outcomes. Contact us by phone at (877)266-4919, or by mail at 100ViewStreet#202, MountainView, CA94041. Flexible seating isn'tabout completely tearing up the way you physically arrange your classroom. The U.S. Department of Education specifically recommends some strategies for students with ADHD, including seating the child near the teacher, seating the child near a student role model, and providing low-distraction work areas that are quiet and distraction-free. The same can be said about the philosophy behind flexible seating. Idea 21: A Prodigy classroom. Since their benefits are numerous and their impact on performance can be unmistakable, theres no sense in conceiving of standing desks as useful only to adults or in the context of professional work. It can be hard for children to sit still, which -- as every teacher knows -- can make it difficult for students to stay on task. Finally, stools with high tables are also useful because they give students the ability to switch between sitting and standing within the same working or studying session. The bean bag chair is a popular choice in flexible seating arrangements because it accommodates this variety.
When we're doing poetry, we turn the desks toward the window and become inspired by nature; when we're doing small group work we move the desks into "flowers" of 4-5 students; for full class instruction, we put desks in "chevron" shape. Idea 13(Image credit@levanhook on Instagram). As with many flexible seating options, some students may take time to adjust to standing desks. Idea 16(image credit@thesuperheroteacher on Instagram). Will you have space to display student work? An interior loop with large tables arranged in a semicircle. Find some inspiration inthiscollection of21 of our favorite flexible seating ideas. Bean bag chairs are also effective because theyre appropriate for group activities as well as for activities that require quiet, solitary work. Be sure to note that, depending on the age group, you will likely have to make some rules surrounding the use of exercise balls (for example,bottoms stay touching the exercise ball, only tiny bounces allowed, and/or two feet on the floor at all times). Research on this subject seems to be limited, although it would seem to be an area of interest to new teachers and teachers interested in maximizing their effectiveness. Idea one(Image credit@teaching6 on Instagram). Preferred Activity Time (PAT) Is Preferred by Kids and Teachers! Human resources are like natural resources; they're often buried deep. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Arrange the furniture to make working the crowd as easy as possible. Imagine yourself working the crowd during guided practice as you supervise students' work. The objective of room arrangement is proximity. ), and an "information station.". A study titled ''Eye Contact and Grade Distribution'' indicates that students in these front and middle seats are likely to achieve better grades because of these factors. What message does this send? Blocking doors and windows are usually against codes. Your classroom should give off a friendly, welcoming ambiance where students feel they belong. Are there obstacles that might make working the crowd difficult? Can Reading Instruction Improve Math Learning in the Primary Grades? Instead, random seating assignments, or a seating assignment that plays to the specific characteristics of that particular classroom, might be more effective. Flexible seating encourages children to sit where they wish based on their needs, and -- as you will likely find -- children are often satisfied to work (and work productively) on the floor. As in the example below, they can also be used effectively for individual tasks requiring focus, like reading. Students can use a low table to kneel, sit cross-legged, or even sit on top of -- for example, during reading activities.
No thanks, I don't need to stay current on what works in education! But once they become accustomed to the new experience of working while standing, theyre likely to prefer a standing desk to a conventional one! But, in light of these considerations, the process of adopting a flexible classroom can be facilitated with the following suggestions. You want to be able to get from any student to any other student with the fewest steps possible. Idea two(Image credit@1stgradeiswienerful on Instagram. Some teachers bring in a personal refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee service, a snack box, and more. And, finally, you are always going to have students who simply want to sit at a regular,conventional desk on some days or for certain activities or assessments. While a couch is not always suitable for individual activities, it can anchor a specific section of your classroom. Don't be afraid to experiment or use graph paper to "play" with different classroom arrangements. There are various potential seating organizations you can choose from in your classroom, including rows, groups (or pods), a horseshoe, a circle, or a mix of these. Elementary level may have many; secondary classrooms may have a reference area, a "student organization" area (stapler, etc. When you watch natural teachers, you typically see students working while the teacher strolls among them in a most unremarkable fashion. Our physical setting sends messages about authority, about ownership, and dictates interaction. Imagine walking among your students. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. The Students' Desks Aligned with curricula across the English-speaking world, its used by more than800,000 teachersand30 million students. Groups can cause students to become distracted and to be distracting to others. Check out our Needs Improvement Report Card Commentsfor even more comments!
One study titled ''Differential Effects of Seating Arrangements on Disruptive Behavior of Fifth Grade Students During Independent Seatwork'' indicated that the occurrence of classroom disruptions happened 2-3 times more frequently when students were allowed to pick their own seats.
Stools allow students to adopt different -- and, frequently, healthier -- postures than conventional seating arrangements. Of course, this is not to say that classroom decorations are bad! Idea 18(image credit@bravelearns on Instagram). In closing, remember that both room arrangement and mobility are only means to an end. You may even require customized adjustments to a normal table. You may or may not have a choice. Picture three zones of proximity surrounding your body in concentric circles. Wobble chairs(or wobble stools) are perfect those students that just can't sit still. Arranging students in a horseshoe or circle will facilitate an environment where group work is the primary focus of the classroom. If you already have proximity without moving, you needn't go any further. Idea eightImage credit:@mrs._bowden on Instagram. top education news, lesson ideas, teaching tips and more! Book Finder But even if youre ready to bring flexible seating into your classroom, visualizing the change can be daunting. You remember. She even argues that the physical arrangement of a classroom cansignify a broader shift towards a new approach to teaching overall, remarking: Redesigning a classroom or implementing unassigned flexible seating is a shift in both structure and teaching philosophy -- an entire mindset shift. Tips on finding great books, reading nonfiction and more. Do you even want a teacher's desk in the room? Both of these scenarios demonstrate that you don't need expensive equipment to transition your classroom into one that supports flexible seating. Reflect on what you are trying to accomplish and make your space work for you rather than against you. These two students are pupils of Kayla Delzer, a 2nd Grade teacher and author whose passionate advocacy of flexible seating and classroom redesign has earned her the title of one of the top 100 innovative teachers worldwide. Watch or listen to our classroom video, author interviews and more. And theyre catching on for a reason: numerous studies show that prolonged periods of sitting can be terrible for our health. For any reprint requests, please contact the author or publisher listed. As in the example above, wobble chairs can be used in group settings or arrangements of joined desks. Equipped with or without a cushion, low tables represent yet another option for kids who don't sit well at desks all day long.
Do not jump to the conclusion that they are "correct." , 100 Childrens Authors and Illustrators Everyone Should Know, A New Model for Teaching High-Frequency Words, 7 Great Ways to Encourage Your Child's Writing, All Kinds of Readers: A Guide to Creating Inclusive Literacy Celebrations for Kids with Learning and Attention Issues, Screening, Diagnosing, and Progress Monitoring for Fluency: The Details, Phonemic Activities for the Preschool or Elementary Classroom. Idea sevenImage credit:@SummerfordStars on Twitter. The same is true for areas of the classroom that get more traffic than others, such as seats near the teacher's desk, the cubbies, or even the pencil sharpener. Ask yourself why you're rearranging your space: are you just doing it for the sake of it?
Many students respond well to using exercise balls (also known as stability balls, yoga balls, or balance balls) because they offer a range of motion while allowing a student to stay seated. This article is condensed from Dr. Jones' award winning book Tools for Teaching. While standing desks are better known for their increasing popularity in offices and workplaces, their presence is also growing in schools around the world. Additionally, increasing order and organization in the classroom can help students maintain focus and limit distractions. Once the importance of mobility and proximity become clear, the next logical step is to make working the crowd as easy as possible. This can make low tables difficult to find. Of course not. Tools that can be utilized in the classroom include pointers for personal use, which help the student focus on reading, and egg timers, which help students monitor their own productivity during short assignments. K-3 professional development course, Looking at Writing Shivonne Lewis-Young, a Grade 3 and 4 teacher with a large number of high-needs students, makes use of bean bag chairs in her classroom. Study.com is a flexible, comprehensive online learning platform used by people of all ages to take fun, engaging courses and improve their education. Doorways leading out to the hallway can be distracting, and so can the view from a window. Do you prefer group tables or student desks? Help inspire your students to love learning with Prodigy's online learning platform. Many new teachers must share space, some poor souls have nothing but a wandering cart and go from classroom to classroom. The primary benefits of flexible seating include its ability to: Every student is different, every class is different, and every teacher is different. All rights reserved. Why? The things to consider may include: Submitted by geraldineDUMADAG (not verified) on June 30, 2014 - 10:54pm, these suggestions are just what Id been looking for. There are many variables here. Classroom Management Resources for Teachers, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, ''Exploration of Classroom Seating Arrangement and Student Behavior in a Second Grade Classroom'', ''Differential Effects of Seating Arrangements on Disruptive Behavior of Fifth Grade Students During Independent Seatwork'', Turning Classroom Distractions Into Engagement Tools, 4 Tips For Building an Efficient Grading Process, Classroom Setup Ideas for Minimizing Distractions, Do You Have Students Who Never Seem Interested in Lessons?