How to Start Flexible Seating
When I decided to make the switch to flexible seating, I got so wrapped up in how I was going to design my classroom, that I didn't think through my behavior management strategies. After reading these tips, you’ll start your flexible seating classroom with ease.
Flexible Seating on the First Day
When students come in on the first day of school, I like to have an assigned seat for them to go to.
I think when students are able to find their name, they feel a sense of belonging, and that is something that is important for me to foster on the first day of school.
After the chaos dies down, I gather my little friends around, and we talk about some things that they notice about our classroom.
Since I teach in primary grades, I have to be very specific and remind them that we are focusing on classroom furniture.
We spend time observing what they notice, and I start to explain why our class looks a little different from some other classrooms.
Why We Have a Flexible Seating Classroom
1. Flexible seating helps us focus
2. Flexible seating helps prepare us for our future careers
3. Flexible seating teaches us responsibility
Second Day of School
On the second day of school, I use my flexible seating furniture spreadsheet to help me organize my students so that I can make sure that each person tries out all the seating options.
We review the reasons that we have a flexible classroom.
Next, I read the perfect back to school book, How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen.
As a class, we create an anchor chart of Dinosaur's responsible and irresponsible choices.
I help my students make the connection to their daily flexible seating choices.
I tell them that they are going to get the chance to make choices each day about where they sit.
I continue to explain to my students that we all have different learning styles.
Some people like to sit on the floor and some people prefer to have a table to work on. Everyone feels comfortable learning in different environments.
I explain that since we all prefer different things, it's important to make smart choices about where to sit.
We discuss that making the choice to sit too close to a friend is not good for learning because it interrupts the concentration of both people.
We talk about our classroom expectations and the consequences that will ensue if they are not showing responsibility. The consequence that we use in our class is losing the privilege of choice.
It’s essential that students know that being reflective, having responsibility and making choices in the classroom are skills that will be learned and developed over time.
Continuing Through the Week
Throughout the week, I model a different seating choice and explicitly explain how to use the seating equipment properly.
I like to explain how to use a flexible seating tool and then have students act out proper and improper ways of using each tool.
Getting students involved in the modeling helps make the expectations more clear.
We also discuss that having a flexible seating classroom is a way of making our classroom feel more like home.
We discuss that at home, you treat your furniture with pride and respect. and our classroom furniture should be treated the same.
Flexible Seating All Year
Through the rest of the year, we review our flexible seating expectations.
It is a constant learning process, and it will take you and your students some time to get into the routine.
Once your students have established responsibility, you will be surprised how engaged your students will be in their learning. They will be intrinsically motivated to learn, grow, and do their best.
Wrap Up
To make the first week of school a little easier, I have created scripted lesson plans that I use to roll out a new piece of furniture each day. I hope that this information helps you feel more organized and ready for the first week of school.
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