Flexible Seating

Without fail, every year that I have been teaching, I decide to try something new in April/May. It's always been something I've been looking into all year and am ready to bite the bullet and just try. I think it's because I am confident my current class can handle it, I've done all the research I can, and I want to test it out before a new school year.

This year: flexible seating. It's all the rage in education right now. The idea is no longer do you assign a kid to a desk or a table with other kids (which they will moan about and beg you to change). You also offer many styles of seating for the students to choose from.

Key words: INDEPENDENCE  and CHOICE

You, as an adult go to Starbucks and pick between the comfy chairs, the small table, the large communal table, or even the high bar where you can stand or sit on a stool. So, why can't a child make a choice for where they want to work? Where they will work best? Won't they do better work if they are in control and comfortable?

I've always been flexible when it comes to work times. They knew they could use the rug, but when they had an assigned chair it was "their spot" and they often stuck to it. So mid-April I threw out the name tags, we had a class meeting and I told them the new plan. They were THRILLED and instantly showed me how well they can handle it. I bought some new options and got rid of some chairs. There are now a variety of seating options that suit all types of learners.

A little peak at our options:

I got these awesome scoop chairs at Kmart. Kids love using them now with clipboards. They fit a third grader perfectly (truth be told, I fit in them too - but not my taste - see choice!). I have tons of pillows and my old couch cushions too. Some kids work best when cozy and comfortable!

I also got a few sensory cushions, kids love sitting on them on the rug or on a chair. I set the expectations of no sharp objects and no feet on them and they are respecting them!

The big purchase for this overhaul was my hokki stools. The best wobble stool on the market, even though it's pricey, it's worth it! They naturally wobble as the kids move on them and they provide the movement some kids need to focus. One kid, who can be very hyperactive is so zen when using them! I can't wait to get 2 more for next year. I personally LOVE these for myself, too! (for my 3rd graders I ordered the 15" stools, which are perfect) 

The last big element was making 4 milk crate stools. I had seen this on pinterest and knew flexible seating called for these! It's plywood cut to fit (take the crates to Home Depot and they cut them to fit!), 3 inch high density foam, and then fabric wrapped around and staple gunned on. Super easy to make and a huge hit!

Overall, it's been an amazing rollout of this stucture. The kids get right to work; they choose a smart spot in the room and are happy and working. Sure there can be chatting since they choose who they work near, but we talked about "smart choices" and they know a teacher can move them if they aren't making a smart choice.

My basic ground rules are: get to work quickly, do your 3rd grade best quality work, be flexible and fair, and respect the seating options.

I found, it worked best to give everyone a chance to try something, that way there was less arguing and rushing for something. Also, once they had all tried it, they knew if it worked for them and the novelty wore off. There is very little bickering, very little miss use of seats, and 100% buy in from them!

Too often, in education, teachers don't give kiddos enough trust or enough choice. I feel like I have empowered my kiddos to make choices and be independent learners. A skill that will for sure be with them forever.

I plan on honing it more over the summer, the main goal - fewer chairs and more options!

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