3 Tips for Flexible Seating Success
There’s been a lot of buzz over the years about flexible
seating in the classroom. Does flexible seating work? Is flexible seating
successful? Is it expensive? The list of discussion points goes on and on. I’m
going to share my experiences and tips with you throughout my three years of using
flexible seating in my room.
Tip 1: Don’t Buy All the Things
Are you ready to set up a flexible seating classroom? I’m
going to let you in on a little secret, there’s no cookie cutter, one size fits
all way you must set it up. Do you want to use yoga balls and not kicky bands?
Go for it! Do you want to buy and use all the things you see on Pinterest? Go
for it! You may have to take out a small loan, but whatever you want to do. My
point being, I have done flex seating for three years now, and every year I do
it differently. One year I had only yoga balls and traditional chairs. One year
I had floor tables, cushions, lap desks, balls, scoop rockers, kicky bands,
yoga mats, wiggle cushions, crate seats, and more. This year I will be having a
variation of pillows, wiggle cushions, and kicky bands/ bouncy bands. Do not
let yourself get Pinterest pressured into buying classroom seating options you
really can’t afford just because everyone else is doing it. When it’s all
boiled down, flexible seating is simply about student choice. This can be
accomplished through pillows from your house, lowering a table, and a painted
bench from your parent’s basement (trust me this was my first attempt at it). Expensive
or cheap, all forms of seating options are a great addition!
Tip 2: Expectations Above All Else
Now that you have decided on what materials you want to
include, let me share the key and golden ticket to this whole shabang, TEACH
EXPECTATIONS EXPLICITLY! You will pull your hair out when you thought you went
over the rules really well, and then yoga balls start rolling all around the
room. Active model all the wrong ways to sit in each different spot. Then, have
a student show the right way to do it (they love showing me up when I “do it
wrong”). Finally, point to the expectations for each spot, which you have
posted on the wall. Honestly, that part is the slam dunk to success.
(Love these posters? You can get them HERE)
Have your expectations clearly posted and visible all year
long. This way there is no arguing, they know the expectations, and so does any
visitor in your room (substitutes everywhere are cheering right now). I have my
expectations anchor chart and individual spot posters up all year.
If a student misuses a learning spot once, I have them walk
over to the poster and read it for a rule refresher. If the behavior continues,
they are moved, no if ans or buts about it. What!
You must have kids freaking out all the time! Nope, my rules are clear and
my kiddos are well aware of rule #5, “Miss Doyer can change my spot at anytime
for any reason”. They will pick up their mobile name tag and find an open
available place and sit down.
(Grab these mobile name tags HERE).
These options are a tool to help your students focus and
increase their engagement, NOT distract others. Make that crystal clear to your
kiddos and their parents.
At the start of each school year I send home a flexible
seating contract and letter to the parents. Communication is key. Parents do
not dwell in the education Instagram world like we do. They probably have no
idea what this new seating thing is. Let the parents know what you expect and
the cool options you have for their child this year! When parents understand
what this thing is all about, they will be more than willing to support it and
may even donate some items to you room! Want a FREE parent letter and student
contract? Click HERE!
Tip 3: You Do You
As I said before, each year I have implemented flexible
seating, whether in 3rd or 4th grade, I always do it
differently. In past years I have allowed students to have compete voice and
choice seating power. They decide in the morning where they want to sit. Didn’t that lead to conflict and upset
students? Won’t they just sit with their friends and talk? Nope, however, I
spent a lot of time coaching my students through a “best spot” choice.
This means a spot where THEY can focus and do THEIR best work. If they know
they like to talk to Jimmy, then they shouldn’t tempt themselves and sit next
to Jimmy. This can be challenging for some talkative classes though and time
consuming for you. Another option is to assign students to a specific table and
allow the flexibility to come from the spot they choose within the table (this
works great when some kids really need to be separated). I have table seating
options stored in the front of the room and allow the students to pick what
they want to add to their learning spot (a bouncy band, a wiggle spot, a
cushion etc…) To be honest, this is my favorite model. I have found that my
students are excited to have a choice, but it still allows me to have easy
overall control. Claps all around!
So, to sum it all up, be clear with students and parents,
don’t go in debt for the fad, and implement a system that fits your teaching
style. Good luck and happy school year!
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