Hi! It's Aimee from
Pencils, Books, and Dirty Looks. This year I began my 22nd year teaching! Crazy!! Even after 21 years of teaching, I am still looking for ways to improve my classroom environment. This summer I did lots of research on
flexible seating. I know that I want to be comfortable when I'm reading a good book, writing lesson plans, or working on a new product, so why wouldn't my students want to be comfortable when they're working in the classroom. We've been in school for 24 days now, and I can't believe the difference flexible seating has made! I wish I would have offered flexible seating options years ago. Students are happy doing their work or collaborating. Believe it or not, flexible seating has made a huge difference with the off task talking during work time. It's amazing!
In my classroom, my students still have a desk (many flexible seating classrooms do not have assigned seating). I wasn't ready to completely give up individual desks. I felt it was important that students have a "home base" during the day. This gave me the option of returning students to their seats, and also gave those students who like the comfort of a chair and hard surface the option. Besides their desks, students have many other areas where they can work. Here are some photographs from the flexible seating arrangements in my classroom...
My students love the trampoline chairs! If I had more room, I would have several more of them. I also have two free standing stability balls that can be moved to any area in the room.
This area is a favorite of the girls! They bring their work to the lowered table and relax on the cushions.
I also have a desk with two stability balls. This area is great for students who can't sit still for long periods of time.
My classroom library has many seating options. I've had the two chairs from IKEA for several years, but this year I added the wooden bench. I found the coffee table at Goodwill and spray painted it to match my room. Students like to sit on the floor and work here. I also have several pillows that students can take to any area in the room.
I love my row of milk crate seats! Students can sit or lie down while working.
t's been lots of fun coming up with new areas for students to sit. If you do flexible seating in your classroom, I would love to hear from you!! I'm always up for suggestions!
