Is it Flexible
Seating or Alternative Seating? Whatever
you want to call it, it has transformed my teaching. I have to give thanks to the amazing
inspirational blog posts, videos, and other social media posts by AngieOlson, from LuckyLittle Learners, Mr.Greg, from KindergartenSmorgasboard, and KaylaDelzer, from Top DogTeaching. These posts motivated me
to take the leap into flexible seating right after spring break.
I decided I would
take a test drive before I started planning for the next school year. I was not sure how my students would handle
being able to make their own choices. I
prepared my students by talking about our “classroom experiment”. They were really motivated when I said the desks
would be disappearing. I wanted them to
know how the “experiment” would work and how lucky they were to be able to
participate. My class is the only class
fully implementing flexible seating in my school.
Preparation
I prepared my
students for about three weeks as we slowly started organizing the classroom
for a life without desks. We merged our
textbooks into cubbies.
We organized our
working folders into baskets.
We started
using community supplies and practiced keeping them organized. We had to develop new routines. This, in the long run, benefited us immensely
when the final transition happened. We
had our routines in place and could focus on CHOICE.
Shopping
As we were preparing
for the transition in school, I went SHOPPING on the weekend!!! (My favorite part)
I decided to post a project on Donors Choose
to fund a new carpet for my classroom. I
wanted a centerpiece for my classroom to create a new feel for my
students. I was so lucky that my project
was funded in a little more than three weeks.
(Thanks to many of lifelong friends from home in Virginia)
I bought four
stability balls for $5.97 each online from Wal-Mart. I was a little disappointed in them. Some of them were not completely round. I will probably replace them next year and
spend a little more money.
I made a trip to
one of my favorite places in the world, Ikea.
These awesome black stools work perfectly under my guided reading
table. 
These lap desks
were such an awesome idea, however students need to make sure their legs are
underneath to support the center of the desk.
I found these at Hobby Lobby.
I found my green
and orange bath mats at Target. They are
so soft and some of my student’s favorite spots to sit.
The Wednesday
after spring break was an early release day for our school. It took me about 4 hours to prep my room the
way I wanted. I even drew out a very
rough sketch the night before to make my work a little easier.
I used many of my desks to create long table
spaces protruding from the walls. I also
used these spaces for my writing and word work areas.
I created little
sitting nooks around the classroom using little chairs from Ikea, bean bags,
and beach chairs.
I was not sure if
my students would use a standing table.
I put one in the back of the classroom and added a little lamp. I have one student that works here every day. I might have to add another standing table
next year.
I lowered two
trapezoid tables to make a large hexagon.
I used Target bath mats around the table. This table is always full.
Organization
My biggest worry
was organization. How was I going to
organize and create new routines in the middle of the year without causing
total chaos? My students have BEE
Binders (Bring Everything Everyday), textbooks, notebooks, and work
folders.
I decided to have
students store their binders in their mailboxes. That made sure everything was taken home each
day. We placed the
textbooks in a cubby I was using for
centers. We placed all of
the notebooks in baskets at the front of the classroom along with work
folders. It is working
amazingly!
Work in Progress
Of course, this is
a work in progress. I have been making changes
almost every day since I have started.
The key to making this work in your classroom is one important
rule. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS. Your students have to buy into this rule or
having choice will never work. I have
two students that still have a hard time choosing a place that is best for
their learning and where they can do their best. I have two regular desks just in case I have
to put the NO WARNINGS card.
Amazing!
I am so glad I
started flexible seating at the end of this year. I know for sure I will start at the beginning
of next year. I have seen so many of my
students come to life. My students that
have attention and hyper activity problems are able to choose quiet wiggly
places to sit with lots of space. My
girls love to sit on the little carpets at the low tables or on the carpet with
lap desks. Also, my students that are creative
and artistic have loved sitting in cozy spots and not in desks where they
seemed to drift off and day dream. It
has been an amazing ride that I have jumped on, and I think it is one of the
best choices I have made as a teacher.
