My first year of teaching was quite a whirlwind. I only had ✨11✨ students...yes...ELEVEN. I know, I know, that's nothing compared to some other classes. It allowed me lots of trial & error with such few students. I learned how much calmer they were when doing independent or group work when we had fresh air and/or they could work wherever they desired (which is the whole concept of flexible seating).
I always let my students have the options to stay at their seat, if they want. Some students thrive on a designated working spot (like their desk) and some need to kick their shoes off, lay on their floor, and get to work.
It's important to work with your students from the beginning on making good and smart choices when allowing them to be flexible in their learning. I found it helpful to give one or two warnings then move a student inside, or off of a flexible seat, if they're talking too much or not doing their work. Hold to that and make sure to stay consistent each time they use flexible seating options.
#1 Outside
I love to open my door and let them work outside. I made sure I had enough clipboards and that my students knew that this was a privilege. If they couldn't keep their voices down, they'd have to be inside and work near me. There's just something about being outside with fresh air, that helps ME focus, so why wouldn't our students love to be out too?
#2 Scoop Seats
The most popular flexible seating options in my classroom were scoop seats. Some students would lay these seats backwards and work with their clipboard in the air, but they were focused! Students would use these indoors and outdoors, but just not on grass as loads of dirt would pile on the bottom.
#3 Under the Desk
Something so simple, and so free? Count me in! There's just something about kids and wanting to be under their desk. I'm not sure what it is, but it works.
#4 Portable Lap Desk
This portable lap desk was the flexible seating of all flexible seating in our classroom. I kept these seats out of the normal line up because I wanted to have one option to give to students who deserved it and they would work so hard in order to have the opportunity to use it. I would mention to my students that they could use the "table chair" if they were doing their work or if they were quietly working. Whenever I would offer these seats up, they would be so quiet and work so hard in hopes I would call them to use the seat.
#5 Bouncy Ball
This is a flexible seating option we used to have in our classroom, but honestly, we had some children who were too wild with them. You have to have a desk short enough to use these with, hope kids won't bounce or roll off them, and they were so hard to store (because they're on the bigger side and can't be stacked).
If you're wanting to start using flexible seating options in your classroom (or even just send them outside to finish work), I hope this blog was helpful! It's so beneficial for students to learn how and where they want, within reason of course. ☀️
- Erin from Teaching to Firsties
