Our class home might look a little different from what you are used to because we utilize something called flexible seating! Just as I encourage my students to try new things and step out of their comfort zones, I am constantly on a journey to better myself as teacher. Eight years ago, this journey led me to a complete classroom redesign and it has been AMAZING!!! Having a student-centered classroom is at the heart of my teaching philosophy and student-choice is a huge part of that. In our class home, students have a variety of seating choices available to them during all parts of the day and with no assigned seats. This includes tables lowered for floor sitting, tables raised for standing, yoga balls, crate seats, donut seats, wobble stools, scoop rockers, benches, wiggle cushions, mats, floor pillows, lapboards, clipboards, traditional chairs with bouncy bands, and even bicycle pedals and a trampoline! My goal is to increase student motivation and engagement, and ultimately achievement, by providing students with a learning environment where they feel most comfortable, and where they can interact and collaborate with one another more effectively. This flexible layout leaves us with limitless options for where and how we learn! Our classroom is still highly structured and organized with strong routines and procedures (cool seating comes with extra responsibility and rules!), but includes a 21st century learning-style twists!).
If you are interested in learning more about the flexible seating trend and the research behind it, I encourage you to check out these articles:
Why the 21st Century Classroom May Remind You of Starbucks