Ive found this layout very easy for the teacher to access every students desk space quickly to provide tailored support. Flexible seating gurus say that this form of classroom un-seating better reflects the hyper-connected and every-changing world we live in. After being in elementary education for 14 years, and as founder of Create-Abilities, Cassie is passionate about helping fellow educators empower their teaching. It's somewhat traditional, but it's effective for discussions, debates, and mini lessons. https://helpfulprofessor.com/classroom-layouts/. That years group of kids (including their personalities, behaviors, and mannerisms), the amount of new material you need to store, how many kids you have, what other furniture is inside your room and more. Let your students shuffle so theyve been to every corner and did every assignment. Ive done a lot of experimenting with desk arrangements over the years. My go to set up is a double v, but it does take up a lot of space. Pair up students and let them work individual or together. I think I've tried most of the suggested seating arrangements in the last twenty years and sometimes changed it during the year depending on the students. That way you can use other configurations but still have an option for when you dont want them too close together. 7. Presentations. To create groups of four, have students turn around and work with the pair behind them. With our free online classroom design tool, you can create a classroom layout with a few clicks of your mouse. If you guessed back to school time, you are right! A modelled teaching or teacher-centered teaching style may not suit this layout. I have found that students can be intimidated about speaking up in this environment. Two students can sit at a single trapezoid table, if your classroom has tables instead of desks. By pushing the table against the wall, the middle of the room is left with more space. If you are looking to get away from the traditional tables in straight rows look, this might be the arrangement for you. and learning materials, with locking protection. I also have couches, bean bag chairs, and a pub table around the room as other options. I often find it hard to free up room for free floor space in this layout. It sounds like it would be crowded but it's not and I have lots of floor space for my composite 2/3 class. Take your class on an educational adventure over multiple lessons. Split your classroom into two large groups. Guide on Classroom Design and Layout. It's more fun with two but still gives you a nice overview. It helps the teachers to create a visual layout of the classroom and locate the desks or, tables in the classroom. 3. Again, this layout doesnt cater well for small group work, but students can still work in partners with the person beside them if required. Lets start with one of the most used bench seating arrangements: Pairs. Your email address will not be published. (7 x 7) Vertical Classroom Seating Chart (10x10) Graph Paper for Creating and Designing Your Own Seating Chart : Shaded Classroom Seating Chart (6 x 7 Pairs Let's start with one of the most used bench seating arrangements: Pairs. By facing two desks against the end of the group, this teacher still has large desk groups, without taking up as much room! It is hard to work in both small and large groups in this layout because students have their backs to one another. That's great to hear Augusta! The stadium method pivots all student desks so theyre directly facing the action zone in the front middle of the class. Team TPT. Students face the instructor with their backs to one another. Straight lines: This is the most common arrangement. Educational furniture companies have been stepping up their game and making desks/tables lightweight and sleek. This may be more teacher-directed than student-directed. This type of classroom setup is specifically designed to discourage social learning. The double-U variation of the horseshoe layout includes two rows in a horseshoe table layout. Also, can you cater to every students learning needs? Click the picture to find out more: Copyright This kind of seating arrangement is an absoluteclassroom change. So basically two long tables made from three tables each and one middle aisle. That way, you can speed up the classical work. Ask, for example, the first column to answer question A, the second column to answer question B and the last column to answer question C. Go over the answers when theyve finished. If you have a small group of students that need a lot of teacher assistance for one subject area you can get them to sit in a desk arrangement such as the small U shape and position yourself in the middle of the U. . This sounds wonderful! You can always begin with one seating chart on Day One, but very quickly you start to learn whether the current desk configuration will work with your students - or will need to be modified. Guess what time it is? I also liked this set up for flow and movability. The Classroom Key, When sharing materials from this site, please link back to the original post or provide a social media link to @theclassroomkey, Some photography provided by: Get Students Excited about Opinion Writing with these 4 Ideas. Create a "Langspo" Board. This is another tried and true arrangement. It involves placing desks in rows with pairs of desks facing each other. Im Angie Olson- a teacher, curriculum developer, educational blogger and owner of Lucky Little Learners. This will be almost impossible. This interesting student desk arrangement serves two purposes. By. However, this format also allows students to work with one peer to discuss their ideas and share resources. Whip up custom labels, decorations, and worksheets in an instant. Use the stickers I created to set up your own classroom layout for your teaching purpose. I've also discovered that it's smart to pick a few arrangements that you like and teach your students how to quickly move between the positions when the activity requires it. Love these! Managing student behavior. It had the benefits of easily managing small group work without students being squashed together and meant they had a bit more personal space. I will be having 33 kids this year. A less common, though no less effective, desk is one that is curved on all edges. Follow Hannah @ The Classroom Keys board Teaching Tips on Pinterest. Theoretical Connection: Teacher-Centered Classroom. Reading Corner . Let us know on Twitter what your favorite type of seating arrangement is! Modified Horseshoe. Learn more about our academic and editorial standards. The rows and columns classroom is a very traditional layout that was near universal up until the mid-20th Century. And, if is a small enough class, the table could even be flush against the wall to create even more space. I always have six groups; three groups in front and three groups behind. So, this article provides a description of each major classroom layout theory and an explanation of how each desk layout connects to learning theory. I loved being able to walk between each row and check on my students. You can let them work on an assignment. Theres no separate U in the front, which makes it more open to the students in the back. For additional students I put a fifth student on the end of a table. Get excited about going back to the classroom with these fresh and unique classroom theme ideas! Teachers have a blast decorating their rooms, creating bulletin board masterpieces and making their classroom a home away from home. Government officials have long wanted more focus on securityuseful languages like Chinese, and pressure from themas well as from business leaders, politicians, and parents . Try staggering desks This teacher staggered her desks to create more room for her first and second grade students. The classroom scene at McCormick is unusual, but it may soon be a common fixture() in American schools, where Chinese is rapidly becoming the hot new language. How would you choose those kids? Select a group of students that will debate in the middle of the eye. This variation is commonly used in large classes where students cannot fit in just one horseshoe shape. Bundles that you can download with one click. This site is designed to give you some new ideas and fresh perspective for your classroom set up! I do love all of the arrangements! This desk arrangement is OH SO CUTE. I find myself using a few of these throughout the year. So the hybrid worked really well for me. I've definitely found my favorite. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. Browse 1-31 desk arrangement resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, a marketplace trusted by millions of teachers for original educational resources. Whatever arrangement (s) you use, be sure students can enter and exit the classroom efficiently and backpacks, electrical cords, and other materials can be kept out of the walkways. Students who need to be by themselves wouldnt even be in this setup, right? Am I right? Students have clear views of the front of the classroom which is beneficial for teacher instruction. Of course, you can make combinations of different classroom layouts and adapt them to your own classroom and available space. When I have had more students I just made the rows or table groups longer. It sounds like a great use of space. Your classroom can still feel "open," even with numerous desks. This layout again makes it easier for the teacher to see if all students are on task as the desks are angled to one point in the classroom. The first place to start is with the rows of desks and chairs. She designs engaging, organized classroom resources for 1st-3rd grade teachers. Interactive hands-on lessons. This year I had me 3rd graders choose whether they wanted to be in a row or a group. However, if you have space in your classroom, you may be able to set up a variety of other group work areas in the classroom and save the desks for individual work. margin-left: 8px; They also make walking around to each students desk easier. Watching videos and presentations. Color-Code Everything Its more fun with two but still gives you a nice overview. Five or more teachers. As there arent rows of tables, students also cannot see too many other students computer screens in this format which may minimize distractions and lead to more effective learning. Here are some important considerations for an ideal classroom layout: #1 All Students Visible to the Instructor The seating arrangement should make all students visible to the instructor. Fitspo and other motivational content is all the rage today. This enables taller students to still have a clear view of the front by looking over the heads of shorter students in the inner horseshoe. The setting of the desk will also help students to stay on task. So, I would use this layout simply so students are aware of what to expect when entering an exam room. Students generally dont get a permanent personal workspace in workstation environments. This layout is a textbook example of a behaviorist approach, whereby the teacher delivers truths to students and the students practice what is taught in isolation. This layout wont suit a classroom that does involve a lot of group work/collaboration. Always write in pencil, because seating arrangements change often (especially at the start of the school year). See more ideas about classroom seating, desk arrangements, classroom. I noticed most of these arrangements are for 26-28 students. This desk arrangement concept was another one of my favourite layouts for the classroom. Class Discussion. Jenn, If you dont have very many students in your room, this is a good choice. It can reflect an amphitheater model where everyone is looking at one focal action point at the front middle of the classroom. Desks in Rows. Desk arrangements are important in organizing and managing your classroom. Usually, a horseshoe pattern works well. Cite this Article in your Essay (APA Style), Privacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsDisclaimerAccessibility StatementVideo Transcripts. The modified horseshoe involves columns of desks and a 6. This setup is not space efficient and may not be possible in a smaller classroom with minimal space. For example, its harder for the teacher to go around in the classroom. Choose from over 40 This arrangement may also make it difficult for teachers to properly monitor all groups if the tables or groups of desks are simply placed about the room in a haphazard manner.In schoolrooms of old, classroom desks were bolted in place on the floor, and teachers and students didn't have available alternative seating choices. Group discussions. This decision is a big one, as classroom desk arrangements largely determine: the way students interact with each other throughout the day. Dont use this desk arrangement for group work. Thank you for all of these amazing ideas! The teacher will be available to give more guidance when needed as well. Social learning. Cant wait to try them. This may minimize the limitation of this layout, which is lack of ability to use group work. Hannah, Thats one of the many challenges of teaching, as you know Check out how this teacher and her students designed their own space A Student-Designed Flexible Seating Classroom Tour. One corner where students get more instructions, the other has expansion exercises, one corner has noise-canceling headphones so students can concentrate, etc. You can see where Im going here. Pick the one that suits your style, your needs, and your personality. If you havent joined the group yet, its a great way to stay up-to-speed on everything Create-abilities, including product announcements, sales, freebies, livebroadcasts, giveaways, and more! This is another arrangement that I really loved. It is also being done to examine in sitting in desks, are friendly for children. Social interaction is an important area of occupational participation for children in their roles as students (AOTA, 2014). Social learning. We hate spam. If students need to look at the board at the front of the class, Students at the far end of one row will find it, When the teacher needs students attention, the. However, teachers have amazing teacher judgement to determine which students should and should NOT be grouped together. Keep reading, Ill tell you about it. Ive provided classroom diagrams (images) for each layout below: The classroom layout with tables which form groups is common in early years and elementary / primary school classrooms. I typically prefer small groups, but after 8 days of school, it is clear that this arrangement is not going to work for my new 3rd graders. One-on-one support is more or less off the table here. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Runway. I decided to try small groups of 4 and 5, and it quickly became my favorite seating arrangement. . The pivot of the desks gives all students a good view of the front of the class. These two arrangements are a great way to include a lot of desks in a little area. In contrast to the double u-shape arrangement, this u-shape for in a large classroom doesnt really cast students out. Again, it really depends on the students in your class and what works best for them. Students will be able to collaborate with one another through messaging software. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. This post will cover 13 ways to set up your student seating, with photos! I like being able to easily access each desk and move between the rows. Digital activities and interactive games built for the big screen. Students can see one another when speaking up, encouraging face-to-face dialogue. Providing Feedback. This pattern is an arrangement of the chairs in a semi-circle in front of the board or where the teacher often lectures from. Students' Desks There are four basic student desk arrangements. It remains one of the most popular layouts for classrooms in which desktop computers are provided at each students workstation. Then I turn the back group so all three main chunks of desks are parallel. It also frees up more floor space around the classroom. Each child can see the board from this arrangement. Your email address will not be published. It gives you an overview of your students computers. If you are struggling with a small classroom. With workstations, students can do plenty of experimentation and exploration on a variety of tasks throughout the day. The strong focus on the central action zone that all the desks are facing encourages one-to-many modeled instruction rather than small group discussions. Plus, it's so easy to group the desks for station work, and students are always moving them around for different activities. If you use a lot of laptops or tablets, this class might be good. Required fields are marked *. It may help facilitate engaged learning as distractions are minimized. I like to mix it up every term and quite often I run out of ideas. Share this post with other teachers to inspire them! Four students per table in two columns. I've done a lot of experimenting with desk arrangements over the years. Is there any way you could could the students chairs and the front of the classroom? If you have any other setup ideas or a fun combination in your classroom, be sure to share them in our Facebook Group. Seating your students this way is a good idea when you want them to focus on the front of the classroom. I currently have 6 small group tables of 5. Your email address will not be published. I actually have 6 horseshoes with a 3 drawer rolling cart in the middle for each classes supplies in their drawer. Types of student desk arrangements and seating plans There are several basic desk arrangements that I like to rotate between: Stadium Seating (or Angled Rows with Desks Touching) Modified U (or Horseshoe) Groups (or Teams) Combination (desks in various positions) However, Im hoping this list of suggested seating arrangements spark some inspiration to help you get your classroom working. Active learning. This layout is one that I often used in my early years classrooms. Don't forget to always leave one available for a substitute teacher. Observational learning (as promoted by Bandura) is therefore ideal in this situation. This method became very common when computer rooms were introduced into schools in the late 1990s. The one or two kids that needed to be by themselves were typically in ones of those rows for the lesson and then Id have them push their desk all the way to the front wall or to the side for independent work. Use small groups of four when you want your students to put their heads together. 4334 sheridan lane san diego, ca 92120; More Buying Choices. This layout also allows for a little flexibility in that if you have particular students that really need to face the whiteboard you can make sure they are facing the front of the classroom. Use this basic lesson plan template with a whiteboard below. Browse classroom desk arrangements resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, a marketplace trusted by millions of teachers for original educational resources. 9. Again, this layout makes it easier for the teacher to get around and help out individual students. Thanks for your feedback on the flexible seating ideas as well! Your classroom layout is one of the most important factors in managing your day. Horseshoe desks are common in university seminars, although are seen in just about any classroom format. Your email address will not be published. Pair-up activities feel very natural in this situation. An oldy but a goodie. This semi-circular arrangement aids in good board visibility and maintaining a quick check on every student. Hello there! Large group discussions. . This table arrangement is all about space saving, and might give students a nature view if they are by a window! This set-up, of course, lends itself really well to a classroom that does a lot of group work and collaboration. Have one different flexible seating option available and see if its something your students will be able to cope with and will improve their learning environment. Getting a new seating assignment as a student was always nerve-wracking. This way the desks still fit great in the classroom and students can collaborate and be a community. Project-based discovery learning. We have some Flexible Seating Expectation posters that would also help with the change over if this is something that you are thinking of doing. As each workstation has a different shape and structure, you can create projects with a variety of different foci that revolve around the days theme. Students in the back might feel a bit left out as well. Mega Seating Plan is one of the most popular initiatives with staff we have added over the past few years. The grouping of student desks in a variety of numbered groups is one option that may work for you and your students in your classroom. When youre working on a big project or teaching a comprehensive topic with different aspects or themes, this seating arrangement will do just fine. Im always tripping over someone or something! 20 Best Desk Arrangements ideas | desk arrangements, classroom seating, classroom arrangement Desk Arrangements 20 Pins 4y T Collection by Teaching Channel Classroom Layout 4th Grade Classroom Classroom Design Future Classroom Classroom Organization Classroom Management Classroom Decor Classroom Setting Classroom Table Arrangement These can be arranged in a full or semi-circle which is perfect for sharing and reading aloud time. Finding a classroom desk set-up that suits you and your students can be a tricky task. Check out these examples below. Also, if you are a teacher who finds the competition of group points works well to keep your students on task this desk layout is a winner! See here for more information: https://help.diviengine.com/article/155-using-divi-mobile-in-the-theme-builder. When I wanted to do group work I had those two small rows push their desks together in a cluster or just have kids move their chairs so they were looking at eachother across the desks. Have a great year! These classroom decoration ideas and hacks cover everything from setting up displays to finding unique classroom themes so teachers can get ready for the new school year. Effective Classroom Seating Arrangements for Student Learning As you begin planning for a new school year, your classroom seating arrangement is probably at the top of your to-do list. This layout can also be excellent for sharing resources. May 29, 2017 - Explore Cindy Adams's board "Classroom Desk arrangement" on Pinterest. Product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within the bookwidgets.com website are the property of their respective trademark holders. See more ideas about classroom desk, classroom, classroom arrangement. It is user friendly and enables staff to make a standardised seating plan with all the student information within minutes. A classroom seating chart template is a useful tool for teachers. Arranging students in a horseshoe or circle will facilitate an environment where group work is the primary focus of the classroom. 1. There is no head of the table meaning power is evenly distributed. Here are some pros and cons to eight different classroom desk arrangement ideas that have been tried and tested by teachers in the know. The key characteristic of this design is that the students never have their backs to one another and all students have a clear unimpeded view of the central stage area of the classroom. Source: Elena Brynildson 2. Hannah Braun is a former teacher with 8 years of experience in the classroom and a master's degree in early childhood education. Consider pairing weaker students with stronger students or pairing students into learning styles to differentiate lessons based on pairs. This helps students to improve their own understanding of the content. 3. They are closely associated with the open learning spaces trend that has taken hold in the past decade. All students should be able to see something and its easier for the one in the front to divide its attention and eye contact. The teacher should be able to justify the arrangement of desks and chairs on the basis of certain educational goals. The most important thing is that students feel confident and trust the classroom environment. Youre welcome! To get your free download of desk arrangements, we canemail it to you, or you can download it from the Files section of ourCreate-abilities Teacher CommunityFacebook Group. Are you teaching a small group of students? The teacher's desk is placed at one side so . Students are all facing directly at a singular action zone in the front center of the classroom. 1. The main struggle is, of course, the size of the classroom and the furniture you have available to you, etc. Its so hard to do ANYTHING with 30 desks (and 34 students in one hour)! This layout is designed to separate all students as much as possible so they cannot see or communicate with one another. There are many teaching methods for your lesson topics, so why not change your classroom interior based on your lesson? The two groups on the left have their desks lowered to the floor with cushions, the back group are on risers in order to convert them into standing desks, and the groups on the right have yoga balls! It has such an important influence on classroom management and often dictates the layout of your entire room. Its so crazy how something that has worked before can be the wrong answer for a new group of kids. In other words, classroom layouts should send a message and work with your pedagogical strategy. Tables: Arranged in rows, either butted together side by side or standing alone. Students are constantly wanting access to the middle area, requiring a desk to be pulled away to provide access. If your classroom has tables instead of desks, never fear! Because students are looking directly at one another, Inner areas of the class (the inside horseshoe) may be, Students are all facing the same direction making it. They get to know each other better and make friends. If you count the number of desks in the diagram above, you'll be surprised to see there are 25. Groups of 6. Click the links below for specific class sizes: Cons Hmm, I got nothin. BookWidgets enables teachers to create fun and interactive There are few opportunities for students to be distracted by other computer screens aside from those to their direct left and right. You can also let your students work together with the ones on their row. Students find it very hard to communicate with one another and cannot look at each others work. Are you about to embark on a new school year in a new classroom? This teacher also varied the group size. Aim to stand in the front, middle only when seeking students attention. 20 Best Desk Arrangements ideas | desk arrangements, classroom arrangement, classroom seating Desk Arrangements 20 Pins 4y T Collection by Teaching Channel Similar ideas popular now Classroom Management Classroom Layout 4th Grade Classroom Classroom Design Future Classroom Classroom Organization Classroom Management Classroom Decor Each classroom seating plan has different pros and cons. Obviously, this layout doesnt cater very well to small group/collaborative learning. Lucky Little Learners | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use, Please make sure you are not using our custom header option and enabled theme builder setting. Be conscious of space. Its also nice to offer more support to the groups of two as needed. An exam situation is the most common situation in which this layout is used. Group Work. Its very cozy but has some disadvantages as well. This sort of table is very common in professional workplaces where groups of board members get together to discuss big picture issues. It will encourage collaboration, teamwork, and (most importantly) oral communication. When you have more students or a smaller classroom, you can choose for the double U-shape arrangement. The way you should set up your desk arrangements and classroom layouts matters. Its interesting how different groups of students, different times of the year, and different activities call for a change in desk arrangement. We've got you covered! Bundle. At the moment I'm semi flexible, I have tables that allow up to six and four students, bean bags, coffee table, small tables for one and lap trays. This Double E shape may just be the desk layout that will work for you. classroom desk arrangements for 25 students. That is tricky, especially if you have the desks where the table top is connected to the arm of the desk. Circle arrangements work well for group discussions to keep the whole class engaged. Repeat this a few times if you have enough classroom space. Similarly, if youve decided that your students are excessively misbehaving, you might want to go to rows while you work on getting your classs behavior back on track. While considered outdated to many, all students still come across it at some point in their schooling. For small group work time, pushing five tables together to create a flower shape ensures each student in the group can see and be seen by the others . A little variety in class is always nice. 21 Best Classroom Desk Arrangements: Ideas to Consider. When planning a classroom seating char, ask yourself questions like: Hi Lisa, All rights reserved. This is another one of my favorites if you have a wide room. The conference classroom gives your students an equal voice and a snapshot of a business meeting room. Hi there, Classroom Select NeoClass Sled Base Desk, 18 Inch A+ Seat, 24 x 18 Inch Laminate Top, LockEdge, Black Frame. Plastic retail shelf dividers organizers CASE of 25 pcs clear 10" x 5" NEW . Still common in high schools and exam halls, this format emphasizes individualistic working conditions and maximum teacher control. Thanks for sharing all the great classroom arrangements! Students get together as a group of equals to discuss big picture issues as if they are the decision-makers at a conference board. In terms of minimizing distractions, studies have found that. Amazon's Choice Flash Furniture Billie Student Desk - Natural Open Front Metal School Desk - 24"W x 18"D Adjustable Height, Durable Desk for School or Remote Learning Desk arrangements are important in organizing and managing your classroom. Arrange your classroom in a way that accurately portrays your educational philosophy and ensures that your students can move around and interact the way you'd like. Are you struggling to set-up your classroom? I would love to see some options that have room for carpet/mat at the front of the classroom. A slight deviation to the desks in rows. The rest will be the audience. Let your students work individually, yet they sit together. Its best to use this arrangement when giving a presentation or when teaching in front of the classroom. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ab0d9ab61778773b71b9b7989e34a5e6" );document.getElementById("cd4d278312").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Sign up below to join over 180,000 teachers who are getting our Sunday emails sent to them every week! Teachers can use this design during a lab or an activity that has rotating stations. Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. Table rows are a traditional classroom layout style designed for teacher-centered instruction. Aug 21, 2017 - Explore MG13's board "Classroom desk Arrangement", followed by 313 people on Pinterest. By talking through the content in groups, students get to hear other peoples perspectives. They ensure our classrooms are accessible to all and enable every student to feel a sense of belonging. Cooperative Learning. This arrangement works great for collaboration, but would need clear expectations for students when it came to independent work time. However, if you do have large numbers of students in your class this layout could put some students a fair way away from the whiteboard and the front of the class. The props can be passed down the line of the horseshoes. I use a miniature version of the horseshoe. The highest communication interactions between professors and students typically . It's always a matter of trial and error, isn't it? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Pairs. Similarly, they may not be able to reach the resources in the middle of the table. This format tends to fade away as students get older and teaching styles move away from play-based and hands-on learning. In a 1987 article, Jon Saphier and Robert Gower provide these basic space guidelines: Materials students use should be visibly stored and accessible Constructivism emphasizes discovery learning, project-based tasks and exploration for learning. The pair arrangement can be done with desks or tables, and allows the teacher to move around the room between pairs. Should you choose a digital teacher planner or a paper planner? Which arrangement works the best in your classroom? Explore resources by theme, topic, strategies, or events. Choice can be so powerful in the classroom. lessons for tablets, smartphones, and computers. With the back to school season, comes classroom setup time. The traditional desk in rows is still an option, especially if you do a lot of board work. Best of luck to you this year! Your desk layout reveals what sort of learning you want to occur in the classroom, such as: social learning or individual learning? Click below to start downloading ALL THE THINGS! But any content area can use 'making' as a primary teaching and learning strategy, and to do so, you'll need to create the spaces for that to happen. This grid-type arrangement is done without consideration of the center's popularity or the amount of furniture needed to equip the area. Classroom design can impact student social participation; however, there is a lack of current research focused on effects of . I actually created a PowerPoint (citing this blogpost of course) with all of the information to share at a PLC meeting. 11 Easy Desk Arrangements for Your Best Classroom Yet. There is no single classroom seating arrangement that promotes positive behavioural and academic outcomes for all tasks, because the available research clearly indicates that the nature (i.e., interactive versus independent) of the task should dictate the arrangement.. Encourage your students to come to a consensus or a solution to the problem. Best of luck to you this school year! Two milk crates zip tied together went to the front of the cluster between the first two desks to store the groups materials. Students all face directly to the front where the teacher stands. Seekprofessional input on your specific circumstances. . $27.25. It is rows of two, three or four, but slightly turned so they face the center of the classroom. I have the two side groups split up into smaller groups of 4-6 with a small (about another desk width) space between the groups. It also helps save space if you dont have a large room. When youre in a classroom with student desks and computers, you can use this classroom layout. Students face forward, keeping their concentration on their work on their desk, the board at the front of the room, and the teacher standing at the front. Last year after some experimentation we used a hybrid of clusters and individual seats. You can also practice speech (foreign language) by letting the students facing each other talk to each other. The clusters arrangement is intended for group work and projects. The class conference layout brings all desks in the room together to create one large, long conference table. I have tried most of these, all of which are affective in their own way. Browse Catalog Grade Level Pre-K - K 1 - 2 3 - 5 6 - 8 9 - 12 Other Subject Arts & Music English Language Arts World Language Math Science Social Studies - History Specialty Holidays / Seasonal color Facet Value. Students will learn to go quiet and stop their work when you walk towards your regular teaching spot. With younger students, I get them to sit at the front of the class for more intimate discussions. You can always email us at cassie@create-abilities.com if you have any issues. This is the setup that I used the most. 1. This helps ensure students work in isolation and do not cheat. A traditional teacher-centered classroom classroom, such as in a lecture theater, has this sort of layout. You can still walk around and access each students desk easily and it makes group or team work easy to manage. Sociocultural learning theory highlights that social interaction is integral for learning development. Experiential Learning. Workstation classroom layouts are very flexible, loose, free-flowing environments, but have the in-built design intention for students to be working at different tasks depending on the station they are working at. Here are some pros and cons to eight different classroom desk arrangement ideas that have been tried and tested by teachers in the know. Use this just like mentioned above. All students in this desk layout will face the board and it lends itself to easily move the desks to cater for test conditions if required. It is also a good layout for show-and-tell sessions where students can show-off the props they bring into class. This helps certain students who can only sit by certain kids or helps students who can get overwhelmed sitting by a lot of other kids. Everything will be spread out on those desks in the middle. Clusters. This way they can look left or right depending on where I was teaching from. Thanks, Jade-Marie. Ill have to try something new! The AmpliVox Multimedia Smart Podium is a great presentation center for large classrooms. Feel free to navigate to your layout of choice using the menu below or scroll down to browse. Many teachers change out their theme year after year, but one thing often remains the same: the desk/table arrangement. Again, a con to this set-up would be you will have some students not facing the whiteboard and others that are facing the whiteboard, however, may have other students heads in the way of their viewing of the whiteboard. I either loved an arrangement and used it all year, or I kept trying to switch it up and was never satisfied. Thank you for so many suggestions. I also use the flexible seating 'rules' which have proved very useful. It gives you much more freedom as you can draw your own classroom setup. Every lesson is different. The drawback is that it doesn't really allow for collaborative work. Every classroom is different. I would often sit my chair in the middle of one of the U shapes to have small discussions with each group when needed. This method is most commonly used because there is a very short distance from computers to the wall plugs, preventing chances for injury from cables. Theoretical Connection: Banduras Social Learning Theory. This makes them ideal for group work and project-based learning. Your classroom layout affects student behavior, transitions, routines and procedures, student . The open space in the middle of the desks is clearly the focal point or action zone in this sort of space. Yet, choosing how to arrange classroom desks depends on your preferences and teaching style. Whole-class discussions. Exams. Inclusive classroom spaces teach our students about the fundamental importance of inclusion and equality. There are also many students who will be looking at other students heads, so you might find a lot of students pivoting to talk to one another. I have done the horseshoe but instead of connecting the two sides I leave a space between the sides and can easily move between the back and front. When students are comfortable, they will be more engaged, and therefore more knowledge can be obtained. Horseshoe/U-Shape. They are also making them all sorts of shapes, including triangle desks. Teachers have a blast decorating their rooms, creating bulletin board masterpieces and making their classroom a home away from home. The purpose is to let students listen to the one in front of the classroom. Teachers who consider themselves sociocultural theorists tend to prefer these classrooms. The hybrid n butterfly are the favourites in my classroom. The long rows both look out over a runway of free, open space for presentations. It is working for now, but it takes up a lot of space. Feb 20, 2019 - Ways to switch up classroom seating throughout the year you encourage various forms of learning (ie: group work, individual work, tests, partners). Use the conference seating arrangement when making classroom rules, planning an event, for an intervention, a class discussion, etc. Divide your classroom into two groups. 5 Spanish Classroom Ideas to Give Students a Breath of Fresh Air. Most kids gave great reasons.I focus better in a row, I like/dont like working with others, facing the front helps me pay attention. In other words, if you think changing your tables is going to solve your problems, youre probably not going to see results. Hannah Braun is a former teacher with 8 years of experience in the classroom and a master's degree in early childhood education. 2013- 2020 Not ideal, but made it work. They can minimize the classroom hassle of taking students' attendance by looking into the classroom seating chart. Dont worry though, theres a conference classroom layout for many students and a large classroom as well. Similarly, if you commonly have students give front-of-class presentations, this might be a good environment for you. Some students who desire personal private space will struggle in this environment. Get your students seated next to each other on one line. 10. If you want students to communicate, consider linking them up to a class chat log on an online forum discussion. Will definitely be doing this again in the future! Yes that would be good as well as a class full of behaviour issues. Make sure to move around your student desks from time to time so you have the perfect classroom seating arrangement for your lesson. Let the groups work on bigger projects like organizing an event, putting together a play, setting up their own company, keep a political meeting with different representatives,etc. The research on classroom layouts is quite clear that its not so much the layout that matters, but the teachers pedagogy. In this post, Ill show you 19 possible classroom seating arrangements. It works well for group work as well as partners or teams. Do not want the students too close to each other. Sometimes smaller children find it hard to communicate across large desks. A common design mistake is arranging the classrooms in a grid-like fashion, which means that equal-sized centers are arranged around the classroom's perimeter or along the walls. 12 Classroom Seating Plans & Charts for Teachers By Chris Drew (PhD) / November 12, 2022 A teacher's classroom seating plan reveals a lot about what they value in education. Nice to hear from you. Wall-Facing Desks (Computer Room Style), Pros and Cons of the Horseshoe Desk Layout, Pros and Cons of the Double-U Horseshoe Variation, Pros and Cons of a Class Conference Desk Layout, Pros and Cons of the Rows and Columns Layout, Pros and Cons of the Perpendicular Runway, Pros and Cons of the Wall-Facing Computer Room Style, Cultural Globalization (Examples, Pros, Cons) - AP Human Geo, Conflict Theory in Sociology: Assumptions and Criticisms. Studentsshould always cross-check any information on this site with their course teacher. A classroom desk arrangement for 20 students or more, this one 4. various ways in which desks can be arranged in the classroom, what influences these arrangements could have on student participation, and benefits of future research on this topic. The circle is a classic seating formation in which you encourage your students to join a classroom talk or discussion. Wondering how I can get the hybrid to work in a high school class. Student-Led Classroom. A classroom desk arrangement for 20 students or more, this one Horseshoe/U-Shape. It is also possible to use this layout for computer-connected classrooms. With all students facing one another, it is easy to facilitate discussions in this space. After telling students what to do, it's important to show them exactly how to do it. Make sure you have flexible and movable furniture such as desks on rolling wheels for this layout. Get the students into Team A and Team B. Whether you have a class of less than 20 or a class of 28 students, explore the most commonly-used classroom desk arrangements to find the layout that works best for you and your students. We spend hours upon hours setting up our classroom displays and moving the classroom furniture around multiple times before the children even step foot in the classroom. If you want the PowerPoint just let me know! The ponderous weight of your happiness hinged on where you sat. Let them work together on bigger projects like in number 17. As all desks are attached, wires can be fed under the desks to prevent dangerous wires blocking walkways. It is a method that is uncommon but can be useful for when you want to divide the class into two distinct and equal groups. This way every one is able to face the front and I have 5 groups of 4-6 with plenty of floor space! With access to so many images and quotations online through social media sharing, people pick out things that . Student-centered or teacher-centered learning? Assign different tasks to each corner. This layout is also ideal for formal teacher-centered lessons in high school classrooms. Check out this tool (the worksheet widget) on BookWidgets! Pair up students and let them work individual or together. One of my favourites is a central column of desks (like the groups of 6) but as long as needed with a flat row facing the board at the back. Use this classroom desk arrangement to encourage discussion in smaller groups. We cite peer reviewed academic articles wherever possible and reference our sources at the end of our articles. My whiteboard/doc camera is not centered (on the right side of one of my walls), so that poses a challenge. Pros All students are facing toward the front, Cons Its hard to get to the students in the back row, Pros Saves space in your classroom, sharing materials is easy, Cons Some students have to turn to face the front, Cons Some students have their backs to the front, Pros Everyone faces toward the front, a little easier to get to all the kids than with the traditional horseshoe, Cons Takes up a lot of space, hard to share materials, Pros Everyone faces toward the front, its easy to get near all students, Pros Everyone faces toward the front, easy to get to all students. We dont share email addresses with third parties. All with a variety of success. . Have students use the free space in the middle of the class to present their content or have guests give their presentations in the middle space. PIG activities (partner, individual, group). That seems unfair. Theoretical Connection: Behaviorist theory of teaching and learning. More items. The "pair up" arrangement involves placing students in pairs using a set of The Butterfly. Thanks so much for your favourite seating arrangement for your classroom! As students sit in rows, its hard to form groups to get students talking to one another. This is a fun way to position students. . This setup works well for partner work. Individual student work and exams. Use Plastic Drawers or Containers on Shelves Using plastic drawers to hold items for the table mates helps keep everything organized. Debates. Mobility. If you have a large classroom with 32 or more students we recommend the following student desk: Two Pupil Desks. This is an oldy but a goody. exercise templates (quizzes, crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, ), 2013-2023 Kidimedia. In each graphic I intended for the bottom edge to be the front. Getting students to pretend they are a board of directors can have them mock real-life workforce situations. The downside is some of your students may have trouble seeing the board from the vertical rows near the back. . The arrangement can be changed on a day-to-day basis or be permanent. Hi Laura, Knowing the best classroom desk arrangement for your students takes a bit of time after school has started. Many "U's". Everything will be spread out on those desks in the middle. 2. The long rows mean students are often tripping over each others chairs when trying to get in and out of their space. I was, though, a bit confused. It is almost universally accepted that social interaction helps stimulate learning. Students each face their computer and away from others to help them to remain focused on the content. The smaller group size also allows for more walking room between groups. This blog highlights a number of classroom desk arrangement ideas to inspire you! One way to combat this is to mix up the desk arrangement and try to cater to a variety of learning styles and needs. This seating arrangement is a good idea to start the year. I have a smart board at the back of the room and white board at the front. We've taken a look at some of the science behind seating arrangements plus considered the rules and regulations around preferential seating to ensure your students with IEPs are being best served by their spot in the classroom. There were a couple I will try today when I go back in and set up for my 2020 year 3 class. In that case, the conference classroom arrangement is a possibility. There are several pages of possible student desk arrangements for class sizes from 16-31+. Arrangement with Two E-shaped Desks This is the most common arrangement we utilized. It works well for group or team work. Logistically, determine the focal points of the classroom (e.g., whiteboard or projection screen, demonstration table) and be sure that your arrangement allows . This layout is ideal for computer-enhanced learning for teachers who want to employ try a cognitive tools theoretical approach. This layout also uses less floor space and, as we know, some classrooms are very, very small the more floor space you can get the better! Getting your students involved in the process is another bonus to this seating set-up. In a typical class, you might have five rows of six students. It is an uncommon desk layout for classrooms, but can be good for science demonstrations and student-curated performances in the middle space. Finally, I believe it's important to change where students sit in the classroom on a regular basis. Forty years ago, US environmental psychologist Professor Robert Sommer had this to say about choosing a classroom layout. Have the students come up with ideas for their side of the debate then return to their desks. Hang in there. Create your classroom seating chart now. In this way, students can get their heads together when needed. A double V, interesting, I havent tried that one. The obvious con of this arrangement is that students may not like to be sitting in a different configuration to their friends. While there are issues with the idea of authentic learning, the basic idea is to have students learn in ways that mimic real life. This desk configuration creates two smaller carpet areas in the middle of the desks, which would provide some space for small group work as well. Seating: Similar to a school arrangement with participants seated behind a row of desks or tables. With the butterfly, desks face toward one or two desks in the Desks in Rows. This year, I have the same arrangement, but I am utilizing flexible seating. This is a learner-centered classroom setup ideal for classes of all sizes. Inquiry-Guided Instruction. Expand what's possible for every student. allowing students to have choice in their seating. When I have used this method, Ive had to ask all students to turn their monitors off and turn to face the rest of the class during the modeled instruction at the start of the lesson. An add-on to this format is the butterfly layout, where additional desks are placed in the open space in the middle of the classroom if you need to fit more students in. Hi Hannah, thanks for sharing. Great desk arrangements! Let students talk to the one facing them (discussion, practice a foreign language, get to know each other, etc.). Use the think-pair-share method when trying to get students to socially interact. If a classroom is disorganized and clustered, then it will be kind of hard for a child to work and learn . You can also do groups of three and cut out one of the rows. Obviously, there are a number of factors that will influence the seating arrangement that will work in your classroom. To Use Rows of Desks or Not. Your desk layout reveals what sort of learning you want to occur in the classroom, such as: There isnt a best classroom design. thanks from Durango, Mexico. . We also recommend seating the more quiet students to be seated between the talkative students. The key to arranging the chair is to make it closer to the teacher and to the board. Im glad you found some ideas. One con to having bigger desk groups (or pods as some teachers call them), is the talking. My favorite has always been a modified horseshoe arrangement similar to yours. This can be the teacher, or a student giving a presentation or demonstration. Here, you can also easily divide your classroom into three columns of pairs. 5mm Shield Board Sneeze Guard Panel Desk Dividers Standing for Business Counters . Expert interviews, classroom best practices, and entertaining and engaging conversationsall driven by our mission to help every elementary educator empower their teaching. The students I placed there were the ones that did better with fewer distractions or ones that I wanted to check in with more frequently. Classroom Seating Chart Template. When you see pictures of classrooms from any time period, you will see the desks in rows. What I mean by this is either pairing the desks up in 2s,3s, or one long row. Allows for room up the front, collaboartive work in the column, space in the wings and a traditional back row for students who like to work together but benefit from front facing not face to face placing. 1. Its not a classroom seating arrangement app, but it comes close. It might work to do the three long table groups with that many students. Explore the ultimate list of teacher discounts, including Apple, Frankie4, Teach Starter, and more ways to save. Another popular way to arrange student desks is in groups, or pods. Students are all facing one another, enabling discussion across the classroom. They cant talk to each other or let their eyes wander on someone elses paper. It is nice to be able to use either the front or the back of the classroom. However, youll then need to follow-up with appropriate pedagogical strategies. } Hopefully these suggestions and photos help you create the classroom of your dreams! All the advice on this site is general in nature. Moreover, it enhances teamwork and cooperation. Theoretical Connection: Socio-Cultural / Social Constructivist Theory. All students face forward at the front of the classroom allowing all students clear vision of the front of the classroom. Flexible seating is not a new concept. Teachers either love this concept or they dont. Obviously, there are a number of factors that will influence the seating arrangement that will work in your classroom. Learn more about our academic and editorial standards. BUT, thanks to the awesome teachers in our Lucky 2nd Grade Teachers Facebook Group, check out these cute ways to arrange triangle desks. Numerous studies have illustrated that participation in occupations--defined as meaningful life activities--is essential to wellness (AOTA, 2014). Every strategy needs an effective classroom arrangement. $9350 $104.99. Help 1st-graders improve their writing skills! Have students face one another, chat, and share resources at the conference table. They also had to explain why they made their choice. To the sides I have single desks that allow for two students in rows to fill the 'wings' as such. Rob responds quickly to any queries or suggestions and is always willing to help. The circle or o-shaped classroom can facilitate democratic discussion because all students are an equal distance from one another and facing each other. When the desks are in rows it is often easier for the teacher to see who is on task as well.