Flexible Seating, or also called Alternate Seating, provides a 21st Century Classroom for scholars! There is no better way to show you support a student-centered classroom, than creating a classroom from a child’s point of view!
Comfortable Students = Student Engagement!
Classroom Ownership = Student Engagement!
Empowering Choice = Student Engagement!
Being uncomfortable is unhealthy in numerous ways, but most importantly it does not improve attention and work ethic. As an adult, I can not or could not, sit at a desk all day in an expensive comfortable chair, let alone a student school chair. I get very uncomfortable, things start to hurt and all I’m focused on is how much longer I have to sit like that. I have no focus on my work at hand, let alone anything else. So why would we do that to students? When it’s time for me to focus and work, I grab my materials and I CHOOSE a place to work where I know I can do my best. This is what I want for me and this is what I want for my students.
I am here today to share my journey of CHOOSING to create this environment for my students, the implementation, the reasons and more!
The Start of my Flexible Seating Journey:
Returning to the classroom in the Fall of 2016, I had a taste of the benefits that providing Flexible Seating to students as a Literacy Coach. My roommate and teaching bestie is the EC Lead and a 3rd – 5th grade Inclusion Teacher. She provided her 3rd-5th grade students Flexible Seating.
At first I was skeptical, but as time passed I loved it! Every day when I arrived at work, I kept dipping my toes in the Flexible Seating water. I observed the students daily, students with a variety of differences and similarities. I observed their work ethic, their listening skills, but most of all I observed their attitude.
Our classroom was their favorite place to be each day! They felt like it was their own classroom and Mrs. Keiser, was their favorite person to be with. The student’s attitudes towards school and learning told the whole reason for success in their career as a scholar!
How I Implemented Flexible Seatingย in my Classroom: The Process of Transition!
I introduced the idea of Flexible Seating to my parents during Open House in Pre-Planning. I simply just spoke about it and shared information through a brochure and flyer. This was not a current trend at my school, so I knew it was a new concept to the parents.
Midway through the first nine weeks after going through beginning of the year classroom procedures, I introduced the idea of Flexible Seating to my students. We looked at different photographs online of types of Flexible Seating in other classrooms in the United States.
We then had 2 mini lessons. The first mini lesson was about what is Flexible Seating in our classroom. The second mini lesson was about the rules for Flexible Seating in our classroom.
Then slowly, from September to October, I switched out 1 table group of desks at a time. During this time, I allowed all students to try the new option for Flexible Seating. We continuously reviewed the rules of this new choice. We modeled proper and improper ways of using the new type of Flexible Seating. We continuously went through this process until my entire room was transformed. I left 2 regular student desks as an option for students who still preferred traditional seating.
How I Afforded to Implement Flexible Seating In My Classroom: Tips and Ideas!
As a busy mother of 2 young children and a USMC active duty wife, I have little time to search and a budget! Therefore, I turned to the online garage sale groups in my neighborhood and community on Facebook. If you are not a part of any of those groups, you should be! Just log into Facebook and search online yard or garage sale groups in your neighborhood, town or community and join! Moving every 3 years or so, this is how I’ve always sold items.
Here is where I scored 2 butterfly chairs for $10 and for $8. Next, I was selling some items online that wouldn’t fit into our downsized home. I contacted a seller that was selling a black futon for $70. Long story short, she needed some of my items so we did a trade and I got the futon for $30! I spent $48 to get 4 great Flexible Seating options. Next was the stability balls. You can find inexpensive stability balls for cheap at local stores. But, I’m an Amazon girl. I save $ and time not having to drive anywhere and walk around a store.
So I purchased 6 stability balls on Amazon at $10 a piece [Deal of the day!]. I did go to Walmart to grab 10 frisbees at $.10 a piece in the summer clearance section that my stability balls sit on [Teaching bestie’s idea!]. The last thing I purchased were 6 black stack stools from Ikea at $5 a piece. So I personally spent $138 + tax on Flexible Seating for my room. For me to budget this over 2 months was not a huge strain, I say this because my students back to school shopping list covered everything and more that I would need for my classroom.
What it didn’t cover I put up at open house for parents to donate and send in [Idea- Next year post some Flexible Seating items for parents to donate or ask parents if they have anything at home they no longer use!]. I also get a little money for supplies of my choice. So I didn’t even need to purchase much to start the school year.
Next, I did a DonorsChoose project. All items came from Amazon and my project was fully funded! I ordered 6 stability balls, stacks stools, wobble stools, recreation stadium seats, video rockers and a rug! What a blessing! If you do not have a DonorsChoose account you need to sign up!
When I sign up to places, I always “unclick” receive emails and stuff. But, DON’T DO THAT here! You want to receive emails so you know when there are people or companies donating to projects in your state, when they are matching to double your donations or more! Those are the best times to post a new project! It’s so easy!
To grab any of my Flexible Seating items from Amazon, click on the titles below:
To grab the Stack Stools from Ikea, click on the link below:
The Benefits of a Flexible Seating Classroom: Researched Based!
You can google Flexible or Alternate Seating and read about tons of information. That’s what I did! It is a huge decision and commitment to changing and redesigning a classroom, so I wanted to make sure I was doing it for the right reasons! Here is what I learned from the research about the benefits of Flexible Seating.
Flexible Seating SUPPORTS:
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Creativity
- Oxygen Flow to Brain
- Blood Flow
- Better Posture
- Core Strength
- Burning Calories
- Increasing Metabolism
- Engagement
- Focus
- Better Behavior
- Brain-Based Activities
- Student Choice
- Enhancing the Learning Process
- Long Term Memory
- Knowledge Acquisition
- Information Retention
- Higher Level Reasoning
- Development in Life and Work Skills
- Conflict Resolutions
- Interpersonal Teamwork Skills
[The list goes on!]
Classroom Management:
Before implementing a Flexible Seating classroom, make sure your classroom management is great! Students need to be aware of how your classroom functions. Make sure students know the following:
- Caring for classroom materials and supplies
- Entering and leaving the classroom routines
- Caring for personal materials
- Caring for classroom furniture
- Understanding the roles of classroom jobs
- Knowing where to locate items
- Knowing where to turn in materials, check mailboxes and receive new materials
- Daily classroom agenda
- How we treat classmates
- Most Importantly: HOW WE CARE FOR FLEXIBLE SEATING CHOICES
Have Flexible Seating Mini-Lessons too! Go over the expectations and rules!
Having these items and more in place means you do not have to teach your students how anything operates in your classroom. Yes, they are children so they still need directions and reminders. But, once you give them that they can do it without your assistance.
How we Rotate:
I teach 5th Grade ELA with 51 students currently. We rotate every Tuesday upon entering class. Some people rotate weekly or let their students pick when they arrive. I couldn’t do that because 5th grade students have jobs around the school in the morning so they come to class last daily. Which meant they would never be walking into my classroom at the same time during the morning block. All of my students enter between 7:30 am – 8:00 am. So I needed a routine that allowed all students equal choices. I have a magnetic chart that displays seating choices and student numbers on magnets. Students are in line order, I simply call out the numbers and students go to the board, move their number to an open choice and go get started! I have a class roster, and everyone gets a turn to be first. I check the number of the student who starts first every week so I don’t forget. The first week I started with #1, then the next week #1 went to the bottom and I started with #2 and so on each week. There’s never been a problem, we have so many seating choices and students love them all!
(Click on any of the photos below or HERE for a direct link to this display!)
The Mental Teacher Shift:
This is a BIG change, and it is harder on the teacher than students. You are going to have to visualize the end goal of your room. You need to embrace the small changes on the road to your vision. The room arrangement will change and you need to be OK with that. Depending on the size and layout of your room, furniture might have to change positions. You are also not going to be in charge of telling students where to sit. Meaning, you won’t be able to arrange students the way you like. You need to be OK with students lying on the floor, sitting on the floor, standing and more during your instruction and their work period. You also need to have organized storage solution to replace the inside of the desk, so you need to visualize how that will work as well. The biggest mental shift is that it is not your classroom to decide on the arrangement, it is now the student’s classroom. Having a student-centered classroom means your room will resemble how 10 year olds [or the age you teach] feel most comfortable. Most teachers will have to let go, step back and facilitate the change in environment based on your student choices. Doing this is hard, but we are doing it for the benefit of students mentally, emotionally, physically and most importantly academically.
Student’s Opinions:
Here are some examples of how my students feel about our classroom seating options. This is what they included in our Thank You letters to our donors from DonorsChoose.
“In my opinion, it helps our behavior improve because students have comfy chairs which helps us relax and stay calm.” [5th Grade Student]
“The reasons I love Flexible Seating in the classroom are it gives me better back posture, it makes the classroom a nice environment to work in, and the seats are very comfortable.” [5th Grade Student]
“The reason why I love Flexible Seating in my classroom is because I can have fun while I’m working and when I am enjoying myself while working I do much better.” [5th Grade Student]
“The reasons why I love a Flexible Seating classroom is because it helps me focus and have fun while learning. It’s improved my grades!” [5th Grade Student]
“The reasons why I love a Flexible Seating classroom are you can figure out where you want to sit because if you sit at the same chair ALL day that would be SO boring and SO uncomfortable. I can’t learn when I’m uncomfortable.” [5th Grade Student]
“I feel this learning environment helps me because I can concentrate more. Research says the Flexible Seating increases your blood flow, I think this help me.” [5th Grade Student]
Parent’s Opinions:
I posted to parents this question, “How does a Flexible Seating Classroom benefit your child in the learning environment, and how Flexible Seating empowers a Student-Centered Classroom?” Here are what my parents said:
“Tyler loves the Flexible Seating! He’s more comfortable and it gets him excited about learning!” [Parent]
“Lily says the seating takes stress and pressure off her back which actually allows her to focus better and absorb more of what she is learning. Thank you!” [Parent]
“Quinn is always raving about the Flexible Seating arrangement! It allows him to get out some of his hyperactive energy without being disruptive to the class.” [Parent]
“Sahana thinks Flexible Seating gives her more energy to be focused throughout class. It allows her to also be more relaxed in a comfortable environment.” [Parent]
Why I will NEVER go back to Traditional Seating:
I have officially “ditched the desks” for good! I might even ditch the last 2 I kept for a traditional seating option in the future because students rarely sit there. I will never go back to traditional seating because I don’t like it and neither do my students. How can I expect them to sit straight and still all day in an uncomfortable desk and chair if I can’t even do that? I finally feel complete with the Best-Practices for students and have a complete Student-Centered classroom. I gear my instruction around the data that shows me what my students need academically. I used quotes based on my students actions and attitudes to teach character education. Now, I have an environment that is what my students wanted. My students wanted a comfortable seat next to their favorite peers and they have it. I’ve gained so much more by doing this, I’ve gained student trust and appreciation. The students are comfortable with me and thankful for me. The students enjoy being in my classroom and by giving them the power of choice, I now have their undivided attention at all times. What else could you ask for? I want my students to be healthy and happy, a Flexible Seating Classroom cultivates an environment for better health and better education.
Things to Consider:
- Budget
- Space [vision multiple arrangements]
- Seating size [think of the age of students you have]
- Be thrifty and crafty [search yard/garage sales and thrift shops, spruce things up]
- Make a plan of implementation
- Put feelers out to administration and parents
- How you will allow choices
- Look for tables not being used in building and adjust legs to wanted height
- Ask parents if they have unused items to donate or money
So, that’s a wrap! I hope you find this post about Flexible Seating inspirational and helpful!
I am so interested in moving this direction! What will you do for seating during state testing?
I am lucky that my partner is the Gifted Specialist. So I assess my whole HR class in her room in a regular setting. In return she tests small groups, so I just bring in chairs and we use my regular height seating areas to spread out the small group of kids:-) Works perfectly for us!
On that note, I’m hoping in years to come it doesn’t matter how a child is sitting for a state assessment. They assess with me all year long in that manner and everything is great!
What do you do with all your students’ stuff that would normally go in their desks?
We are mostly 1:1, so my students do keep a spiral in a cabinet but other than that they only have their computer and personal supplies!
Great site!
I love the idea of flexible seating. I’m trying to read/learn more about it. Right now I have stools and bean bags for students to use. Usually after the lesson, some with move around the room to work more comfortably.
My question is where do the students store their materials/supplies that would normally be in their desks?
Thank you
I have some large black cabinets that are there to replace not having a closet. I use those! But, with that being said it’s only for spirals. We are mostly online:-) My students keep their personal supplies at their seats with them. Hope that helps!
I hate to say it, but what about seating for the end of year tests? What is your plan? Will students still be allowed to sit around the room, or will there need to be a more traditional seating arrangement (desks/tables)?
It’s not a problem for me:-)
First, after talking with admin and going through the testing protocol, as long as students are separated and sitting at a desk/table it does not matter if they are sitting on a stool, chair, ball or anything else. No, the students are not allowed to sit on the floor, futon, butterfly chairs or video rockers.
Next, are assessments for Reading, Math and Science are computer based and all done on a rotation in the high-stakes testing lab. So those assessments are not done in HR classes. Only the state writing assessment. My partner teacher for Math & Science, has a regular classroom setting and is the gifted teacher as well. Therefore, I simply test all my kids in her classroom for writing and she tests small groups in my classroom at my tables with regular chairs.
So it’s not a problem for my situation and how we assess at my location. But, as long as my students are at desks/tables and not on the floor it works too.
The best thing to do in my opinion is talk to your admin / testing administrators about the logistics and rules. But, in the big picture it’s 1 day. A flexible seating environment is for the rest of the year and it’s researched based and the benefits out-way the cons. It’s all about creating a student-centered classroom!
I would never go back to a traditional classroom and I’m currently excited {along with my kids} about adding standing desks to our classroom as well!
I hope I could be of some help:-)
Love the post! My students currently uses popsicle sticks with their number on it to make their flexible seating choices…but I would love those magnetic tiles you have!! Where did you get them from? My quick Amazon search did me no good ๐
The magnetic numbers are from my attendance pack I purchased here, I just made an extra few sets to use for other things in my classroom > https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Attendance-and-Check-In-Board-2678873.
I too agree that I can’t imagine my little 5 year olds sitting in an uncomfortable chair all day .For that reason I implemented a blended learning style last year .My students rotate to learning stations every 20 min.They love it , they are always moving around the room .I really want to make the leap to alternative seating but I’m a bit nervous about it .Im not sure how it will work with productivity .I want the kids to still get their work done .
I understand, I was hesitant as well. But now, my kids get more done being comfortable then before. In fact, I do too. Maybe take one learning station at a time and change the seating in that station until everyone has had multiple attempts practicing the correct way to sit there. Then switch out seats at another and so on until you’ve got it how you want it.
It’s very simple is my classroom, you either sit right or you don’t use the comfy seating. I didn’t have any problems which was good. They want it as bad as you so they follow the rules:-)
Definitely demonstrate yourself as a lesson the proper way to sit and be really dramatic about the wrong way to sit:-)
Thank you .The idea of introducing one style of seating st a time sounds perfect
Michele, I’ve done alternate seating with 5 year olds and it works very well. These little guys would rather plop anywhere anyway so moving things around keeps them further engaged. I found that sitting kindergartners at desks had the opposite effect.
I also teach 5th grade and am working on writing a grant for flexible seating. I’ve done a lot of research and am ready to dive in. What size stability balls did you get for your students? Did you get varying sizes? I want to take into account what would best work for each student throughout the whole process.
I use the 5’3 and under height for my stability balls. They are all the same:-) Good luck!
Once they move their magnet and pick their spot do they have to stay there all day? Can they go sit at a different spot in the middle of the day? Where do you teach whole group instruction? I have created a donors choose page, does it usually take a awhile for the project to be funded?
Thanks! Love your blog:)
For my classroom it works best to pick a new seat each week. My classes line up in line order and I call them in the classroom by their number to pick a seat and unpack at the beginning of each week. So for example, if #1 goes first, then next week that student goes last and #2 goes. We go through the order a few times so everyone gets a chance to pick first.
I have a large carpet with my chair and easel by my smart-board, I do traditional whole group lessons and the kids meet me up there. The seating options are in other places in the room.
I have done a handful of DonorsChoose projects. It depends on how well you get it out there, use all their options to spread the word. It also depends on how much you go for and for the time of year. I usually make projects and don’t let them go live until there is a promotion like the match or something. I also do things through the school year and share with my parents b/c it’s for their kids!
Hope that helps! Thank you!
That helps a lot thanks for the reply! So when they pick their spot for the week do they have to stay at that same spot all week? For example, if they choose to use the stability balls do they have to use that all week?
Thanks!
In my room yes! I have 2 hour blocks so I cannot afford to move frequently like most do. However, if there is an open seat and they want to change I allow them to do so. In fact, the kids don’t seem to mind at all. They enjoy their time trying out new spots weekly throughout the entire year.
At our school the students eat in the classroom. Do you have any advice for that?
No they do not! I really don’t know, I definitely do not like eating in the classroom other than a snack.
Do you have a preference between the stools you purchased from Ikea and the ones from Amazon? It seems the Ikea stools are cheaper so I wondered if your students preferred one type of stool over another. I’m hoping to move to flexible seating with my 6th graders this year (I need to approach my admin to get the go ahead and that scares me haha) so I’m trying to gather things here and there! Loved your post!
I love all stools but the Amazon stools seem to be sturdier for the larger kids. I always believe (in most cases) you get what you pay for!
Can you walk me through what a math lesson would look like in your class? Do you do whole group direct instruction? Do you do a few small group lessons? What do the others do if you are with a small group? What about language arts lessons? Thanks for letting me pick your brain. ๐
I do not teach Math, I’m an ELA teacher. But Math Workshop is the same set up, Mini-Lesson which includes model, shared or interactive, then independent time with small groups and a variety of practice applications and finish with a closing.
For ELA yes I do at least 2 reading small groups a day with 5-8 reading conferences during the work period. My students are participating in 1:1 digital applications, independent reading and other tasks. For Art, my students attend Art.
Hope that helps!
Where did you get the number magnets that students use to show where they are sitting? I’m searching for something similar to use in my room! I’ve used bottle cap magnets in the past but they’re always falling off my board!
I made extra sets of number from my Attendance Board Pack from Ladybug’s Teacher Files here > https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Attendance-and-Check-In-Board-2678873
Dianna, thanks for such a great resource! I started using balance balls in my classroom three years ago and decided to make the big move this year to flex seating. I seat up a DonorsChoose project and got total funding right before school started this year. I am so excited! We are receiving materials and getting the room ready to flex-out! I am curious as to where you go the numbers you use on your board, Did you make them or purchase them? Thank you!
I made extra sets of number from my Attendance Board Pack from Ladybug’s Teacher Files here > https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Attendance-and-Check-In-Board-2678873
Where do you get your number magnets?
I made extra sets of number from my Attendance Board Pack from Ladybug’s Teacher Files here > https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Attendance-and-Check-In-Board-2678873
Hi Dianna,
Thanks so much for sharing your ideas. I too want to go 100% flexible seating. I have lots of flexible seating options in my classroom, but still also have many regular chairs and tables (no desks). I have a couple questions for you — Need advice about:
1. I have 34 students and it is tough to fit all the furniture in the room. Do you recommend getting rid of some of the tables to make room for the other flexible seating options? If so, what do I do when testing comes around. I saw your previous replies to this question. I am not able to send my students to another room.
2. What happens when a student gets bored or is uncomfortable using the flexible seating choice they have for the whole week? You mentioned that you only have students for 2 hr blocks at a time. I have them all day, every day. Is asking them to stay in one of the options for 7 hours/day, for all 5 days, too much? If it is, how would you recommend changing the choices around?
3. Ideally, flexible seating is supposed to be about students making the best choice for themselves that helps them maximize their learning and productivity, while being comfortable and having fun. If the students top choices for flexible seating were all taken by other students, isn’t it counterproductive to make them choose from options they don’t like?
I would really appreciate your ideas and look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks!
Karen
Hey Karen!
1) I would check with admin on state testing rules. You might be surprised with what it says explicitly and doesn’t say at all. I find I fit more available seating choices in my room than I would desks with chairs. I currently have 4 tables with flexible seating choices and the other areas are choices without tables.
2) Find what fits best for your students and you. Some teachers change each day and some change every other day. See what is manageable. Fortunately, I’ve never had a student want to trade seats for a seat already taken. Once in a while a student makes a choice to move to an available option though.
3) I agree, fortunately my students always seem to have a top 2 or 3 spot they like and can always sit there. I feel like after the first quarter of school students know where they want to be and don’t. With that being said it always seems to work itself out and never involves me. I haven’t had any issues.
I think experimenting and laying the foundation is where to start and let the students find their favorite spots!
Hello. I’m wanting to make the move from traditional desks/seating to flexible seating. However, most things I’m reading are for self-contained classrooms. Would you be able to point me to resources to read for middle school classes/50 minute classes. I teach 5th grades students … two subjects (plus an elective) and see approximately 135 students everyday. I need implementation ideas and logistics. It is sometimes challenging trying to take these wonderful ideas that work great for a self-contained classroom and make them work for a middle school setting. Thanks.