topic Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"? in Community Chat

Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Mellie32 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:42:56 GMT

Alternative seating in a classroom is where the teacher sets up the classroom where students either have a seat that's different from the traditional chair or they can choose from many different kinds of seats. These seats could be regular chairs, bean bags, pillows on the floor, exercise balls, etc. They say that this creates an environment where students are more comfortable and more likely to pay attention.

Your thoughts?

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Isobel Archer — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:44:55 GMT

I don't know. Theories are great, but what are the actual results? That would impact my view on it.

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Laura14 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:45:11 GMT

I actually did that during my student teaching days and it did work with the kids actually fully engaged in what I asked them to do. The lead teacher returned and had a fit and that was the end of it. I guess I was 15 years ahead of my time.

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Mellie32 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:46:03 GMT

@Laura14 wrote:
I actually did that during my student teaching days and it did work with the kids actually fully engaged in what I asked them to do. The lead teacher returned and had a fit and that was the end of it. I guess I was 15 years ahead of my time.

Why didn't she know during your student teaching?

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Mellie32 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:46:59 GMT

@Isobel Archer wrote:
I don't know. Theories are great, but what are the actual results? That would impact my view on it.

I think, with anything, it depends on how the teacher manages it.

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Laura14 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:51:04 GMT

@Mellie32 wrote:
@Laura14 wrote:
I actually did that during my student teaching days and it did work with the kids actually fully engaged in what I asked them to do. The lead teacher returned and had a fit and that was the end of it. I guess I was 15 years ahead of my time.
Why didn't she know during your student teaching?

@Mellie32 It was a very strict school and the teacher had been around forever so stuck in her ways probably.

I remember the school was so under wraps that one of the other teachers remarked that she was waiting for the manual on how to correctly go the bathroom in the building because she was sure that was coming.

BTW, I was teaching 2nd grade for which I think this is appropriate. No way this works once the kids become aware of each other and themselves in the older grades. Separation and structure at that point is a good thing!

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

CANDLEQUEEN — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:50:27 GMT

I don't know, I could see this being a good thing. I wonder what age they would start it?

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Mellie32 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:52:13 GMT

@Laura14 wrote:
@Mellie32 wrote:
@Laura14 wrote:
I actually did that during my student teaching days and it did work with the kids actually fully engaged in what I asked them to do. The lead teacher returned and had a fit and that was the end of it. I guess I was 15 years ahead of my time.
Why didn't she know during your student teaching?
@Mellie32 It was a very strict school and the teacher had been around forever so stuck in her ways probably.

I remember the school was so under wraps that one of the other teachers remarked that she was waiting for the manual on how to correctly go the bathroom in the building because she was sure that was coming.

BTW, I was teaching 2nd grade for which I think this is appropriate. No way this works once the kids become aware of each other and themselves in the older grades. Separation and structure at that point is a good thing!

No, I mean -- you said "when she returned and had a fit" --- she wasn't there the whole time knowing that you had put alternative seating in the classroom?

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

tansy — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:53:32 GMT

Won't the kids fight over the more fun seats?

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

WenGirl42 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:55:29 GMT

My initial impression is that it could cause more problems than it helps solve (seems like it would make it harder for them to pay attention, not easier...and what if one kid hogs the "good" bean bag chair, etc.) I'd be curious to read about results and experiences in classrooms where it's been done.

ETA: Something else that occurs to me is that one of the things kids need to learn and have "enforced" in school is good posture, and this would not be helpful for that at all.

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Laura14 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:53:59 GMT

@Mellie32 Oh sorry! No, she went on break and let me take over the class for a bit. When she returned and the kids were quietly doing their work in groups around the room, she returned everyone to their desks and said no more of that.

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Newgate — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:54:56 GMT

It might depend on the age of the children! I think there would be some seats that would be more popular and considered more fun to sit in! It would have to be carefully controlled to avoid some conflicts or those making a mad dash for their choice!!

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

maestra — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:55:59 GMT

When I taught 3rd grade I would use a variation of this during the school dAY. For middle school engaging kiddos in small group dynamics, hands-on activities, etc worked well.

Some classes are 'livelier' than others and of course, I had students who had to be redirected due to off-task or distracting behaviors.

All classroom instruction time was accounted for in my room.

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:58:54 GMT

@Mellie32 wrote:
Alternative seating in a classroom is where the teacher sets up the classroom where students either have a seat that's different from the traditional chair or they can choose from many different kinds of seats. These seats could be regular chairs, bean bags, pillows on the floor, exercise balls, etc. They say that this creates an environment where students are more comfortable and more likely to pay attention.

Your thoughts?

@Mellie32

Hmm .... a few thoughts .....

Did this come from an article you read .... or what? This looks like a setup in the lower grades when kids are small. I can't see tall gangly adolescents sprawling out on the floor.

Obviously, there was some experimenting with this along the way. The teachers' feedback would be interesting to read.

Just judging from the photo, it looks like this was a small classroom, with only about 14 seats for a student to choose from.

While students might prefer this some of the time, IMO, this can't be the only set up. What do the kids in the bean bag seats do when they need to take notes ... or a test?

If the kids in the bean bag seats were writing on something hard, like a clip board, the kids in the desks behind them could see their tests.

I also think there's nothing wrong with kids in rows of desks, learning the discipline of being seated in a typical classroom. I doubt colleges will adopt this relaxed seating style ... for many reasons. JMO

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Mellie32 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:59:15 GMT

@Laura14 wrote:
@Mellie32 Oh sorry! No, she went on break and let me take over the class for a bit. When she returned and the kids were quietly doing their work in groups around the room, she returned everyone to their desks and said no more of that.

Oooooh okay! I thought you meant you tried that for several days or weeks.

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Mellie32 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:00:35 GMT

@tansy wrote:
Won't the kids fight over the more fun seats?

Yep. I believe that's one problem.

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

RainCityWoman — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 18:43:15 GMT

In my 30 years of teaching, I have tried many different configurations for my 9th graders: desks in a huge half circle, desks in clusters of fours facing each other, desks in traditional rows, and yes, I did away with all the desks for a while and tried tables with four students per table in classrooms of 28 to 35. I eventually drifted back to traditional rows because for me and I think for my students, it was the least distracting. When we wanted to work in small groups, we moved the desks, but otherwise we had rows for structured learning and all class discussions and direct teaching of a concept. Sometimes everything old is new again, and throwing the baby out with the bath water is not always the best choice.

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Mellie32 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:03:45 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Mellie32 wrote:
Alternative seating in a classroom is where the teacher sets up the classroom where students either have a seat that's different from the traditional chair or they can choose from many different kinds of seats. These seats could be regular chairs, bean bags, pillows on the floor, exercise balls, etc. They say that this creates an environment where students are more comfortable and more likely to pay attention.

Your thoughts?

@Mellie32

Hmm .... a few thoughts .....

Did this come from an article you read .... or what? This looks like a setup in the lower grades when kids are small. I can't see tall gangly adolescents sprawling out on the floor.

Obviously, there was some experimenting with this along the way. The teachers' feedback would be interesting to read.

Just judging from the photo, it looks like this was a small classroom, with only about 14 seats for a student to choose from.

While students might prefer this some of the time, IMO, this can't be the only set up. What do the kids in the bean bag seats do when they need to take notes ... or a test?

If the kids in the bean bag seats were writing on something hard, like a clip board, the kids in the desks behind them could see their tests.

I also think there's nothing wrong with kids in rows of desks, learning the discipline of being seated in a typical classroom. I doubt colleges will adopt this relaxed seating style ... for many reasons. JMO

It's a google image of an early elementary classroom. This is the only set-up for chairs. There are classrooms that small. They choose their seat in the morning and do all of their work in that seat. I don't know how they would do testing. Kids that age don't take notes, but I imagine they do some worksheets and they'd probably use a clipboard or book to write on.

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

Annabellethecat66 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:27:17 GMT

Two words...."OPEN CLASSROOMS". I don't know what it meant in your town but where I live, it was tried and it was terrible! Everyone talking at the same time in a room. Teachers and students answering, etc.

They quickly went back to the 'old' way. I've been a Mother's helper all of the way through 3 daughter's school days. I've been a substitute teacher and bla bla.

Speaking from my experience and many of the teachers who are my dear friends.....many 'experiments don't work'.

I don't know about this. I just don't like the way they experiment with these children. I think in order to learn, to get into the right frame of mind, there needs to be an order of things (much like parenting). What does this bla bla have to do with the subject? I'd say I believe if you provide an atmosphere in the classroom where children are too 'comfortable' it doesn't promote the right mentality for learning.

I don't know about any of you but if I'm too comfortable all I want to do is relax and that doesn't include learning something that will stick with me.

Look, when you read a book for pleasure, you want to be comfortable and relaxed. You expect to remember the pleasure it gave you but as far as a bunch of specific information, ummmm....I don't think so much...kinda like...come and go.

However, when you are in a 'learning' frame of mind, you will sit (comfortably) but not relaxed in the same frame of mind the picture shows. One goes into a learning environment to learn, not to relax.

Just my opinion.

Re: Your thoughts on classroom "alternative seating"?

jaxs mom — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:28:27 GMT

I think it's funny that so many people are insecure with any change from what they knew growing up that they turn it into the default of acceptable and "normal".