This year I am working my seating arrangements a little differently than in the past. This will be the first class I have implemented this with, and couldn't think of a better bunch of kiddos to try it out with!
Like I explained in my back to school letter on flexible seating- my purpose behind it is for students to practice the power of choice. Our goal in all that we do, is to prepare our children and students to be independent and responsible adults. Well, when we think about it, no one tells us as adults how to sit when we study or do work. To be honest, most of the time when I write lesson plans I like to either sit on the couch or in my bed, with a nice hot cup of vanilla chai!! Now, I know I can't replicate that in the classroom, but I can at least give them an opportunity to be as comfortable as possible. You probably do not sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, I surly do not, therefore I do not expect my students to be able to do that! Kids need to move! It is in their nature! Many students I have met over the past four years have had ADHD and I am hoping with this type of seating, I can help them in the classroom setting. I want to help them not feel left out, or discouraged that they can't physically or mentally stand siting in one position at a desk all day long. My husband has ADHD and I see how it affects him, he tells me countless stories about his struggles from when he was in school. I want to take what he went through, learn from it, and change my classroom so that other kids do not have to experience what he went through.
As teachers, we are expected to differentiate instruction to meet student's on their level, why not differentiate their seating as well? We already know that not all kids learn the same, that is not a secret. So with spaces and places to sit, kneel, stand, lay, work in groups, work individually, I am hoping to meet all of those needs at one time!
To help make this implementation even more successful, you can try talking to your student about this seating. Discuss with them how they learn best. Ask them how they can use self monitoring skills to know if they are making the right seating choice, can they handle sitting by their friends for this activity, or is it distracting? What can they do if they find themselves in that situation? Help them find their inner voice to be confident in their choices so when they come to the classroom, they can put them into practice!
Click on the links below to read what other teachers and schools are doing with flexible seating!
https://flexibleseatinginclassrooms.wordpress.com/tag/why-flexible-seating/
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2015-10-01-why-the-21st-century-classroom-may-remind-you-of-starbucks
http://legacyelementary.blogspot.com/2016/02/all-in-on-flexible-seating-and-why-you.html
http://www.edutopia.org/practice/flexible-classrooms-providing-learning-environment-kids-need
I hope you and your student find this a pleasurable experience this year! I am always open to any suggestions, ideas, and of course donations!