The Truth About Flexible Seating--What It Is and What It Isn't

If you have been following my blog or social media (click here for my Instagram), you already know that I changed from traditional to flexible seating in my classroom this year.  It is something I have wanted to try for quite awhile and finally went for it!  I already blogged about how I made the switch for under $50 here.

Since flexible seating is creating quite the buzz in recent months, today I thought I would share my honest thoughts and review of how flexible seating is going in my classroom and why I chose make the switch.  I am here to tell you...

First off, I can honestly say I will never go back to traditional seating.  Flexible seating has revolutionized my classroom.  My students are more focused, on task, and their social skills have improved.  There is more a sense of community or 'family' in my classroom than ever before.

Since I made the switch, I have noticed flexible seating is starting to become the new 'trend' in classrooms.  While I love that so many people are trying this because I am a HUGE supporter of flexible seating, I don't like 'trends'.  Trendy refers to the fact that people are doing it just because they saw other people doing it and think it is the new 'cool' thing to do.  This causes people to just jump in without actually doing the research or knowing the 'why' behind it.

I had been researching flexible seating for about a year and a half before I implemented it in my classroom.  I was intrigued and wanted to know the research behind it, the benefits of it, and WHY these teachers felt it was best for their students.  I did not make the switch until knowing all of the facts and weighing the pros vs possible consequences/issues that may arise.  This way I was fully prepared and more likely to be successful. 

I also know that many of you may need to convince parents or administration of the change.  (Thankfully I did not have this problem--my principal trusts me to do what is best for my kids in my own classroom.)

So my first piece of advice if you are contemplating flexible seating in your classroom, is *please* research it first.  Here are a few great resources I found when doing my research:

Flexible Classrooms: Providing the Learning Environment That Students Need 
Rethinking the Classroom: Spaces Designed For Active and Engaged Learning and Teaching
Why The 21st Century Classroom May Remind You of Starbucks

There are many more wonderful resources out there as well that can be found through a simple Google search.

Now that you have done your research, you can truly decide if flexible seating is for you. 

For me personally, there were 2 main reasons I wanted to do flexible seating:

1.  The power of Student Choice. 

I have found that the more choice (aka 'power') I give to my students, the more I actually get in return.  This applies to anything, not just seating.

It also gives students a great responsibility.  Students have to figure out what is best for them rather than me telling them.  They figure out what spaces they work best in and what friends they work best around (or not around.)  They figure out whether they prefer to work in groups, pairs, or individually.  And the best part is they can change these choices throughout the day--for example, maybe they prefer a partner at a table for math but during reader's workshop they prefer to work alone while lying on a pillow.  We constantly reflect on their choices and what is best for them.  This is powerful--especially for a 5/6 year old to be so self-aware and reflective.

2.  For my classroom community

I wanted to create a space that lends itself to a more collaborative environment.  Taking out individual chairs/desks/tables does that.  Students are very comfortable working with anyone in our classroom.  They sit by/work with many different classmates throughout the day. 

I also want my students to walk in and feel comfortable--this is their home away from home after all.  I want them to feel they 'live' here too.  It is not just my (the teacher's) space--it is OUR classroom.  I want them to be relaxed, happy, and comfortable.  Are you comfortable sitting still and straight in a chair for 6-8 hours a day?  Me either and we are adults!  Think of how difficult that must be for a child who NEEDS to move!

We are wasting precious time fighting (or losing the fight to more accurately put it) children's need for movement and fidgeting.  My students can now relax and sit or stand how they are comfortable and put more energy and focus on their work, instead of wasting that energy trying to sit correctly in a chair while fighting the urge to move.


Now that we have talked about what flexible seating is and why I chose to do it, I want to address what it is NOT.

1.  Flexible seating is NOT buying a classroom set of stability balls (or something similar) to replace your chairs. 

Are stability balls a great flexible seating option?  Absolutely.  But notice the keyword: seating option.

Also notice that it is called Flexible Seating.  Flexible means options and choices.  Students are not told how/where to sit or work.  They are given several seating options and STUDENTS CHOOSE what is best for them.

Now does this mean all students will pick the perfect spot every time?  If you are a teacher, you know the answer to that is No Way Jose!  Just as with everything else in a classroom, flexible seating takes management and procedures.  Students will have to be taught how to do it.  But it can be done and it is SO worth it!!

2.  Flexible seating does NOT have to be uber (yes it's a word) expensive.  

Flexible Seating does NOT mean you need a thousand different expensive stools/couches/stability balls/etc.  As I explained in detail in this blog post, I spent less than $50 trying it in my classroom and ended up with plenty of seating options.

I already had crate seats and a classroom set of clipboards so I used those.  I also went through my house/garage and found a small coffee table I had inherited from my grandma that was perfect height for students to sit on the floor and work at.  The only things I purchased were inexpensive stools and pillows.  (Since then, though my principal bought me 2 Kore Wobble chairs--just because she is awesome!)   

Many students choose to stand while working, so they just pick a shelf (that I already had) to go work on top of.  I got rid of 2 of my rectangular tables, and lowered one (removed the legs) so that students could sit on the floor while working at it.  Here is a picture of my students working:

As you can see, there are students lying on the carpet, one at crate seats, some at the low tables, one standing working on top of a shelf....what you can't see to the left of the picture are a couple students sitting on stools working on top of a shelf, a couple more on crate seats at a trapezoid table, and a couple at a 'regular' table in 'regular' chairs.

Which brings me to my next point....

3.  Flexible seating does NOT mean getting rid of ALL traditional tables and chairs.

Again, the idea here is giving the students options.  Sitting at a 'regular' chair at a table/desk is an option.  And many of your students may choose it.  I left one rectangular table with 4 chairs at it and many students use it throughout the day.  It is simply one more seating option you already have!  (Therefore, no money spent!)

 
I hope this post has given you a better insight as to what flexible seating is and why it is so beneficial.  It is a simple change I made in my classroom that has had a major positive impact. 

I get many common questions from fellow teachers about flexible seating in my classroom.  I will be compiling a list of these questions along with my answers and posting that very soon.  If you have any questions you want answered in this future post, please list them in the comments and I will be sure to address them!