In Honor Of Preferential Seating

I have a student doing his observation hours in my classroom this week. He is an alum from my program, who had me as a teacher for two years, so he has a lot of personal recollections from his years in The Boardroom. Now, though, he has the ability—really the responsibility as a future teacher—to quiz me about my methods, my pedagogy, and just what makes my classroom run so smoothly.

He asked me about how to develop relationships with students, how to handle misbehaviors and poor attitudes, and the intricacies of dealing with overprotective parents. He asked great questions.

After a long silence, while he looked over my students working independently, he asked me about the living room. 

Yeah, we have a living room. In my classroom. It’s possibly larger than your living room at home, and has all new furniture. It even has its own library. And ottomans…plenty of ottomans. 

The Good Old Days

I’m not only “old school”, Boo Boo, I’m flat out old. 

Starting kindergarten in 1970, my education was significantly different from the education I am delivering to the youth today. As you know, the modern education system was designed during the Industrial Age in America, with the intent to prepare the youth in large metropolitan cities to work in the factories. It was strictly designed to give the children the information they needed to be acceptable, loyal workers for the mega-corporations of the time. The focus was absolutely not preparing students to move on to college, nor to make them informed about government or civic matters.

That’s why old schools look just a tiny bit like prisons. Lowest bidder using the easiest blueprint possible. 

So we sat, silent, in straight rows of individual desks. All I could see—being in the middle of the alphabet—were the braids of the kids in front of me. We weren’t expected—or even permitted—to talk to our neighbor, to collaborate or share information. 

It was minimal knowledge for the masses, who were expected to move into the factories in the same straight, silent lines.

Not really what we’re seeing in the classroom of the 2020’s.  

What’s More Common Now?

The average age of a main instructional school building in our country is 49 years. That is the average. My elementary school was built almost 70 years ago, and my high school first opened in 1915. That’s 109 years ago. Those schools are all in New Jersey, but my current high school in Las Vegas was built in 2010. Yup—it’s only 14 years old. 

But guess what? Most of the classrooms are the exact same 25 x 25 foot square, packed to the edges with student seating. While the buildings haven’t changed much in design, the insides look quite a bit different.

Rows Of Desks

Many classrooms in the country currently still have the traditional rows of single-seat desks. Lauded for their ability to separate students for testing purposes, the desks themselves have become smaller, lighter, and can easily be moved for differentiated seating.

Two-Person Tables

Much more popular—almost required in science classes—are the two person tables. Much better for collaboration or partner work, these tables are best used for two students, but in many overcrowded classrooms, up to four kids are sitting shoulder-to-shoulder at these tables. Lacking storage, the area around the students’ feet gets cluttered and becomes a tripping hazard.

Computer Labs

When we talk about modern technology, we get much deeper into dynamic seating. When I taught middle school, all computers faced the wall, which was boring as hell, but I could see all of their screens all the time. In a different building, I had rows of eight computers set on tables. Another school had clusters of four computers spread around the room. There is no end to the types of seating in a modern computer lab. 

What Is Alternative Seating?

The concept of alternative seating has taken hold in recent decades, due to the intent to differentiate all instruction to support the learning of each individual child. The thinking is that having non-traditional seating will give the instructor more latitude in how they deliver instruction, and what types of deliverables students can create from a more relaxed, casual group setting.

The theory is sound, and it’s wrapped up there with a bow. Unfortunately, most teachers are not taking advantage of the different instructional methods that thrive in different seating styles. Over and over, we see the “sage on the stage”, but this time they are droning on to students who are not sitting in perfect rows. 

What the heck difference does seating make if the instruction is the same old stuff?

I strongly encourage you to change your instruction to meet the specific needs of your demographic, using whatever methods will work for your group. While sometimes, you just have to lecture, I encourage you to change the seating in your room to accommodate for not only different learning styles, but different learning outcomes.

We aren’t in the Industrial Age anymore. 

What The Heck Is “Preferential” Seating?

I’ve taken this concept one step farther with preferential seating. 

I built a living room. In a corner of my classroom. 

Before you shake your head and stop reading, I’m not the first or only teacher to create a “homestyle” section of my classroom! People have been doing it in the elementary schools for as long as I can remember. Remember the “reading nook” in fourth grade? How about playing at the “kitchen table” in kindergarten? This isn’t that new of an idea.

I’ve just adapted it to Business Education…and kinda taken it to an extreme. 

What It Is

At its heart, it’s an area for kids, by kids, where they can work independently and enjoy some comfort and relaxation in their stressful day.

• It is a specific section of the room
• It is open to everyone at all times
• It is their responsibility to maintain

What It Isn’t

Most importantly, it belongs to everyone, but it isn’t a place to take for granted or avoid doing work.

• It isn’t a “hang out”
• It isn’t open to non-students
• You can’t put your feet on the couches!

Types Of Things To Consider

This would never work or be possible if I didn’t have the best of all situations: I’ve got responsive, relatively mature students and an administration that respects me, and (quite often) makes allowances for my methods. Most importantly, I have a fervent, passionate desire to deliver an education to my students better than what I received all those years ago. 

Probably the most important thing you can do before you introduce preferential seating is to gauge the maturity level and ability to work independently that your students demonstrate. If they can’t handle the smallest of privileges, this definitely isn’t for them. 

How Can You Afford That, Pat?

It all started with a futon…in a closet…forgotten…

My classroom had a futon when I moved in, and I thought it was great. So…I sort of built on that section of the room.

Grants

There is a strong body of research about the benefits of alternative seating for all types of learners, enough that you can make a case for purchasing some furniture with grant money. A little research, and a lot of explanation, could get you a couch or two for a corner of your room.

Your Budget

Hopefully, your administration is close to as great as mine, and would be open to alternative seating in your classroom. It certainly increased collaboration and group work for students to be sitting comfortably around a coffee table in my room. If your budget allows, start small with a couple of bean bag chairs, and watch the magic happen.

Donations

At the suggestion of my esteemed magnet coordinator, we reached out to our local furniture store, which netted us a beautiful throw rug for the living room! The kids freaked out when they saw it, and are very careful not to make any messes on it. All they can say is “no”, you know…

Donors Choose, etc.

My couches, arm chairs and ottomans have all come from Donors Choose projects. I was genuinely shocked when people started to read my rationale, and pony up cold hard cash to help make my dreams a reality. Don’t knock it until you try it!!!

We Have Rules, You Know…

You’re probably wondering how we actually make it work, aren’t you?

It’s an honor system, for sure. The “rules” are as follows:

• You must have an “A” in class right now
• You must complete the tasks/objectives for the day while you are sitting there
• You must be respectful of everyone in the room
• You can’t leave a mess of any kind

Last but in no way least: Seniors have priority at all times. I have senior interns several periods a day when I have juniors as students, and all interns have priority in the living room. They are seniors in positions of responsibility and service to the school. 

It’s the least I can do for them. 

So, Go Shopping

Try it, with just a couple of bean bag chairs and a cheap throw rug. It won’t take much room, but will be extremely meaningful to your students. 

You can’t sit there if you aren’t an “A” student…what better way to gently encourage kids to succeed than a comfy couch and a book on personal finance?

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS FAR!!!

Wow, thank you for reading about the classroom seating strategies!

Hey, since you’re here! You may as well check out part one, here, and learn about project based learning, here! Check out our other topics here! Either way, I appreciate you!

Please leave a COMMENT about any tips you may have!! Or comment what your favorite lesson of mine was! How’s your student organization operating?

Feel free to contact me or leave a COMMENT with anything you would like to hear more about! Or reach out with any unrelated questions, comments, concerns, or random outbursts of excitement by clicking here.

Oh! And don’t forget to check out my video series by CLICKING HERE!!!