• Meet the Authors
  • Write for Us
    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Classroom Freebies

  • PK-2 Freebies
  • 3-5 Freebies
  • 6-8 Freebies
  • 9-12 Freebies
  • Blog
  • Write for Us
  • About
  • Meet the Authors
You are here: Home / All Freebies / Flexible Seating In The Elementary Classroom

July 23, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Flexible Seating In The Elementary Classroom

All Freebies· PK-2

Have you been seeing all the buzz on social media about Flexible Seating? Are you ready to jump on the bandwagon and try this classroom management technique for yourself?

Well, I’m here to tell you that I started using flexible seating in my classroom a few years ago and don’t plan on ever going back to traditional seating.  Here are a few reasons why I love it so much!

#1 The Kids Love It!

Students love having choice. Let’s face it….kids don’t get lots of choices in their lives.  They are pretty much told what to do, when to do it and how to do it by adults in their lives.

flexible seating

So, when they are given the option of a choice in anything…what to eat, bedtime or where to sit in the classroom…they love it.  Students enjoy having the freedom to pick a seat that works for them in the classroom.  They feel more in charge and engaged in their learning.

flexible seating

 

 

#2 Some Kids Need To Move!

Have you ever had that student that just seemed to wiggle all day long? Sitting on their knees. Rocking in their chair. Rolling around on the carpet.

Have you found yourself telling that student to sit down, stop wiggling, stop moving….over and over….and they just don’t stop? That’s because they can’t stop.  They need to move.  Their little body just won’t stop no matter how hard they try.

Those are the kids that not only love flexible seating – they need it.  These are the students that will do well sitting on a yoga ball or a wobble stool. They will actually learn better if they are able to bounce or rock gently in their seat. Alternative seating choices give them that freedom.

flexible seating

#3  Parents love it too!

I have seen a huge decrease in behavior problems in my classroom since implementing flexible seating.  Those wiggly boys that used to get in trouble are more engaged and on task when they are able to move around while learning.

I am no longer yelling at kids for rocking in their chair or standing when they should be sitting.

Given the choice, students will sit next to other kids that they get along with and behavior problems decrease.  Some children want to sit alone while others like having a partner.

Parents like the fact that their kids are happier, more engaged and learning!

flexible seating

Making Good Choices

So how do kids know if they have chosen a good seat for themselves? We use a Flexible Seating Reflection Notebook.

At the end of each day, we meet and talk about our seating choices for that day.  The students answer questions like “Was it a good choice for you?”, “Were you able to stay on task and do your work?”, “Was there anything you didn’t like about that seat?”.

flexible seating notebook

When we are finished with our quick discussion, the students complete a page in their notebook.

flexible seating notebook

They mark their seating choice for the day, whether it was a good choice or not and write a few sentences telling how they felt about their seat.  They do this for about a week until they have had a chance to try out all the different seating choices in the classroom.

At the end of the week, students are free to choose any seat each day and are ready to begin their flexible seating journey for the year.

Would you like to try the Flexible Seating Reflection Notebook in your classroom? Grab your FREEBIE here!

Want more ideas to help you implement flexible seating in your classroom? Head on over to my blog, Firstieland,  for more ideas and reasons why you should give flexible seating a try!

FLEXIBLE SEATING

You Might Also Like:

  • Flexible Seating Freebie – Click and GET!Flexible Seating Freebie – Click and GET!
  • Rules for Your Classroom Behavior Management PlanRules for Your Classroom Behavior Management Plan
  • 5 Important Elementary Classroom Routines You Must Teach5 Important Elementary Classroom Routines You Must Teach
  • Free Time-Saving System For Making CopiesFree Time-Saving System For Making Copies

About Firstieland

Molly blogs for Firstieland and is an elementary teacher with over 30 years teaching experience. Her passion is helping teachers keep the FUN in their classrooms while saving them time. Check out her resources on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Blog - www.firstieland.com
TPT Store - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Firstieland

« Color Coded Number Chart 0-120
How to Write Successful Author Letters »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Pin Us!

Proud Member of:

PEN Group Online, Inc.

SPECIAL COPYRIGHT NOTE
This site is copyright protected. Nothing can be reposted on this site (excluding the button features) without written permission from the author. This includes writing, photographs, images, and downloads. This blog is a collaborative blog written by a group of individuals, and each author owns and is accountable for his/her postings. Disclosure: There may be affiliate links in this post. If you click through and make a purchase, the author may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. For questions about this blog, please use the contact form link located HERE.

*Privacy Policy*

Copyright © 2023 PEN Group Online, Inc.