I have individual desks and flexible seating in my classroom. I have recently "retired" my red IKEA stools and only use them as rewards because students were leaning back in them too much, and I foresee them breaking. I lowered some desks for crate and floor seating. Desk sliding drove me crazy, as well... I didn't want to zip tie because I like to move them around, so I put masking tape on the floor. Even when we move them, students know to always put the desks on "the lines" at the end of class! 🙂
Some of my students HAVE to work at a desk...it's just where they function the best. I also have stools at my small group table, carpet squares, and a futon in my classroom. During reading workshop we have assigned reading spots (which they chose on their own) and many kids actually prefer to stay at their assigned seat. I do allow them to sit under their desks and even on TOP of their desks (as long as their feet remain on the chair for balance) and they think it's the greatest thing ever! We've even taken tests in these spots before. Novelty and change keeps them engaged!
Please keep making videos! You are such an inspiration. I was miserable my second year in college and was not happy in my major, I was only doing it because it would make me a lot of money when I graduated. I found your channel and started watching your videos seeing how happy you were being a teacher and it made me rethink my major. I decided to change my major four weeks before the end of my second year of college. I was half way done with college at this point. It was the best change for me. I'm working hard to graduate on time and then go to grad school for elementary education. Your videos inspire me and I learn a lot about the classroom. I will be spending time in the elementary school next semester and I can't wait. Your videos are so helpful and fun to watch.
I also had to change the seating in my classroom. I always like to experiment with the students every year, and they start the year sitting in groups of four. As time goes, we make arrangements to fit their personnalities and ways of studying... some prefer to sit alone, other prefer sitting in small groups, others prefer to sit near the window, others near my desk... I try to make this decision discussing with them. It is a process...
A Tale Dark and Grimm! I loved the way the narrator popped in and out of the story and addressed the readers directly. Parts of the story were a little gruesome for me, but on the whole I liked it. The author's aunt sings in chorus with me, and she had him sign a copy of his second book for me. :) I'm glad that you pulled back from flexible seating when it wasn't working for your classes. I know that my current group of fourth graders isn't ready for ready for full flexibility, so my goal is flexibility during certain times of day. It's reassuring to know that other teachers are in the same boat!
Love the new set up. looks great and sounds like it's working better for you and your kids. Yay! I, too, love Book Creator. It is such a great app. We use it a ton in my class, too. Have you heard of the book, The Land of Stories? Perfect for your fairy tale study. A similar concept to the Grimm book you're reading!
Thank you for being a channel that is always posting and being awesome. One question. Can you do a tour of your new room with all of the stiff in it? Thanks
+Ethan Hoffman - I look forward to doing another classroom tour but I don't feel like I have my room exactly how I want it yet. At some point I will 👍 Thank you for watching !
I will change my seating, too. At the beginning of first grade I always put them in front of the smart board. After a while I will put the tables into groups or in form of an U or an O ... we will see ;)
I've changed my seating a few times. I know flexible seating would not work for me so that wasn't an option, and I teach fifth grade. Anyway, I love Status of the Class. This is my first year implementing it and my students have read so many books so far. I take SOTC everyday but when I'm late getting to it, they remind me. haha. And, some have told me. I've never read a chapter book in my whole life. Now they're on book 8, 9, some even 10.
Hi if you're reading this well I love you and you are the best and I'm actually not a teacher I just want to be a teacher when I grow up I'm actually only eight
Aww. Thank you so much! Glad to hear you have a focus! Remember how you feel in your classes today. Use it to guide how you will become a teacher and reach your future students :) What motivates the students to do their best? Good luck!
The Lettered Classroom I know you weren't asking me but I'm 11 and I think what gets me motivated to work and do my is that our teacher give tickets to us for doing good and at the end of the week we get to have a drawing of 5 people who get to pick a prize (pencils, dollar store slim, Chinese handcuffs , ect.)
Okay, I have to say I love your classroom! It is so cozy. I do have a question though, do the kids argue or pout over who gets to sit on the yoga balls? lol.
I recently assigned seats as well. It's like having a whole new class! Love the new layout. I'm bummed that the flexible seating didn't work out. It seemed like an awesome idea! Would you recommend trying it?
Have you ever tried doing book rotations? I know some teachers do it by putting out books and then students have 10 minutes to read a bit of it, before switching to a different book.
Yes...it's like a book tasting. I do book trailers where I have a number of books set out and we read the back cover followed by RU-vid trailers for the books if available. It is a great interactive session to introduce new books!
Thank you for all of the great videos! I would like to ask for some advice, or suggestions from you or any of your wonderful followers. I too jumped into the flexible seating bandwagon and although it seemed to work at the beginning of the year with my very active first graders, the past few weeks have been very difficult. Behaviors that normally increase during this time of the year (Halloween, holidays) is normal but when you add stability balls and wobble stools it seems worse? So I'm wondering if anyone has done flexible seating long term and has any ideas on how to make it work? Or does it? I'm finding that most students behave better when they are sitting on chairs? I would love any tips, ideas? Thank you 😊
If I want to start a vlog for my classroom but wouldn't include students. Would there be anything I need to do ahead of time as far as covering my bottom?
I would put together a plan and talk to your principal about it. My principal knew I had a channel when I was hired. In fact, I put it in my file ;) Good luck and let me know when you get started!
The Lettered Classroom do you think they looked at your blog and your channel prior to you getting hired? Do you think that if they did that that's what sealed the deal? I think knowing the whole you is very important. Some people interview very well but you never know who they really are..
They absolutely knew about my RU-vid page and other social media. I also believe that it did help me land the interview. I'm not sure how much it affected my hiring, but it didn't hurt. :) RU-vid is a wonderful place to share, but it is also a lot of work ;)
