#4thchat is a hashtag for teachers or anyone to talk about educational issues relating to 4th grade. Using #4thchat will create a network of 4th grade teachers or teachers working with 9-10 year olds across the world. We welcome anyone who 1. teaches 4th grade 2 .Works with 4th grade students and or 4th grade teachers 3. Likes 4th grade teachers (Groupies are encouraged).
Hi #4thchat friends! Excited to be here. Nancy from Mass. Of course we have to talk about the weather - little more snow on the way tonight - just an inch or so....but always fun.
#DaveWeek was great! Then I had a presentation I had to give to a cohort of principles Thursday, so this past weekend was the first time in weeks I could actually relax for a second. #4thchat
Considering I was awakened at 1am by the rodent we've been trying to be rid of -- and then stayed up until 3 am finishing a book, Monday was pretty good! #4thchat
i'm really looking to hear about the practical ideas of implementing #flexibleseating . i've read a few interesting articles but putting it into practice is another thing. #4thchat
A1: Though I do not have a classroom of my own, and have never had one, if I did I would probably start with something where I could see all their faces (to get to know them), then switch it up throughout the year, maybe pods for group work. #4thchat
#4thchat A1 I am in my second year of flexible seating. Tables, no desk. Variety of seating choices. Many many seating charts when not open. It's been great!
A1: Desks arranged in groups of four. Some bean bag seats and pillows for reading individual chairs that can be moved around as needed is my current arrangement. #4thchat
Hey, I'm Cris. I am also at IU majoring in Elementary Education. I'm interested in teaching 3rd or 4th grade and am excited to hear what this chat has to say! #4thchat
A1: Two rows of desks in semi circle. I’m in middle back row. Projector with doc cam. Count in back. Tables to side in back. Somehow desks up front in carpet. Traditional - I drive instruction (but I do it from amongst them). More couches soon. #4thchat
A1: we sit in small groups of 4 students, there is a library area with pillows and chairs for students to sit/lay on, a horseshoe table for small group, clipboards and pillows for kids to spread out order to work where they are comfy for Daily 5 #4thchat
A1 #4thchat If you like colors the same IKEA stools in colors: https://t.co/QipazmJo6W: Norwood Commercial Furniture NOR-AUH1200AC-SO Plastic Stack Stools 12" Height (Pack of 5): Industrial & Scientific https://t.co/jQaGMQGJaf
A1: I am currently a student, but have worked in different classroom settings for file experience. One 1st grade class had flexible seating with about 5 tables of different sizes and heights with different seating arrangements such as yoga balls. #4thchat
A2: I would consider it a seating chart with multiple options. Students my not like the spot they're in, and teachers might, or vice versa, but having different options ready to go is always an option. #4thchat
A1: When I had my class my students were placed in groups of 3 or 4. There was a space on a rug with 2 gaming chairs; lots of stools, I had an antique desk w/ cushioned chair; a couple of tables and some lamps. Tables had table cloths for a while. #4thchat
#4thchat A2 Students having choices in where to sit when doing independent work. This includes smaller groups and individually. w/o excluding students looking to join a group.
A2: I would consider flexible seating to be a classroom with a variety of options for students to find what seating arrangement is best for them and their performance #4thchat
A1: Although I currently do not have my own classroom; through my observations of other classrooms I like when the desks are in small groups with space for students to sit on the floor or in comfy chairs. A variety of seating options for the students. #4thchat
A2: Great question! From an inclusion POV, I immediately thought rocking chairs, ball chairs, wobble chairs, nubby cushions, etc. I have all of the above. Realized it's also non-established/permanent seating. Kinda difficult w/ some kids with LD/special needs #4thchat
A3: Anything kids have a choice in, empowers students and gets them ownership. Changing seats can keep them awake, comfortable, give them space, and physically set up for success! #4thchat
A3: Changing students' seating assignments gives them the opportunity to work with/get to know different students. Letting them choose where they want to sit helps them feel like they have a say in the classroom and it's not only run by you, the teacher. #4thchat
#4thchat A1 It has worked out. Some Ss like chairs, some like wobble, some like seat crates. Some like to switch it up. It's not been the issue I expected.
#4thchat Q3 Benefits could be the act of just getting up and moving, even a short distance. Benefits for student self-selecting could be allowing to determine what works best for them. Maybe one student works alone for reading but a small group for math. 1/2
A3: Benefits: give Ss a break from more exasperating classmates, and give others a chance to include those with sp. needs. Benefits of self-selecting, kids can be more productive/motivated #4thchat
#4thchat A1 Made 6 of these. File folder crate, plywood, cut foam, stable fabric over. Other cushions store inside of here. crate-seats.jpg (500×384) https://t.co/MAJnboboYP
Glad to hear it. Most likely because they know they can get there another day. #4thchat I used to have to assign my gaming chairs because they were so popular.
A2: Flexible seating is a seating arrangement that allows students to sit in a variety of different chairs, balls, cushions, couches, ect. The idea is to create a more comfortable environment that helps students be their best learning selves. #4thchat
I wouldn't trade a single one- they are so incredible sweet and hard working! We do all we can to work together! I allow the kids to decide as much as I possibly can! #4thchat
A3: Changing where the student sits benefits them because they can move around and find where they feel comfortable and in what seating arrangement they perform best. #4thchat
#4thchat A1 Ss have no desk, no storage there. One bin for ELA/Social another for math. Have not spent ANY time this year "cleaning" desks. https://t.co/QipazmrNfo : Storex Book Bins, 11-Inch, Assorted Colors, 30 Bins (STX70105U06C) : Office Products https://t.co/654y70t0UB
A2: Flexible seating is when students can come into the classroom each day and choose where they sit. While this often results in a lot of students sitting in the same spots each day, they can sit with their friends this way, sometimes resulting in lowered concentration. #4thchat
A4 #4thchat Ss have a starting table that we assign at the end of the day. Then whole group (carpet) and pairs, trios, quads, etc. is randomly assigned for each activity. So many groupings.
a3: the benefits of changing where students sit is it makes the students learn how to work with others. The benefits of Ss self selecting is they have to learn self control if they decide they want to sit with their friends #4thchat
Some more than others. It is becoming more popular now. I think we see the need to get these kids learning in different environments. A far cry from when I was growing up sitting in a row alphabetically... #4thchat
A4: because some of my Ss are a little sensitive to too much change, I change it about every 3 months. But give them heads-up that it's happening. Sometimes, finding right combos is like solving an LSAT problem... #4thchat
#4thchat Q5 Biggest concern substitute logistics? What do you do on days when you are absent from classroom? Too much socialization and not enough on topic conversations.
A5: some Ss may feel left out, and not have someone choose to sit with them, also some Ss are just not productive when with each other all the time, so depends on the activity and the Ss #4thchat
A1: i have 28 students in my class and they sit in groups of 4. desks are arranged so that almost no one has their back to the teacher.
i also have two large tables that students can work at (although that isnt happening right now) #4thchat
#4thchat Check out flippity random name seating chart. I do a new seating chart for home spaces DAILY. No more excel. Click refresh until you get a chart you like. Takes seconds.
Last year, I had a student who liked to stand to work. We had bed stilts for her to raise her desk on. A little cumbersome, but flexible enough for when needed. #4thchat
A3: Changing where students sit is important for students who are more prone to drama. (In my opinion, 3rd-7th grades) Older than that they start learning how to sit with their friends and where best to sit. However, teacher intervention may still be needed sometimes. #4thchat
Your room looks sooo spacious & inviting! Love that you have students involved in designing. (BTW - just thinking about you the other day & wondered how you were doing. Glad to see you here!). #4thchat
A3: Classroom arrangement; from a students’ point of view, symbolizes their personality. Attention span, concentration, comprehension and the retaining of information can be influenced by where the student chooses to sit. #4thchat
Sounds pretty cool. I’ve used flipping for Jeopardy but never as a seat selector. Just made a copy of the file. Will definitely check out, thx. #4thchat
A5: I think for me is the time it would take for me to figure out how to store their supplies. Do i assign them materials that they have to grab every morning or only give them certain things that they would need? i feel like grabbing their materials would take to long #4thchat
A3: Benefits of changing seating is students get to know their classmates better. Gives them a chance to be near different people. Self selecting can be tricky - students learn self control. #4thchat (It might be hard not to sit next to a buddy everyday!).
I would definitely work better standing up. Right now the kids use 4 dictionaries or a science tub so they can stand. I am dying to get these: https://t.co/nWkBMzg7V6#4thchat
In reply to
@ncarroll24, @ginakiyuna, @educbiniguez, @plnaugle
I'm starting to think I could do self-selecting more often if I give them guidelines similar to how we have it for #Daily5: must choose a place where you will work well, must choose to sit near someone who will not distract you vice/versa, & teach mindfulness with it #4thchat
A4: I tried to change seating every 3 weeks or so. But I see one of my colleagues (@SuzanneGalvin6 ) do it EVERYDAY. Ss self select - works amazingly well. #4thchat
A4: When I have my own classroom one day I plan to change the student's seating arrangements every month or so; this also depends on the personality of my class as a whole and classroom productivity. #4thchat
Q4: I would want to change up the seating every 4-5 weeks so that I could change it at the middle and end of the quarter. (Assuming my future school runs on quarters.) #4thchat
A6 #4thchat You have to build movement transitions into your routines. I try to think about what materials Ss need next, where they should be, indep. partner. etc. So you have to have a variety of intentional learning going on. Flexible seating by itself doesn't fix anything.
A6: I would like to share research about flexible seating with parents and admin to gain support and then feedback after we give it a go. Financial support from admin would also be great. #4thchat
A6: The support i would need from Admin is just support in what im trying to do. for the parents it would be for them to understand this is a process and something we are trying to help students lean better #4thchat
A6: have parents helping to front-load Ss to prepare them for change, and how to deal when sitting next to someone they may not have chosen or get along with. Ts can front-load and prepare the of course, but helps if parents can talk with Ss too. #4thchat
A5: Concerns about allowing students to self select their seating each day would be how this act may reinforce cliques within the classroom and students may choose seats that are not conducive to success. #4thchat
I like this idea! I think the random seat selector could help. Kids probably don't mind knowing their seats could be changed the following week. #4thchat
A4: I would want to change up the seating every 4-5 weeks so that I could change it at the middle and end of the quarter. (Assuming my future school runs on quarters.) #4thchat
A7: If admin and parents support the idea, their could be good funding. The teacher I worked with started a go fund me page and got lots of support #4thchat
Kids come in and self select. Has to be somewhere different than day before. She doesn't have any desks. All diff options from low to high seating. Supplies in cubbies & other. #4thchat It's amazing how it works so well. #4thchat
A5 #4thchat I use Flippity to determine who you work with. You determine where you work. If that doesn't work you work by me while I help people. Who and where can be separated.
A5: I would be concerned about groups of students taking advantage of this seating and always sitting with their friends or not paying attention. #4thchat
This is awesome! Probably best to play around with it on my laptop not iPhone. Totally get the idea now, love the options. Will definitely explore! #4thchat
A8: Yes. Rules are always important. Ss can have flexible seating, but rules in the classroom and in respect of the seating should be enforced. #4thchat
A6: I would need some general information about the student. Whether they have been in any trouble or if they are good friends with another student. I would also want to know if they tend to be more outspoken or stay more reserved. #4thchat
#4thchat Q8. Some rules. Conversations should be on topic conversations. Work needs to be completed. All students are welcome to join any group where there is room if there is a limited number of seats in an area.
A8: For my classroom and pop of Ss, ABSOLUTELY! Some Ss are still learning to read social cues. Constant change can be hard, but good way to learn flexibility, and this is a great way. Rules help to add structure when there is not clear physical structure #4thchat
#4thchat I like that I didn't do the whole room in one seating style. I have Ss who work well and love yoga balls. Seeing the bouncing drives me a bit crazy, but they are learning/working. I have 4 yoga balls max for that reason.
A8: I make a few very vague rules (respect the space, others). Amazing how kids know what you mean. I can always be more specific with those who need it. #4thchat
A6: I would first create a proposal that included the benefits of a flexible seating arrangement and the research behind the concept. This proposal would be presented to both the parents and admin; feedback would be encouraged. #4thchat
A9: is this like going into an elevator and facing the back? I guess sit in a different place? or if leading staff mtg, stand in a different place? #4thchat
#4thchat I have the students put the yoga balls on a carpet sample (I have tile floors) otherwise I get this low almost thunder noise. Yoga balls are my challenge. Good for those Ss that need to move and engage core muscles.
A9: Oh my! I can't predict what would happen if we encouraged flexible seating at a staff meeting. But we do have one guy teacher who always brings a camping chair!! #4thchat
Excellent point, @MarkNechanicky . It's about the learning that is happening. Some seating arrangements are better for different types of learning situations. #4thchat
A6 #4thchat You have to build movement transitions into your routines. I try to think about what materials Ss need next, where they should be, indep. partner. etc. So you have to have a variety of intentional learning going on. Flexible seating by itself doesn't fix anything.
A7: One of my elementary teachers had a marker that we could use on the desks. So rather than moving desks, students had the options to move their stuff. She made us pay rent and if we wanted to pay a lower rent for the week, we could go desk-less #4thchat
#4thchat Flexible seating has made me think more purposefully about the movement and how transitions flow in my room as they connect to the learning activity.
A8: Rules should be put into place with the understanding of all of your students. It helps if they can be involved in the rule making process, that way they're more apt to follow them. #4thchat
A8: Rules should always be put in place. If students are not cooperating or not paying attention there are always punishments. Learning is more important than social hour. #4thchat
Trust is key in all those areas. It even goes along with the students - they need to know you trust the to make good choices & they also need to know that they need to trust your decisions if students must be moved. #4thchat
#4thchat The key thing for flexible seating is that you don't go from a desks in rows or pods teacher one day to all out flexible guru the next. We piloted the book boxes with used cardboard magazine boxes to see if that was going to work.
I think this is where there would need to be some parameters. 1. You must sit somewhere different than day before. 2. Must sit next to someone different. 3. You must give up your seat if.... etc. #4thchat
