NLGL Creative Synthesis
Emily St.Germain
North Carolina State University
Student Testimonials
"I love flexible seating because we get to sit in fun seats and we get to sit beside our friends."
Dazaria D.
"I like how flexible seating helps me focus because I like where I am sitting. My favorite chair is the rocking stools."
Berenice R.
"It helps me focus because sometimes I can use the balls to help me move around. The regular chairs you can't move.  I like that I can get my body moving.  That's why I like flexible seating. The other classrooms just have plain old chairs.  I think this class has more of an advantage."
Nicole P.
"I like flexible seating because when I am taking a test it is more relaxing and I can focus more."
Kathy M.
"I like the standing tables because it gives me space and I can stretch. Â I like the mats because I can relax. Â I do not like the other chairs because I fall off sometimes."
Noelle M.
"I would recommend flexible seating because it helps me focus on my work. Â The accordion chairs are my favorite. Â I would recommend this to teachers because it would help their students focus like I did."
G'mari R.
Choice in Seating
Have you ever thought about having your students choose where to sit in the classroom? Do you have some students who can't seem to sit still? Flexible seating is a great way to keep kids engaged in lessons and be comfortable while they are learning! In my classroom I allow my students to choose where they would like to sit every day. The picture shown is an actual picture of my classroom. They have the choice of yoga balls, accordion chairs, rocking stools, floor mats, and standing tables. Depending on how they are feeling for the day determines what type of seat they will choose. You can be creative in the ways that your students can sit!
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Here is how flexible seating works in my classroom. Every morning I have my students meet me in the front of the room. I switch which group of students get to choose their seats first (1-10 and 11-20) each day. The students are very good at not arguing about where they sit and tend to sit next to their friends. We discuss the rules of flexible seating and that they will be asked to move if they become distracted by their friends. During independent work, or centers, they are allowed to sit where they would like. It may not actually be where they started the day, but no one is possessive of their 'seats'. Your wiggly students may still move a bit, but the rocking chairs and standing desks give them the ability to do this without distracting others.
Overall, I really enjoy using flexible seating. The students tend to stay on the majority of the time and pay more attention to lessons. There are difficulties, but the positive aspects outweigh the negatives. I highly recommend that teachers try this type of seating in their classrooms.