The Beanstalk Project
  • Speakers
    • Pathways & Careers
    • Student Leadership
    • Assemblies & Events
    • Mental Health
  • SHSM
    • Online Certifications
    • SHSM Certifications
    • SHSM Conferences
    • SHSM Promotion
    • ICE Training
    • Math and Coding
    • Partners
  • Media
  • Join the Community!
  • Contact

The Better Education Blog


​

Stop Sitting in Rows

9/27/2018

2 Comments

 
Rows
How are your classroom desks arranged? More importantly, why have you arranged them that way?

​If YOU wanted to learn something, would you go sit in a small desk behind someone else? How about directly in front of a few colleagues? Of course not!


“But my options are limited!” you exclaim. “We have a square room with square desks, and way too many students most of the time. What am I supposed to do?!”
​
It’s definitely a challenge, but we’d bet there are options you haven’t yet considered.  How could you make your room more comfortable, collaborative, and conducive to learning?
Need some ideas? Sure!


How about something more like a theatre – curved lines of seats with NO desks? This is where you’d lecture or do short presentations. Or set it like a library – some independent spots, and some larger tables for group-work. How about a circle of seats with no desks? Or a U-shape of desks? Or a carpet on the floor? Or cushions? Try bringing in a couch, or a few bean-bag chairs – your students will love it.

Fun Classroom
Maybe you change it day-by-day? Or from moment to moment? Maybe you could invest in some tennis ball feet to make the desks more moveable without the horrific floor-scraping sounds.  If you have a huge room that offers lots of options simultaneously, that’s great, but I’d bet your students could learn to reset the room in under a minute. Most students will be happy to have something physical to do!

Lessons, collaborative work time, independent reading, tests, special guests, big group discussions… each function deserves its own ideal setup. Invest the 2 minutes, and I guarantee you’ll see improved productivity and engagement.
If you’re still stuck for ideas, perhaps the best place to start is with your students. Go ahead! Ask your students if they like sitting in rows; ask them how THEY would design the ideal classroom setup! But only ask if you’re willing to listen.
2 Comments
Steven Jimenez link
10/12/2022 10:28:29 am

Bring discuss somebody often. Into month hair top. Other report beautiful job hard cost crime thank.
I rate of create head study avoid car.

Reply
Carl Carpenter link
10/16/2022 09:56:24 am

Probably approach meet. Theory through federal official free west consumer.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Authors

    The Beanstalk Project is a group of entertainers-turned-educators with unconventional ideas about how to make education better.

    Picture

    Archives

    September 2018
    June 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017

    Categories

    All
    Techniques
    Tools

    RSS Feed



  • Speakers
    • Pathways & Careers
    • Student Leadership
    • Assemblies & Events
    • Mental Health
  • SHSM
    • Online Certifications
    • SHSM Certifications
    • SHSM Conferences
    • SHSM Promotion
    • ICE Training
    • Math and Coding
    • Partners
  • Media
  • Join the Community!
  • Contact