Flexible Seating

Call to Adventure
     This year has been full of firsts for me: first time having a digital classroom; first time learning the basics of computer science; first time teaching digital citizenship; first time participating in Twitter chats; first time attending an EdTechTeam conference (which was also the first time I have been away from my husband overnight since we got together in 2014). From these firsts, I have grown to love the idea of adventure, taking a risk, and trying something new. I have loved stepping out of my comfort zone. Most of all, I have loved asking myself the question: If others can, why can’t I?

     This exact question is what propelled me to implement Flexible Seating in my classroom. I was speaking to an inspiring first grade teacher who has successfully used flexible seating in her classroom. The “dreamer-alert,” as we call it in my house, went off in my brain. If first graders can do it, why can’t my third graders? 

Questions, Worries, Doubts

     To be honest, I jumped. I asked the first grader teacher a million probing questions about her options and procedures. Within the next hour, I had set up my DonorsChoose.org account and had posted it to social media, begging wonderful humans to give to our classroom. 

     The next morning, the big, black anxiety monster reared his head. Aren’t you already taking on too many new things this year? How are you going to be able to enforce 8 sets of seating rules? Do you really have the withitness to monitor this kind of chaos? Can your class really handle all of this change? Classroom management isn’t your strength with chairs. How are you going to manage multiple options? Should you really be asking other people to fund your dreams? Are you a good enough teacher to make something this big work?

     These questions not only flashed across my mind, but also sat heavy on my chest. When speaking to my sensei, AKA my mom, she stopped me in the middle of my what-was-I-thinking rant and said, “Kelsey, this will make a difference in their lives. This is worth it.” 

     I began to think about my passion for teaching, my vision for my classroom, and my goals for my students and realized that this is something I sincerely wanted to do. Then, the words of Emma Watson blasted, full surround sound, in my head: If not you, who? If not now, when?

Pre-Game

     I decided to push my anxieties aside and just try it. Within a week, I had $485.00 worth of donations. Okay, I’ll admit, the majority of those donations were my mom, my dad, and my husband, BUT Donors Choose matched donations up to $50! I later found out that so many people shared my link through social media that people across town were talking about it! My largest donation was from a woman who was a childhood friend who truly believed in my cause. How inspiring is it that someone I haven’t spoken to in decades felt a calling to give to my students? My heart was filled with gratitude and humility. 

     Buying the materials is only half of the battle. Preparing my class for the changes to come was my next big leap. Let me tell you, my class prepared for this like flexible seating is an Olympic event. We discussed the changes that would happen and the strict expectations that come with it. I also decided to scaffold it - introduce one new furniture choice a week, and be a fully functioning flexible seating classroom by January. You know what they say about best-laid plans...

Implementation

     Week one, I dipped my toes in the water by taking away the seating chart. My students chose their seat every day, even if they were just chairs. This step was rocky, but we had long Come-to-Jesus meetings about personal best and choosing a learning seat instead of a fun seat. My students could perform my Personal Best Monologue the same way they know all of the words to the Baby Shark song. However, I think the message sank in by the end of the week. 

     Week two, I offered some small seating choices: the blue mats, crate-seats TJ and I made over the summer, and small exercise balls. I did not plan to add any other choices until the next week. With the powers at be, and the gift of Amazon Prime, all of my furniture was delivered by the Wednesday of week two. By the Thursday of week 2, my classroom had 7 seating choices, and 22 students eager to try ALL of them! 

     After the first five minutes of the first day, I realized that I had to create a seat choice system, otherwise my hair would be gray by May. I bought some $1 cookie sheets from Dollar Tree (Dolla Holla!) and a few packs of magnets. Have you seen me walking around with these cookie sheets? I’m sure by now, people are not surprised by my weird behavior--I mean, who else pins a picture of Justin Timberlake on her back and sings Bye Bye Bye down the hall? 

     As silly as this seems, this has SAVED  MY LIFE. On the 3-mile hike to our room every day, my superheroes collect their magnets. Before entering, students choose their seats so they have direction once they enter. This also serves as a mediator for any squabbles about seating, and gives students the power and independence to change their seating as needed. 

     With these procedures in place, as well as me repeating the expectations after every transition, I believe that flexible seating for my students has been a success so far! 

Reflection

     My advice so far? Whatever you do in your classroom, believe in it with your whole heart, and respect your students enough to communicate openly about your intentions and goals with a given procedure. The open communication has truly inspired my students to take full pride in our flexible seats (to the point that, when other students enter my room and mess with the seating choices, they get very upset). With anything you do in your classroom, trust yourself and trust your students. With that mutual respect and passion, anything is possible!