classroom seating assignment

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The secret to classroom seating arrangements – How to decide what’s right for you.

Deciding on a seating chart in your classroom can be a challenge. Who should sit together? Who MUST sit apart? However, before you can begin assigning seats in class, you must make the challenging decision about how to arrange the desks or tables. While it seems simple, there are so many different classroom seating arrangements to choose from and each has its own pros and cons. You’ve also got to take into account any flexible seating options you might have. So how do you decide the best seating arrangement for your classroom?

The reality is there is no single correct answer to the age-old question of how to best arrange your desks. Even when you try to find the research, it is difficult to find empirical evidence to support putting desks in rows, pairs, or table teams. So what’s a teacher to do?

How does your seating arrangement affect learning for students?

You probably aren’t surprised to read that the seating arrangement has an impact on student learning. Studies have shown that students who are in the front rows are typically more attentive than those in the back. They are more likely to ask questions and actively participate.

However, few elementary classrooms offer open seating, where students self-select their desk. Instead, we select students that need close proximity to maintain attention or get adequate support to sit in the front rows. Our goal is to improve those students’ time on task and learning through our consistent interaction.

While you probably already knew that front row seats encourage engagement, did you know that your seating arrangement has also been shown to impact how you communicate with your class and how they communicate with peers? This makes it critical that we create seating arrangements that align with our instructional goals and activities so we can maximize student learning.

The Pros & Cons of Common Classroom Layouts

As you begin to consider your seating chart for this year, check out the pros and cons of several popular classroom seating arrangements. Hopefully, this will help you decide what is right for you, your students, and your classroom.

Rows/ Traditional Seating

This arrangement likely needs little explanation. It was designed for a lecture, where students sit facing the instructor with their backs to one another.

Students in the front rows have the highest rates of engagement while back rows tend to be less engaged.

This style of seating can also be done on an angle, often called stadium seating. In this layout, the desks are in angled rows and may or may not touch.

Pros of Rows:

Rows work well if you have lots of space and there is little expectation for group or partner work at desks.

This set up also encourages less talking during instruction. With all students facing you, they are easily able to see the board.

Cons of Rows:

Most classrooms are not spacious, meaning that you’ll most likely need to do a modified version of this (like stadium seating) or choose a different seating arrangement.

Rows are not conducive to cooperative learning or group work, and they can be challenging when it comes to classroom management unless you have a small class. Once you have three or more rows, it can be challenging to see and keep all students on task.

These cons were a reason my classroom was very seldom in traditional rows outside of state testing. Occasionally, we would do modified rows or stadium seating if the group was having difficulties staying on task and listening. However, cooperative learning and discussion is a huge part of my teaching so the cons of this format majorly outweighed any benefits for me.

The pair arrangement can be done with desks or tables, and allows the teacher to move around the room between pairs.

Two students can sit at a single trapezoid table, if your classroom has tables instead of desks.

Alternatively, two desks can be pushed together to create a pair.

Pros of Paired Seating:

This is a great classroom seating arrangement for controlled conversations and partner work. Since you’ve selected the pairs, you can purposefully partner students who may work well together.

I loved using this arrangement later in the year, once I got to know my students and their personalities a little better because it allowed me to purposefully partner students in a way that allowed both partners to shine and lift one another up, academically. The partnerships often led to very rich discussions, which could then be shared in the larger class discussion.

This arrangement typically uses slightly less floor space than traditional rows, and it creates an environment where partnership and cooperative learning is expected.

Cons of Paired Seating:

Sitting in pairs also has some downsides. Since students are in partners, it can be more difficult to stop talking or off-task behavior. You may find that 1-2 students need to be “islands” and sit separated from a partner to do their best learning and maintain focus. Depending on how you present this, it can be stigmatizing for a student to have to sit alone.

I found that it was really important to explain why the student was becoming an island when I made this move. I also made sure to explain what he or she needed to do to become part of a pair again.

Depending on the parent, I also communicated this adjustment to parents to let them know why their child had been placed away from peers, making sure to discuss the benefits for their child and his or her learning rather than the idea of this being a punishment.

The arrangement also tends to still take up quite a bit of classroom space, so it can be difficult to pull off with large classes or in small rooms. You may also need to make a trio if you have an odd number of students.

Semi-circle or U-shape

This is a modification of a round-table format, where students and teachers share one large table area (or desk area) for discussion.

The traditional round-table arrangement is uncommon in classrooms due to the number of students and space needed to accommodate the arrangement. Therefore, it is not included in the layouts discussed.

For the semi-circle or u-shape arrangement, participants face each other, but the teacher has space to move around the room.

This arrangement has also been referred to as a horseshoe, and there is a modified version called the double horseshoe that involves an inner and outer semi-circle.

Pros of U-shape seating:

This layout is great for classrooms that want to encourage discussion between the students and teacher. Students can still see anything projected onto the board, which makes it great for classroom conversations.

The double horseshoe layout, which has the inner and outer semi-circles, offers a slightly more restricted format for conversation. This can be a good alternative if you need some additional control of student interaction or in cases where you have a large number of desks in a small space.

I loved the double horseshoe those years that I had a rambunxious group where several students were able to set off peers because I could still make sure the students were seated in a way that reduced their likelihood of interactions. I could also have the kiddos who needed extra support closer to the front without the distractions from the entire class.

Cons of U-shape seating:

There are several major cons to this arrangement, but there are also a few fixes that I will share. This was an arrangement I used in my room regularly, but I had to find some adjustments.

The U-shape format requires lots of room, which means most classrooms will need to use a double horseshoe layout to make this work. One negative of the double horseshoe is that students often turn around and get chatty with peers behind them.

One of the biggest cons of this arrangement, however, is that kids move! When they move their desks tend to move with them.

Since my students sat on yoga balls, this was likely a bigger issue in my class than I would’ve seen with traditional desks and chairs, but we were constantly having to push desks back into their U-shaped format. I occasionally debated about using zip-ties to keep the desks together, but never actually went that far.

Another con was the fact that it was harder to get to the students in the outer U when I did the double horseshoe format. I solved this by leaving a space in the center of each so I could quickly and easily access all of my students if they needed help or had questions during work times. Here’s what the layout looked like with that modification:

Table Groups

Finally, table groups are a common arrangement in many classrooms. Depending on how many students you have and whether you use desks or have tables in your room, you can create groups of 4-5 students.

Since this is one of the most common classroom layouts, I won’t spend too much time digging into what it looks like. Instead, let’s talk about the pros and cons of this classroom seating arrangement.

P ros of Table Groups:

This type of classroom seating arrangement is amazing for group work and cooperative learning.

This was typically how I started my school year because I wanted to encourage students to get to know one another.

This arrangement is great for large classes or small classrooms because it saves space.

By purposefully planning your groups, you can build upon student strengths and use the format as a part of your behavior management plan. Table points were a great way to build some friendly competition in my classroom, and they were great for encouraging on-task behavior.

Cons of Table Groups:

Remember how I mentioned that I liked to start the year in table groups? Well, we never stayed there for long. Here’s why –

This classroom seating arrangement is great for cooperative learning, but it is TERRIBLE for keeping talking to a minimum.

After the first few weeks, I typically had to move my students out of this arrangement because it was becoming a barrier to their learning.

Facing peers promotes off-task behavior for many students, and with groups, it can be challenging to separate behavior issues or chatty friends from one another. There are just too few places to keep them apart.

This is why I typically moved my students’ desks into a double horseshoe layout for the middle chunk of the year. As they matured we were able to transition back into groups or table teams (like below) to finish up the year.

The table teams were the closest I could come to a round-table format, and they really encouraged some interesting discussion. However, they were definitely much harder to manage.

How can I improve my classroom arrangement?

As you can see, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to a classroom seating arrangement. You’ve got to take into account a number of factors to find what is best for you.

There are so many variables to consider, and you don’t need to feel like a failure of groups don’t work for you. (This was a feeling I often struggled with when I reached the point that I needed to move my desks from the table groups they began the year in.)

Instead, consider your classroom layout as a piece of your classroom management system. You use different classroom seating arrangements to serve different purposes and to keep your classroom on-task and learning.

If you are like me, you see grouping as the ideal seating arrangement and feel like you’ve somehow failed when you’re not able to keep your students in groups and still keep everyone on task.  I’m giving you permission to let yourself off the hook.  Being a great teacher does NOT mean a one size fits all seating plan. Every year is different, and it’s okay for the seating plan to change as well.

That being said, here are some ways you can improve your classroom seating arrangement.

Align your classroom seating arrangement to the activities you use most often.

When you plan your classroom seating arrangement, consider the goals of your instruction and the activities you commonly use.

If you’re working through a unit that will have lots of whole group discussion, you may want to use a horseshoe or double horseshoe arrangement.

Working on some cooperative projects, table groups might be perfect!

There is no hard-and-fast rule about how often you should re-arrange your seating assignments, so you can make these adjustments as needed throughout the year. If your class is really on top of it, you can even practice transitioning between 2 different seating arrangements so your students can make a quick change to better meet the needs of the learning experience.

Take the classroom flow into account.

No matter how badly you might want to do a certain arrangement, if it impedes the flow of your classroom, it just isn’t going to work.

Make sure that you’ve got adequate space for any arrangement you decide to try. This means that desks aren’t too close to your small group space or classroom library.

It also means making sure you’re easily able to reach all students to address questions or needs.

Don’t be afraid to go your own way.

Consider a combination configuration if your classroom or students need it. By mixing and matching the arrangements described above you can find a way to meet the needs of all students.

There is no rule that says you can’t create your own layout, so don’t be afraid to play with your seating arrangement until you find a format that works for you. For example, the layout below is great if you have some students who are able to focus in groups, but others that need to fewer distractions or can only handle being partnered during instruction.

The reality of choosing a classroom seating arrangement

Your seating arrangement may seem like a small thing, but it is an important part of creating an effective classroom . Deciding on a good seating arrangement isn’t easy, and you might discover the great ideas you thought you had are a total mess. There are also so many factors that come into play with your decision.

For example, I once worked with a principal that dictated classroom set-up, right down to the seating arrangement.

While I strongly believe that your seating arrangement should be determined by the individual teacher based on personality, teaching style, and the needs of the current class, there was only so much I could do in that situation so we spent a lot of time out of our desks.

Seating arrangements can certainly be changed throughout the year as students become more independent, more comfortable with each other, or as the needs in your room change.

Some years my team had a running joke that if you wanted to find me, listen for the movement of desks because I strongly believe we should all play around with seating arrangements until we find the one that works best for our class. 

This might look different every few weeks as student friendships and maturity grow and change or we move into different units with new activities and goals. That’s okay!

I’ve rarely had students care about the fact that the seating arrangement is changing because I do my best to be upfront about the reasons for the change. Sometimes it is to increase focus or separate chatty friends. Other times I make moves to help students work with someone new.

Quite honestly, my more introverted students are relieved when they can have their own space to work in peace and quiet so many of my moves work out better for everyone in the end.

Don’t be afraid to get creative when it comes to classroom seating arrangements.

If you enjoyed this article, here are others you’ll love, too!

• Flexible Seating for Beginners – How to get started
• How to Identify the Perfect Classroom Seating Plan
• 20 Questions to Get Kids Talking & Build Classroom Community

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12 Classroom Seating Plans & Charts for Teachers

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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A teacher’s classroom seating plan reveals a lot about what they value in education. The ways desks are set up shows, primarily, how you want your students to interact.

When planning a classroom seating char, ask yourself questions like:

• Do you want small group interaction?
• Do you prioritize individual practice?
• Is a ‘stage’ for modeled teaching important to you?
• Do you need to accommodate wall plugs for computers?

So the reality is, there’s no perfect classroom seating plan. Different lessons, subject areas and age groups have different needs.

As Wannarka and Ruhl [1] argue:

“There is no single classroom seating arrangement that promotes positive behavioural and academic outcomes for all tasks, because the available research clearly indicates that the nature (i.e., interactive versus independent) of the task should dictate the arrangement.”

So in this article I want to walk through a range of classroom seating charts to get you thinking about how you’d want to set up your desks to get the most out of your students.

12 Classroom Seating Charts – Compared

1. the circle.

The circle plan has all the students facing one another in a whole group circle (see seating chart image).

Students can all see one another in this layout, with no one having their back to any other student. The teacher’s desk is usually on the outside looking in, although the teacher can sit at one of the seats around the circle if they wish.

• Equal Power Distribution – There is no ‘head’ of the table or ‘best’ seat in this seating plan. All students are an equal distance from the middle of the circle.
• All Students can see the Speaker – If one student is speaking, all other students will have that student in their eyesight. There is no need for students to crane their necks or look over their backs to see each other.
• Helps with Whole Class Discussions – All the students are members of one big group here, enabling some high quality whole group interactions.
• Teacher Positioning – Students will need to crane their neck to see the teacher’s desk or whiteboard.
• Access to Students – It’s also hard to access students’ work as you’re always behind them leaning over their shoulders.
• Hard to do Small Group Work – Whenever I’ve taught in classrooms like this, breaking off into small groups has been difficult. I’d prefer table groupings (discussed later) for small group classes.
• Open up the Middle – A good variation is to have a gap between desks so the teacher can walk into the middle area, which makes it very easy to go from student to student to help them out. This also makes the middle a good ‘presentation’ and ‘modelling’ staging area.

2. Table Groups

The table groups plan separates students out into a few small groups who can work with one another to complete their tasks. It’s very commonly found in elementary school classrooms, but it’s also my favorite seating plan in my college seminar groups.

Typically, students are seated in tables of between 4 and 8 students, but I find 6 to be the sweet spot.

• Social Interaction – Students can talk, debate and teach one another as they go about their work. As a social constructivist, I believe communication between students in the classroom can significantly help students to get through learning barriers.
• Resource Sharing – The teacher can place one resource in the middle of each group desk so students can share them between one another.
• Students Have their Backs to Teacher – When the teacher is presenting in the front of the classroom, some students will have to crane their necks. With small children, you can get them to sit at the front of the classroom when the teacher is talking.
• Cheating is Easy – If you’re worried about your students cheating, this might not be the best seating plan. Students are able to look straight ahead and see another student’s work.
• It’ll be Noisy – When students are looking at each other, talking is very natural. When it comes to quiet time, you really need to train your students to resist chatting.
• Don’t Underestimate it for Older Students – This layout is common in the early years. But as students get older, it gets less common. I find it’s great for all ages, though, so give it a go – no matter the age groups!

The table rows plan has all students facing forward and seated in rows, split in the middle with a walkway. It’s the most common seating arrangement I see in classrooms, but it’s also one I’m not particularly fond of.

This layout is best designed for teacher-centered instruction and discourages student interaction because students have only one student either side of them who they can talk to.

• Space Saver – It’also one of the most space saving layouts, which I assume is why many teachers use it. There’s not a big space in the middle of the class that’s wasted; rather, the whole class is filled with rows.
• Good for Presentations – When the teacher (or other students) are out the front of class, all the students are facing in the direction of the speaker.
• Minimizes Chatter – Students don’t have opportunities to talk to too many other students.
• Not Enough Social Interaction – Teachers often use this setup to minimize social interaction. You’re sending a message that individual work is your priority.
• Students Looking Through Heads – Sometimes you need to sit shorter students at the front of the class.
• Tight Squeeze – If the classroom is small, students find it hard to get down the rows to their seat without disturbing their peers.
• The Teaching Spot – Find a ‘teaching spot’ at the front of the classroom and train your students to go quiet and pay attention whenever you’re at your teaching spot.

4. Workstations

The workstations plan is a 21st Century teaching style that is very common in library spaces and universal design for learning classrooms. It involves different workstations around the classroom with different layouts – some social, some individual.

This plan allows students to work in ways that best match their learning style (or, more accurately, their learning preference ). A student who likes to work quietly can sit facing a wall. A student who likes to work in groups can sit in a table group, and so forth.

• Student Choice – Students can choose which workstation they’re most comfortable with.
• Social Learning – This classroom structure often leads to a buzzing, active classroom environment.
• Tech Integration – You can place computers at several workstations to more effectively integrate technology into the everyday life of the classroom.
• Resource Scarcity – It usually ends up being the case that students have a ‘favorite’ spot which everyone fights over.
• No Personal Space – Students don’t get one spot they can call their own.
• Noise – I’ve observed many classrooms with this structure that end up being unruly very fast. Ensure you maintain your control over the space.
• Explicitly Teach Independent Learning – Students need a lot of support at the beginning of the year to learn how to behave appropriately in this space. Independent learning and positive interdependent group work both need to be clearly modeled.

5. The Horseshoe

The horseshoe plan involves having all the desks in a wide U-shape, allowing for a lot of space in the middle of the classroom that acts as a stage for modeled teaching, performances and ‘fishbowl’ lessons. (See seating chart image).

The structure of this seating plan indicates the teacher values whole group instruction and modeled teaching, followed by individual learning. There are no small group break-out opportunities here.

• Large Stage – There’s a big area in the middle of the classroom for presentations, modeled teaching and demonstrations from guest speakers.
• All Students can See – Unlike the rows structure, in this classroom no student has to look over any other student’s head to see the front of the room.
• Teacher can see all Students – This is good for classroom management because students are always easy to see. It’s also great for helping students as you can walk across the open space to reach everyone’s desk easily.
• Not Space Efficient – Many classrooms end up needing to do an adaptation of the horseshoe shape in order to fit all the students in the room (see double-U seating chart below)
• Student Access is Hard – Some students have to walk around a lot of other students’ chairs to access their place, causing distractions in the classroom.
• Make the Most of the Stage – When doing demonstrations, you can place a table in the middle of the open space and have the students stand to get a good look.

6. The Double-U Horseshoe

The Double-U horseshoe seating plan is a variation of the horseshoe model above, but the middle section is filled with seats as well. This is a more common seating structure than the typical horseshoe because it’s more space efficient.

This structure is a practical and makeshift way of arranging the classroom, but does dilute many of the upsides of the horseshoe structure, making it less desirable in my opinion.

Often, teachers will choose to seat those students who misbehave the most in the inner horseshoe to ensure they have better oversight.

• Space Efficient – You can fit more students into this space than the traditional horseshoe seating chart model.
• Students all Face Same Direction – While the students at the sides may have to pivot a little, the students generally all face toward the center of the classroom.
• No Staging Area – You don’t have the large stage for modeled teaching that you would have in the traditional horseshoe model.
• Harder to Access Students – The students in the outer horseshoe are harder to access when there are two horseshoes in the class.
• Looking over Heads – The students in the outer horseshoe will also have to look over other students’ heads.
• Students who misbehave can sit in the inner horseshoe where they’re easier to see and manage.

7. Class Conference

The class conference plan is common in universities, but can be used in any educational setting. This plan involves having everyone sit around one large conference table.

In this arrangement, students can act as if they’re in the workplace or a corporate environment where they will need to participate in discussions as a whole group to come to conclusions. Everyone is facing one another which facilitates open discussion.

Usually you need the desks to be wide as well as long or else it becomes a corridor in which students aren’t able to see one another sufficiently.

• Mimics the Corporate Workplace – This seating chart can be used to help students see what it’s like in a true workplace. Bridging the gap between education and the workforce can be helpful for students to see the relevance of what they’re learning.
• Whole Group Discussion Encouraged – The open discussion format allows for good whole group interaction if you’ve got a group of students confident to speak up.
• Resource Sharing – You can place some resources in the middle and everyone can share them.
• Students not Facing a Board – There isn’t a front presentation area where the teacher can stand to do model ed instruction.
• Small Group Work is Difficult – It’s hard to break off and do small group work with this seating plan.
• Consider using this style once every now and then to mix things up, but I wouldn’t use it as my regular structure.

8. Exam Style

The exam style plan is what many of us may remember from our days in school. Students are seated at their own individual desks so they can’t see one another, can’t cheat, and can’t interact.

This setup is less and less common, but some teachers still do prefer it as it gives the teacher maximum control over their class. I remember my high school history teacher took this structure one step further by seating us all boy-girl boy-girl. He was old school!

• Teacher Control – There is a strong message being sent here that students should not interact with anyone but the teacher.
• Independence – Students are encouraged to learn in their own bubble, which can encourage independence . However in my opinion this can also cause stress for students who are struggling and want explanations from friends.
• No Social Interaction – I strongly believe children can be very good teachers of one another (even better than us adults at times!). This model can significantly impede student learning for those who need to talk things through with peers to learn.
• While this seating chart looks archaic, sometimes it’s good to get students used to this format before walking into standardized exams which will look just like this.

The pair up seating plan is an improvement on the exam style, but continues many of its features, such as having all students facing the teacher and board at the front and intentionally limiting social interaction (this time to one other student).

This style is also very similar to the ‘rows’ style, except that there is a gap ever 2nd seat. This gap does allow for greater access to seats and more free-flowing movement around the classroom. With a large enough classroom you can ensure each table is separated enough so that students in wheelchairs and other disabilities may benefit from this space because they will have greater access to the whole classroom and greater choice where to sit.

• Quiet Interaction Enabled – If you’re after a classroom that tolerates whispers but not a raucous riot, this might be good. Students can interact with one other student only, which is nice.
• Easy Movement – You can get around the desks easily to access students’ work
• Students face Forward – All students can see the teacher presentation at the front of the class and no one needs to strain their neck.
• Group work Hard – This seating chart isn’t designed for groups of students larger than 2.
• Minimal Activities Space – If you’ve got a large classroom, you might prefer to structure the tables so there’s open spaces for activities and experiments to take place.
• If you want students to work in groups of 4, get the front row to turn their desks around so they can talk to the students behind them as a group.

10. The Runway

The runway seating plan is similar to the horseshoe, but there is not a back row. One of the best features of this seating plan is it splits the class into two distinct groups. This allows for competitions and debates without too much change to the classroom environment.

I often find that this layout isn’t sufficient because the classroom needs to be long and thin for this layout to work (if you’ve got, say, 28 students in the class it can get hard to fit them all along the rows)

• Good for Debates – You can have the students on each side debating one another over topics.
• Activity Space – All students have clear unimpeded view of the central area where the teacher or other students can do presentations.
• Takes up Space – You need a large (or at least long) classroom for this format to work out.
• Small Group work Hard – I often find that I’ll split students into two groups for each row, but the student at one end of the row can’t interact with the student at the other end!

11. The Stadium

The stadium plan is a take on the ‘rows’ format that pivots students slightly so they don’t have to crane their necks to see the front of the classroom. In this sense, it’s potentially even more teacher-centered than the rows seating chart.

Teachers who like to have control over the class or do a large amount of presentation work might like this format. Similarly, teachers who use a lot of powerpoints or movies in the class could benefit from using this seating plan.

• Good for Student Vision – Students don’t have to crane their necks to see the front of the classroom.
• Opening for Presentations – You’ll find the front desks lean slightly away from the presentation area, allowing you more space to do modeling.
• Awkward – Beware that the students at the back row can often be squeezed into their space without room to get out, as they often end up hitting against the back wall. Similarly, students seem to find it hard to keep the tables in that row format. You’ll find them often rotating the tables so they’re square with the walls.
• Takes up Space – This seating chart takes up more space for a very similar end result than the square rows format.
• Change the classroom to this format when doing a unit of work that involves watching lots of movies.

12. The Computer Room

The computer room plan involves having all the desks facing the wall of the classroom, with student seats also placed so students are facing the wall. This would seem very odd except for the fact there are computers on all the desks for students to look at.

This seating chart is practical more than anything. Computers need to be plugged into the walls, and you don’t want cables all over the place for students to trip over.

As more and more schools move to laptops, this format is getting less common.

• Teacher can see Screens – At times, it can be a complete nightmare getting students to stop looking at their monitors and pay attention to the teacher’s instructions . In this format, you can see when students are misbehaving, and you can also ask students to fully rotate their chairs when you’re talking.
• Cords are Tucked Away – Students won’t trip on the cords.
• Students Facing Away – The students are pivoted to face away from the teacher.
• Not Space Efficient – There is a wide open space in the middle of the classroom that isn’t being utilized.
• Use laptops to avoid having to use this classroom seating chart style.

Ideally, we would be free to set up our classroom desks however we’d like. But when we compare our classroom seating chart to the room we’re given at the start of the teaching year … we realize it’s not always so easy.

There’s often not enough space, not enough desks, or even obstacles like pillars crossing through the classroom.

Hopefully this article has shown you a few creative ideas for setting up your classroom in a way that reflects your teaching philosophy !

[1] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/feb7/cf7bba74d5dadbd9a052d52eb6b4c2462cd3.pdf

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

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Classroom seating arrangements.

The physical configuration of a classroom is more than an organizational or stylistic choice by the instructor. In-person classroom seating arrangements affect student learning, motivation,  participation, and teacher-student and student-student relationships (Fernandes, Huang & Rinaldo 2011). In the virtual classroom space, such as real-time platforms like Zoom, instructional choices to employ engagement strategies and provide opportunities for feedback also have a positive impact on student learning outcomes (Francescucci and Rohani 2019). Below are specific strategies and examples to enhance student learning in a variety of classroom spaces.

In-Person Classroom Learning Spaces

An instructor can maximize student engagement by changing the physical setup of chairs, tables, and presentations in the classroom. Instructional communication theory suggests that seating arrangements can impact how the instructors communicate with students and how students interact with one another, impacting engagement, motivation, and focus (McCorskey and McVetta, 1978). More recent research suggests that the set-up of the classroom space shapes instructor pedagogy, choice of activities, and on-task student behavior. For example, a classroom with seating affixed and directed toward a podium at the front of the room results in instructors spending more time in lecture and students demonstrating less active engagement. In contrast,  roundtable seating arrangements lead to instructors and students engaging in more active learning activities, resulting in improved learning outcomes (Brooks 2012). Further studies demonstrate that students prefer more flexible seating arrangements (Harvey and Kenyon, 2013). In particular, students express a preference for classrooms with mobile vs. fixed chairs, and trapezoidal tables with chairs on casters vs. rectangular tables with immobile chairs.

In general, spaces designed in a student-centered manner, focusing on learner construction of knowledge and collaboration, can support student learning (Rands and Gansemer-Topf, 2017). In reality, many classrooms at colleges and universities have been built using more conventional models for lecture and seminar-type courses. Instructors can consider ways to modify seating arrangements and align those arrangements with the demands of classroom activities to maximize student learning. 

Figure 1: Six options for classroom seating arrangements

Traditional

The traditional lecture setup typically consists of rows of fixed seating. Students face the instructor with their backs to one another. This classroom seating arrangement is historically common in colleges and universities, minimizing student-student communication and largely supporting a “sage on the stage” learning environment. The highest communication interactions between professors and students typically occurs with students in the first row or along the middle of the classroom. Students in back rows are more likely to be less engaged.

Many seminar-course room arrangements may consist of an instructor and students sitting around a single large table. This seating arrangement can also be formed using individual desks. Students and instructors all face one another in this setup, which can support whole-class as well as partner dialogue.

Horseshoe or Semicircle

The horseshoe or semi-circle offers a modified roundtable setup, where all participants face each other while the instructor can move about the room. The horseshoe encourages discussion between students and with the instructor, although this setup tends to encourage more engagement between the instructor and students directly opposite, with slightly lesser amounts for students immediately adjacent to the instructor. A horseshoe setup can be particularly effective when the instructor wishes to project and discuss course-related material in the front of the class.

Double Horseshoe

This seating arrangement involves an inner and outer horseshoe, and similar to the conventional horseshoe, invites greater discussion than the traditional format. It is more limited by the backs of students within the inner circle facing students in the outer circle. However, students may also more easily interact with those nearest to them or turn around and face students behind them for group work.

Pods (Groups, Pairs)

The pod or pair arrangement can be designed with rectangular, circular or trapezoidal tables, or individual desks. With regards to stations, instructors can place several tables together to form student groups (e.g. 3 - 4 students), or pairs. This arrangement can be especially advantageous when students will work in groups or pairs with their classmates for a large portion of class time. More generally, this arrangement communicates a learning community where students are expected to work with one another.

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Align Arrangement with Activity

Instructors are encouraged to map the classroom seating arrangement to the goals of instruction. For instance, classes involving group work might utilize group pods, while whole class discussion might benefit from a horseshoe. Instructors can also strategically change arrangements during class to suit shifting learning goals.

Bolster Arrangement With Engagement

When dynamic change to seating arrangements proves difficult, instructors can bolster the physical space through intentional engagement . For example, in a typical horseshoe arrangement where students along the sides may experience less attention, an instructor may be more deliberate in their interactions with those particular learners. In a traditional classroom setup where the instructor cannot change the seating arrangements, they can maximize student engagement by implementing Think-Pair-Share or other active learning activities conducive to students working with a neighbor. They can also encourage student groups to work in other spaces of the classroom as needed (e.g. on the steps, front of the room, etc.).

Set Up Early

To the extent possible, an instructor can designate time for setting up the classroom and/or can ask students to help. If there is no class immediately before, this can be done prior to class, or alternatively during the first few minutes. Similar consideration should be given to resetting the room after class ends.

Virtual, Synchronous Learning Spaces

Students are engaged in synchronous online learning when effective interaction occurs among students and between the students and instructor (Watts 2016). There are a variety of Zoom features that can enhance student engagement when aligned with the instructor’s learning outcomes:

Gallery View : With the ability to display up to 49 squares on one screen, this view is optimal when an instructor wants to facilitate a synchronous discussion with all or most of the students.

Break-out Rooms : Instructors who want their students to work in small groups on a task, set of discussion questions, problem set, or lab may find break-out rooms particularly effective. Students may be added to breakout rooms manually, automatically from pre-assignment, or by self-selection. 

Share Screen : This feature is frequently used for a mini-lecture during a synchronous learning session, so that the instructor or a student presenting may share slides while talking through the disciplinary content. Instructors and students might also share and possibly collaborate on documents, programs or visuals, as well as interactive Zoom features, such as the whiteboard . 

Spotlighting : When an instructor has invited a guest speaker or a group of panelists, the spotlight feature in Zoom enables an instructor to feature up to nine people for students at the top of the gallery view. This feature also works well for student presentations.

Display names: Instructor and students can change their display name in Zoom to reflect the name they want to be called as well as their use of pronouns–enabling everyone in the learning space to personalize the experience. To change your display name in a live meeting, right click your video and click “Rename.” To change your name in all of your Zoom meetings, edit the name provided in your Zoom profile .

Given that many people experience Zoom fatigue, instructors might consider  designating specific times for cameras to be on or off during synchronous learning. Some students may need to opt out of camera use altogether for issues related to internet reliability and privacy in relation to the personal space from which they are participating.

Brooks, D. Christopher (2012). Space and Consequences: The Impact of Different Formal Learning Spaces on Instructor and Student Behavior. Journal of Learning Spaces, 1(2).

Fernandez, AC, Huang, J, and Rinaldo, V. (2011). Does Where a Student Sits Really Matter?–The Impact on Seating Locations on Student Classroom Learning. International Journal of Applied Educational Studies, 10(1).

Francescucci, A and Laila Rohani, L. Exclusively Synchronous Online (VIRI) Learning: The Impact on Student Performance and Engagement Outcomes. Journal of Marketing Education 2019, Vol. 41(1) 60–69.

Harvey EJ, Kenyon MC. (2013). Classroom Seating Considerations for 21st Century Students and Faculty. Journal of Learning Spaces, 2(1).

McCorskey JC and McVetta RW. (1978). Classroom Seating Arrangements: Instructional Communication Theory Versus Student Preferences. Communication Education, 27, 99-111.

Rands ML and Gansemer-Topf AN. (2017). The Room Itself is Active: How Classroom Design Impacts Student Engagement. Journal of Learning Spaces, 6(1).

Watts, L. (2016) Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication in Distance Learning: A Review of the Literature. Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 17(1), 23-32.

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19 Classroom seating arrangements fit for your teaching

Every lesson is different. There are many teaching methods for your lesson topics, so why not change your classroom interior based on your lesson? Sometimes, students have to work in groups, sometimes you give a presentation, sometimes you do some corner work. Every strategy needs an effective classroom arrangement.

In this post, I’ll show you 19 possible classroom seating arrangements. I’ll also mention the teaching methods that go with the arranged bench seating and at the end of this post, I added an interactive whiteboard with which you can create your own classroom seating chart.

19 types of seating arrangements for classrooms

Let’s start with one of the most used bench seating arrangements: Pairs. Pair up students and let them work individual or together. It’s more fun with two but still gives you a nice overview. In this way, students can get their heads together when needed. If they have to work individually, let’s say they have a test, you can place a binding folder between the students. Here, you can also easily divide your classroom into three columns of pairs. Ask, for example, the first column to answer question A, the second column to answer question B and the last column to answer question C. Go over the answers when they’ve finished. That way, you can speed up the classical work.

This seating arrangement is especially handy when testing your students or when you want them to work individually. They can’t talk to each other or let their eyes wander on someone else’s paper. I wouldn’t recommend this seating arrangement in your classroom all the time. Students could get demotivated as they have no-one to “whisper” to.

3. Presentation

Get your students seated next to each other on one line. Repeat this a few times if you have enough classroom space. The purpose is to let students listen to the one in front of the classroom. This can be the teacher, or a student giving a presentation or demonstration. Seating your students this way is a good idea when you want them to focus on the front of the classroom. All students should be able to see something and it’s easier for the one in the front to divide its attention and eye contact.

4. Groups of Four

Use small groups of four when you want your students to put their heads together. You can let them work on an assignment. You can also let them think about a question individually and ask them to deliberate with the other students in the group. Of course, just individual work is also possible. This seating arrangement just makes it a bit more social. When working with “groups of four” students get to sit with others all the time. They get to know each other better and make friends. This seating arrangement is a good idea to start the year.

5. Corner Work

When you’re working on a big project or teaching a comprehensive topic with different aspects or themes, this seating arrangement will do just fine. Assign different tasks to each corner. For example, a (digital) crossword riddle, a quiz, a video with questions, a whiteboard exercise, … All the assignments complete each other. Let your students shuffle so they’ve been to every corner and did every assignment. You can also use it to split up students with the same learning level. One corner where students get more instructions, the other has expansion exercises, one corner has noise-canceling headphones so students can concentrate, etc.

The U-shape or the horseshoe. This classroom arrangement encourages discussion and makes it easy for the teacher to observe students and give one-on-one help. Don’t use this desk arrangement for group work. This will be almost impossible.

7. Double U-shape

When you have more students or a smaller classroom, you can choose for the double U-shape arrangement. This allows you to put more students next to each other. It’s very cozy but has some disadvantages as well. For example, it’s harder for the teacher to go around in the classroom. One-on-one support is more or less off the table here. Students in the back might feel a bit left out as well. It’s best to use this arrangement when giving a presentation or when teaching in front of the classroom.

8. U-shape Large Classroom

You can see where I’m going here. Let’s say you have a large classroom and a lot of students, then you can definitely use this student desk arrangement. In contrast to the double u-shape arrangement, this u-shape for in a large classroom doesn’t really cast students out. There’s no separate “U” in the front, which makes it more open to the students in the back.

9. Conference Small Classroom

Are you teaching a small group of students? In that case, the conference classroom arrangement is a possibility. The “conference classroom” gives your students an “equal voice” and a snapshot of a business meeting room. Use the conference seating arrangement when making classroom rules, planning an event, for an intervention, a class discussion, etc. You can also practice speech (foreign language) by letting the students facing each other talk to each other. Let them switch places and move on to the next student in line and talk about another topic.

10. Conference Large Classroom

Don’t worry though, there’s a conference classroom layout for many students and a large classroom as well. Use this just like mentioned above. The only thing that’s not possible is letting students face each other and talk directly to them. Don’t use it for group work either.

11. Herringbone

This is used most of the time in higher education when students have to listen to the teacher in the front. Here, the teacher can’t give any one-on-one feedback as it’s hard to reach students in the middle. It’s a seating arrangement to get as many students in one classroom.

13. Computer Combination

Any of the other classroom seating arrangements work with portable devices like laptops, chromebooks or tablets. When you’re in a classroom with student desks and computers, you can use this classroom layout. It gives you an overview of your students’ computers.

14. Butterfly

This one is probably new to you. Let your students work individually, yet they sit together. This middle of the butterfly serves as a place where students go for extra instructions or a new assignment. Everything will be spread out on those desks in the middle. The teacher will be available to give more guidance when needed as well.

Use eye-formation when you’re setting up a debate or discussion. Select a group of students that will debate in the middle of the eye. The rest will be the audience.

The circle is a classic seating formation in which you encourage your students to join a classroom talk or discussion. It’s more or less the same as the conference classroom seating.

17. Large Groups

Split your classroom into two large groups. Let the groups work on bigger projects like organizing an event, putting together a play, setting up their own “company”, keep a political meeting with different representatives,etc. Keep in mind that it might get loud in your classroom.

18. Horseshoes

Use this classroom desk arrangement to encourage discussion in smaller groups. Introduce some bold statements or “problems” about your teaching topic and let your students discuss them in their groups (in a foreign language you’re teaching languages). Encourage your students to come to a consensus or a solution to the problem.

19. Banquet

Use this classroom seating layout for two things:

• Let students talk to the one facing them (discussion, practice a foreign language, get to know each other, etc.).
• Divide your classroom into two groups. Let them work together on bigger projects like in number 17. Let them organize an event, put together a play, set up their own “company”, etc.

Create your own classroom seating arrangement

I guess these are more or less all the possible classroom seating arrangements. Of course, you can make combinations of different classroom layouts and adapt them to your own classroom and available space. Use this basic lesson plan template with a whiteboard below. Use the stickers I created to set up your own classroom layout for your teaching purpose. It’s not a classroom seating arrangement app, but it comes close. It gives you much more freedom as you can draw your own classroom setup. Check out this tool (the worksheet widget) on BookWidgets !

Every classroom is different. The most important thing is that students feel confident and trust the classroom environment. Make sure to move around your student desks from time to time so you have the perfect classroom seating arrangement for your lesson.

Share this post with other teachers to inspire them! A little variety in class is always nice.

Let us know on Twitter what your favorite type of seating arrangement is! If you have any other setup ideas or a fun combination in your classroom, be sure to share them in our Facebook Group .

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The art of the seating chart: Perfecting classroom seating arrangements

Lucid Content

Reading time: about 6 min

Getting a new seating assignment as a student was always nerve-wracking. It determined how annoyed you’d be, how much you'd talk, and how much work you’d get done. The ponderous weight of your happiness hinged on where you sat. Now, as a teacher, classroom seating arrangements are less nerve-wracking and more headache-inducing. And, frankly, the stakes are higher: Implement the wrong seating arrangement, and you could potentially undermine your students’ learning experience.

Making a classroom seating chart used to mean manually updating the paper layout you’d constructed, then reconfiguring every time a student added or left the class. But those days are over.

With Lucidchart, seating arrangements are easy to create and easy to update. Plus, you can experiment with different configurations in the software before implementing them in real life (because the less you have to drag desks around the room, the better). Read on for tips on how to select the best arrangement for your classroom.

What to consider

Keeping your students happy and productive in their seating arrangements in class is as delicate a task as keeping your wedding guests happy and non-combative in their seating arrangements at the reception. When you start creating your class seating chart, keep in mind:

Chaotic energy: Bill is a quiet student. So is Anna. But when the two of them sit next to each other, it’s a volcanic nightmare. Using Lucidchart, it’s easy to immediately see potential trouble and make adjustments.

Obstructions: Consider poles, weird angles, walls, your own desk placement, and anything else that may make it difficult for your students to see the whiteboard.

Comfort: Students all have different learning styles and abilities. Some may flourish in the back row, and some may flounder. Some may prefer sitting near a window, and some may consider it a distraction. Also, consider your own position. There may be students you need to keep a closer eye on, and they may need to be seated closer to your desk or to where you normally stand.

Height of student: Don’t put a tall basketball player in front of a short student, forcing the smaller student to crane their neck to see the board.

Teaching style: If you prefer walking around the classroom as you teach, you may want to consider a cohort or group seating style. Or if you prefer being near the whiteboard, choose a seating arrangement that supports that.

The best seating arrangement is one that encourages your students’ learning while also supporting your teaching style. It should make all students feel welcome, safe, and engaged.

Classroom layouts

We’ve come a long way from the rigid rows of English boarding schools. Take a look at a few examples of layouts and their benefits.

This seating arrangement works by grouping desks in even numbers, usually in fours. While this arrangement is great for supporting group projects and fostering better collaboration, you may want to steer clear if you have students who can’t be trusted to stay on task when seated facing one another.

This type of seating arrangement may also make some students uncomfortable, as they are in close proximity to one another. On the other hand, you may introduce this seating arrangement by explaining that cohorts help simulate the typical office environment and that close collaboration is expected in most jobs, so if they can thrive in discomfort, your students will be able to thrive in most jobs. Use your best judgment. If you feel this cohort seating arrangement isn’t working for your classroom, it’s easy to try other seating arrangements using Lucidchart.

• High school or advanced middle school students
• Highly collaborative environments

The U-shape is the most space-restrictive shape of seating, but it fosters a great sense of community. Though you can potentially have multiple rows in your U, adding multiple rows will leave some children facing the backs of other students, which detracts from the community feel.

The U-shape seating arrangement offers each seat full view of not only you but also every other student, which makes it the most equitable shape. Consider this seating arrangement if you incorporate many visuals into your lesson plans, like science experiments and demonstrations. You can also have your students sit in the middle of the U, with their backs to the desks, for show-and-tell and reading times. Because of its versatility, the U-shape is a particularly effective seating arrangement for elementary classrooms. 

• Small class sizes
• Elementary and middle school students
• Demonstrative teaching techniques

Traditional rows

The most time-honored of all classroom seating arrangements, traditional rows force focus to the front of the classroom, which is useful if you tend to spend most of your time using the whiteboard or projector.

However, not all seats are created equal. Students at the back of the class will have a more difficult time seeing the board, and they may be distracted by all the rows in front of them. It’s also easier for students to cheat on tests, as it’s easy to look over someone’s shoulder. And it’s also more difficult to have one-on-one time if you have to weave yourself between the rows.

• Large classrooms
• Medium group involvement

Parallel rows facing each other

This classroom seating arrangement allows for an aisle down the rows, which is great if you prefer to get into the fray as you teach. However, it’s awkward for students to see the whiteboard, as everyone has to angle their bodies to see the front of the room. Don’t use this option if you often show movies or projections.

• Smaller classrooms
• Middle and high schoolers
• Fostering conversations and debates

Rows with an aisle down the middle

This variation on the traditional row setup allows you to have more involvement with and control over your class. It doesn’t require as much space as a U shape, but if space is at a premium, you may have no choice but to go with rows. This option is also a good idea for computer-based teaching because you can easily provide power to all the desks while allowing you to individually teach each student.

• Computer classes
• 1-on-1 teaching

Using software to help

Manually creating and updating class seating charts is a chore. Save yourself time and frustration with Lucidchart's customizable seating chart templates for classrooms. You can experiment with different variations, quickly visualize the classroom, and make adjustments all in one digital canvas. It’s also simple to link data about students, like names, attendance, grades, etc., so they’re always accessible within the seating chart.

You can also easily share the seating chart with administrators or substitute teachers (otherwise your students may be stricken with a curious seating chart-specific amnesia). With Lucidchart, updating the seating chart is as easy as a few clicks.

Trial and error

Don’t be frustrated if it takes a few tries to find the right seating arrangement. In fact, don’t be surprised if your class seating chart changes as you learn more about your students and grow familiar with their learning style.

Also, try changing the energy in the room by moving things around. Changing where your students sit can often reinvigorate your classroom. Of course, it can also lead to total anarchy, so if that’s the case, try again.

Teachers can get a free Educational account from Lucidchart to start their classroom seating charts.

About Lucidchart

Lucidchart, a cloud-based intelligent diagramming application, is a core component of Lucid Software's Visual Collaboration Suite. This intuitive, cloud-based solution empowers teams to collaborate in real-time to build flowcharts, mockups, UML diagrams, customer journey maps, and more. Lucidchart propels teams forward to build the future faster. Lucid is proud to serve top businesses around the world, including customers such as Google, GE, and NBC Universal, and 99% of the Fortune 500. Lucid partners with industry leaders, including Google, Atlassian, and Microsoft. Since its founding, Lucid has received numerous awards for its products, business, and workplace culture. For more information, visit lucidchart.com.

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8 Classroom Seating Arrangements to Help You Plan Your Layout

• Classroom Management

Designing the layout of a classroom is crucial as it can significantly impact students’ interaction, engagement, and learning. There are many different seating arrangements you can choose from, each with its advantages and potential drawbacks. Here are eight classroom seating arrangements that can help you maximize your instructional goals:

1. Traditional Rows or Columns

This is the most common seating arrangement, where desks are lined up in rows or columns facing the front of the classroom. This setup is great for focused individual work and direct instruction from the teacher, but it limits student-to-student interaction.

2. Clusters or Pods

Grouping desks into clusters or pods fosters a collaborative learning environment where students can work together on projects or discussions. This layout encourages teamwork and peer learning but makes it harder for all students to have a clear view of the front.

3. U-Shape or Horsehoe

A U-shaped arrangement allows all students to face each other, promoting open dialogue and easier classroom management for the teacher. It also ensures that each student has an unobstructed view of the teacher and any visual aids.

4. Circle or Oval

Arranging desks in a circle or oval creates an intimate setting conducive to discussion and debate. This setup puts everyone on an equal footing, encouraging students to participate more actively.

5. Stadium Seating

In this tiered setup, rows of seats are elevated like in a stadium. It allows better visibility for both the teacher and students but requires a specifically designed classroom with movable chairs rather thandesks.

6. Seminar Style

For older students, seminar styles with rectangular or circular tables facilitate discussion-based classes and group work. It’s similar to a university setting and helps prepare students for post-secondary education dynamics.

7. Lab Stations

When hands-on experiments or activities are central to classwork, lab stations are ideal. They provide ample workspace and can be equipped with necessary materials and tools for scientific or technical tasks.

8. Café Style

Inspired by coffee shops, café-style seating with small round tables and comfortable chairs can make for a relaxed environment where students feel free to engage in discussions and independent work.

Each seating arrangement has its unique set of benefits that cater to different teaching styles and learning objectives. The key is to align your classroom layout with your educational goals while allowing flexibility to adapt as those goals evolve throughout the school year.

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A Strategic Approach to Seating Arrangements in High School

Which seating arrangement works best—assigned, random, or something else? Here’s an idea from someone who has tried them all.

Ever ponder why it’s so hard to come up with the best seating arrangement for any given class? If you’ve done the actual math, you’ve determined that it’s improbable just by chance. If you haven’t, then you should know that in a class of 30 students with 30 seats, probability tells you there are 30! (30 factorial, or 2.6 x 10 32 ) different ways they could be seated—more ways if you are like many teachers who have over 30 students per class. Even if you’re fortunate enough to have only 15 young minds to teach in a class with one seat each, there are still over a trillion (15!) ways to arrange them.

Although only one of those many outcomes can be the best , many outcomes could be pretty good, but that also means there’s the potential for a lot of problematic arrangements for both you and your students. 

So what’s a teacher to do with so many possible outcomes—just throw your hands up and let the students choose? Leave it to random chance and hope for something reasonably good? Dedicate lots of time and thought with a more strategic and intentional approach? After decades of teaching and years of mentoring, my answers to these questions would be: not a chance, still no, and yep! Here’s a look at each of those approaches.

Student Choice?

On the first day of school in many buildings or classrooms, you’re likely to overhear (or maybe even say), “There are no assigned seats—sit wherever you want.” This, of course, is not what actually happens. Students with the most status, or bullies, or those who are early, or those whose friends got there and saved them a space, might get to sit where they want, and the rest end up sitting someplace they may never have chosen if given the chance.

If you then never create a seating chart, this imbalance is repeated on a daily basis. If you later use self-selected seats to generate a seating chart, what frequently happens is that some groups or areas work, while others do not. Then, to break up the problem groups, you also have to break up those groups or areas that aren’t a problem—not great for student-to-student relationships or for teacher-to-student relationships.

This took me over a decade to realize on my own, and then I finally recognized that my frustrations with my students’ choices were really my own frustrations over not learning from my mistakes. Of course, their social priorities did not match my educational priorities. So, not a chance I’d keep using self-selection with their still-developing adolescent frontal lobes.

Random Assignment?

How about using randomness to solve some of the problems created by choice seating? Regardless of class size, if you run repeated random groupings of three or four students, you will see that more often than not, you will end up with quite a few well-mixed groups but also one or two “stronger” groups and one or two “weaker” groups. This is both problematic and not your original intent.

If you’re relying on high-tech random seating chart generators or even low-tech methods like drawing names for extended seating assignments, especially if those assignments are in groups, you are likely making things harder for both yourself and many of your students. So, a randomized approach for your day-to-day base seating? Still a no. Save randomization for short, frequent visible learning opportunities (as in Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12 ) or other more appropriate situations. 

Strategic Seating?

An early investment in strategic seating based on intentionality and data can pay big dividends. This method worked well for me with Biology I (a required course for all ninth-grade students when I taught it), Marine Biology (a semester elective with students ranging from ocean-loving geeks to those whose reply to “Why did you elect to take this class?” was “I didn’t—my counselor put me in here”), and AP Statistics, which is where I first experimented with it.

Here’s what prompted the more strategic and intentional approach on my part many years ago. In my first few years, I assumed that the junior and senior AP Statistics students coming to my class after taking AP Calculus, Pre-calculus, or Trigonometry the previous year would be mature and motivated enough to choose where they wanted to sit, and of course I was wrong, because their choices were still more along the lines of social reasons than academic ones.

This frequently resulted in table groups of four based on friends from their previous math classes. The common result was the Calc groups soared, the Pre-calc groups did well enough, and the Trig groups struggled—definitely not the result I was striving to achieve.

So I employed data about each student’s previous math class, other academic performance, and grade level to create groups that had one or two from each course in them and used that as my starting seating chart on the first day of school. I eventually did something similar with my Biology and Marine Biology students by looking at their past academic performance as well as other data such as individualized education programs and 504s.

This initial setup took a lot of time but usually paid off fairly quickly because I spent way less time having to deal with the problems that nearly always resulted from choice or random seating. Additionally, I used that data for shuffling for new groups at the end of a time period such as a unit. Depending on how a given class was proceeding, I would get data from the students after we had successfully established routines for success.

From these strategic seating arrangements, I could orchestrate a variety of ways to quickly shuffle groups for sharing information, teaming for quizzes , tackling new tasks, or building classroom community. So, yep!—strategic and intentional (and initially very time-consuming) seating was my go-to for the last couple of decades of my career. If you aren’t using seating charts at all and need some more convincing, this article may help.

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8 Classroom Seating Arrangements Teachers Love

Written by Holly (Teach Starter)

There’s always a lot to think about when it comes to classroom seating arrangements. Should you arrange students in pods? Separate them out in a grid? What about flexible seating? Is it a hot trend you should avoid or jump right in on?

How will your classroom seating arrangements affect student learning, and what the heck do you do when a new kid (or kids) moves in and changes the number of kids in your room?

Take a breath! The teachers on the Teach Starter team have examined the science behind seating arrangements and popular student desk set-ups. We’ve also considered the rules and regulations around preferential seating to ensure that your students with IEPs are best served by their spot in the classroom. Read on for suggestions for setting up your classroom desks, tables and more!

How Does Seating Arrangement Affect Learning?

At the end of the day, this is the question teachers always ask, isn’t it? Will moving little Johnny or little Shante’s seats be a good thing for their academic success?

As you know, seating arrangements in the classroom are about a lot more than picking a style that looks aesthetically pleasing or even picking one that works with the size of your class list and the size of your classroom. Studies have shown that where a child sits in class can affect everything from their motivation to their class participation, as well as their relationship with you as a teacher, relationships with classmates, and — of course — learning.

How you set up your classroom desks can also affect your own pedagogy. Thinking of setting up stadium-style seating? You may not mean it, but the studies show you could end up spending more time lecturing to your students with less involvement from them. Thinking of a roundtable-type seating arrangement? The opposite is likely to be true — your students will likely be more actively involved, and your classroom learning environment will be more student-led.

So how do you choose? We’ve put together some seating arrangements to consider in your classroom — from pods to the increasingly popular flexible seating — along with how they might work (or not) for you.

Classroom Seating Arrangement Ideas

Before you plan out any seating arrangements for your classroom, it’s important to first take a look at your students’ IEPs. Does anyone in your class have stipulations about where they should be seated for the best learning environment?

Preferential Seating for Students With Disabilities

Often called preferential seating, these accommodations are made to give students with specific needs the ability to see, hear, and participate in classroom activities in the same ways as their peers who don’t have disabilities. A child who has a hearing disability, for example, might be required to sit nearer the teacher to be able to hear what’s being said, while a child who is easily distracted might need a spot out of the line of sight of the classroom door. These seating arrangements for kids with IEPs aren’t just suggestions. It’s a federal law, so make sure you abide by them.

It’s also wise to consider the needs of students who do not have IEPs when planning your seating. A child with glasses, for example, may not have an official plan, but you may realize they really need a seat closer to the front of the classroom.

Likewise, there may be students who really should not be seated near one another, whether it’s because they’re too likely to talk or simply do not get along. If your class is brand-new to you, these are things you’ll find out as the school year progresses — don’t be afraid to change up your seating arrangement!

How to Arrange Classroom Seats

Once you’ve taken students’ individual needs into consideration, how do you arrange all of those classroom seats?

Here are some pros and cons to eight different classroom desk arrangement ideas that have been tried and tested by teachers in the know. Obviously, there are a number of factors that will influence the seating arrangement that will work in your classroom. The main struggle is, of course, considering the size of the classroom, number of students, and the furniture you have.

This list has something for every teacher and every classroom … we hope!

Grouping of student desks in a variety of numbered groups is often known as seating students in ‘pods’.

This setup, of course, lends itself really well to a classroom that does a lot of group work and collaboration. Also, if you are a teacher who finds the competition of ‘group points’ works well to keep your students on task, this desk layout is a winner!

Browse our group organization resources for posters, worksheets and much more!

Cons to ‘pods’ desk configuration include:

• Desks move around easily
• Can be distracting for some
• Some kids will have to shift to see the whiteboard
• If you need to social distance students, pods just don’t work

Let’s face it, in a classroom of 30 or so students, there are going to be a variety of learning styles and learning requirements. One way to combat this is to mix up the desk arrangement and try to cater to a variety of learning styles and needs.

Another classroom management technique using this desk configuration is to not have ‘set’ desks.

A bit like flexible seating, students can move around to the desk configuration that is going to work for them for different subject areas. This may be more teacher-directed than student-directed. If you have a small group of students that need a lot of teacher assistance for one subject area you can get them to sit in a desk arrangement such as the small U shape and position yourself in the middle of the U.

The obvious con of this arrangement is that students may not like to be sitting in a different configuration from their peers. Also, can you cater to every students’ learning needs?

Flexible Seating

Flexible seating is not a new concept. Teachers either love this concept or they don’t. Again, it really depends on the students in your class and what works best for them.

Flexible seating gurus say that this form of classroom ‘un-seating’ better reflects the hyper-connected and ever-changing world we live in. That it inherently requires students to master skills such as flexibility, creativity, problem-solving and collaboration.

This kind of seating arrangement is an absolute classroom change. If you are thinking of changing to flexible seating it may be an idea to have a bit of a trial period to see if this sort of layout is going to work for your class. Have one ‘different’ flexible seating option available and see if it’s something your students will be able to cope with and will improve their learning environment.

This layout is one that I often used in my classrooms. It had the benefits of easily managing small group work without students being squashed together and meant they had a bit more personal space.

This layout was also beneficial for me, as the teacher, as I could easily go around and check work and check in on individual students.  I would often position my chair in the middle of one of the ‘U’ shapes to have small discussions with each group when needed.

Again, a con to this set-up would be you will have some students not ‘facing’ the whiteboard and others that are facing the whiteboard, however, may have other students’ heads in the way of their viewing of the whiteboard.

Simple Rows

The traditional desk in rows is still an option, especially if you do a lot of board work.

Obviously, this layout doesn’t cater very well to small group/collaborative learning. However, if you have space in your classroom, you may be able to set up a variety of other group work areas in the classroom and save the desks for individual work.  All students in this desk layout will face the board, and it lends itself to easily moving the desks to cater to test conditions if required.

When the desks are in rows, it is often easier for the teacher to see who is on task as well. However, if you do have a lot of students in your class, this layout could put some students a fair way away from the whiteboard and the front of the class.

Stadium Seating

A slight deviation to the desks in rows, stadium-like seating is another option that may work, particularly for older kids. This classroom seating layout again makes it easier for the teacher to see if all students are on task as the desks are angled to one point in the classroom. This layout also uses less floor space and, as we know, some classrooms are very, very small. The more floor space you can get the better, am I right?

This layout won’t suit a classroom that does involve a lot of group work/collaboration, and it can often turn the teacher into a lecturer.

Large U Shapes

This desk arrangement concept was another one of my favorite layouts for the classroom.  This classroom seating layout caters well to whole-class discussions and enables students the ability to easily see their classmates and interact with them during discussions.

This layout is similar to the small u-shapes in that each desk is easily accessible by the classroom teacher. Again, this layout doesn’t work well for small group work, but students can still work in pairs with the person beside them if required.

If you are struggling with a small classroom, this Double E shape may just be the desk layout that will work for you.  This desk configuration creates two smaller carpet areas in the middle of the desks, which would provide some space for small group work as well.

Again, this layout makes it easier for the teacher to get around and help out individual students. This layout also allows for a little flexibility in that if you have particular students that really need to face the whiteboard you can make sure they are facing the front of the classroom.

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Do you have any ideas for triangle shaped desks?

Hey, Laurel! Thanks for the great idea, we will certainly aim to include different desk shapes in future posts. Triangular desks are certainly tricky, we've been there!

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• Partner Activities
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First Day Seating with character cards

August 22, 2012

It is extremely important that your students have assigned seating on the first day of school. Don't believe me? Here's why:

Assigning seats reduces anxiety

Giving students a place to sit helps them to feel at ease. They do not have to worry about where they should sit or whether or not anyone will want to sit near them. They don't have to worry about how so-and-so and what's-her-face will interpret their decision to sit next to he's-so-not-her-type. 

Assigning seats says, "Here, you belong"

As a student enters your room for the first time and you tell them, "You belong here [in this assigned seat]", you are communicating, "Here [in this class], you belong". Your silent voice begins to drown out the voices of any less welcoming classmates, and it will continue to grow louder and hit the sound waves as you prove to students that yes, you are special. I accept you. You belong here!

Assigning seats establishes your authority

Furthermore, assigning seats on the first day sets the precedent that you are the authority in your classroom. It is easy to let structure go as the year goes on, but it is nearly impossible to put it into place if it has not been there before. You are going to love your students, you are going to connect with them, you are going to make them feel comfortable and accepted and valued and smart and important. But today--the first day of class--you are going to let them know that the buck stops with you.

Zero prep seat assignment

To make it a little easier on yourself and a little more fun for your students, try using my method. My method doesn't require me to create seating charts until the students have stopped shifting between courses and my roster is set…you know…somewhere around second quarter ;-)!

I say Zero Prep but that's not true– you do need to do some prep work at home, so that the assigning itself is no-prep. I created bright colored cards with fanciful creatures on them to "assign" seats to students on the first day of school. You can use mine or create your own version!

You will need to create two identical sets of cards: one that you hand out at the door, and one that is taped to desks, chairs, or places on the rug. In each set, you will need as many cards as there are students in your biggest class. In my classes with 35 students, I need two sets of 35 cards.

Prep step 1

Instead of creating 36 unique character cards, I create 6 characters and copy them on 6 unique colors of bright paper. 6 characters x 6 colors = 36 unique cards! Then, make a second, identical set.

Prep step 2

I laminated all of my cards so that I can use them with all five classes, year after year.

Prep step 3

Tape the first set of cards to the seating locations in your classroom (on desks, chairs, etc.).

Time to assign the seats!

As students enter the room, hand them a card from Set 2.

Instruct students to sit at the seat that has the identical card taped to it. For example, if you hand them a pink unicorn, they must sit at the seat with the pink unicorn taped to the desk. If you hand them a blue unicorn, they must sit at the seat with the blue unicorn taped to the desk. If you hand them a green zombie...well, you get the idea.

When to assign seats for real

In all seriousness, I use this method to assign seats for the first week of school (which for me is always a three day week--Wednesday through Friday). By that time, I have gotten a handle on personalities in the class and feel like I have the information I need to assign traditional seats.

Even if you will not assign seats --I encourage you to give students a place to go on the first few days of school. If you are deskless, place the cards on chairs or on spots on the floor. Take the guesswork out of entering the room until your students feel comfortable navigating the space and their peers on their own.

Use the cards for all.the.things.

After the first day, you can use these cards to form groups for any activity. You can use just one of the sets and ask students to get into color groups or creature groups, or you can use half of each of the sets and ask students to find the other person with their exact match. I laminate my set of cards so that I can re-use it each year and throughout the year.

Get my cards for free!

My students love my whimsical cards , and I know that yours will, too!

The cards are a free download in Spanish and French (thanks to Lisa Brown for translating!), and they are available as pretty PDFs and slightly-messy-but-editable Word and Pages files.  I chose these characters because they are all cognates in Spanish, and they are fun for the students. 

• SEND ME THE CARDS!

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Seating Chart Maker Create Classroom Seating Plans

Need a seating chart fast? Set up your classroom in just 3 minutes . Turn a list of student names into a dynamic, shareable seating plan. Use our customizable templates or create your unique classroom floor plan.

Free trial. No credit card required.

The go-to software for 2000+ forward-looking teachers.

Events & Other Occasions

Plan seating layouts for any event, including conferences, banquets, and galas. Use our intuitive interface to arrange seats, tables, and even stages. Ensure every guest has the best seat in the house and streamline your event setup.

Learn about event seating chart planning →

Classrooms: Schools to Universities

Effortlessly create detailed seating charts for school, college, university classrooms, and more. Perfect for teachers looking to optimize student placement and enhance classroom management. Tailor your layout to match room specifics and student needs.

Design your wedding reception seating arrangement with ease. Our tool helps you visualize the placement of tables and ensure that guests are seated in the most appropriate spots. Perfect for both small family events and large, elaborate weddings.

Discover wedding seating chart solutions →

This app just saved me so much time. Thank you! Rachel Silva Teacher, US 🇺🇸

I teach the same set of students in various classrooms throughout the week. The beauty of the Seating Chart Maker for me lies in its ability to utilize the same student list to form multiple seating arrangements for different rooms. Mareike Wolff Teacher, Switzerland 🇨🇭

Effortless planning software

How it works

Quickly set up classrooms, add students, and create seating charts using intuitive software.

Set up available seats

Create the layout of your classroom or select a ready-made template. Pick chair and desk styles. Rotate and place them freely with familiar software features like drag-and-drop, automatic snap guide, and copy-and-paste.

Create or import student roster

Seating Chart Maker lets you quickly populate your roster by copying and pasting names from any application or text file or importing data from spreadsheets and CSV files.

In this phase, you can easily set up groups of students that should be, e.g., kept separated, together, or in front of the classroom in a randomly generated chart.

Generate a seating chart

Generate a random seating chart, tweak it to perfection, and print or share it via a link. You can also show it directly from the app in full-screen mode.

You can easily edit existing seating plans or create new ones with the same roster and room.

Reduce your preparation time

Efficient classroom seating chart software

Seating Chart Maker simplifies the creation and management of classroom seating plans. Quickly generate new arrangements and reuse room templates and student lists with ease.

Use the wheel of names to pick a random student from your roster. Add excitement, make unbiased decisions, or play games.

Form groups to seat students together or apart based on criteria like ability or behavior. Random seating respects your groupings.

Strategic seating

What is a classroom seating chart, anyway?

A classroom seating chart, or a seating plan, is a blueprint for setting up seats and students in a certain space—most often in classrooms.

Its main task is to manage space well, ensuring each student has their spot, which helps keep things orderly and boosts learning. Plus, it makes figuring out who's who a breeze.

Why bother with a seating chart?

Crafting a seating chart is all about making things work smoothly. In places like schools, it helps get students seated quickly and neatly, speeds up roll calls, and cuts down on the usual classroom chaos.

• Keep things orderly. A smart seating chart minimizes distractions and limits interactions that might disrupt learning, which is vital for teachers who want a calm, productive classroom.
• Boost engagement. A well-designed seating plan promotes student cooperation (while reducing unwanted chatter). For example, you might want to seat students who need extra help near the front or with a partner who can assist them.

Tips for nailing your seating plan

• Evaluate the classroom layout. Based on the classroom's size and shape, choose a seating arrangement, such as rows, clusters, or a U-shape arrangement, that supports your teaching aims.
• Mix things up. Keep the energy alive by switching seats now and then based on what the students need or what the lesson calls for. Changes in the seating plan keep group dynamics smooth and the classroom fresh and exciting.
• Remain adaptable. Be ready to tweak your seating arrangement throughout the year as you get to know your students better and as their needs change.

Keeping the above points in mind will help you create a seating chart that's not just about filling seats but also about enhancing the overall educational experience. Let's set up your students in the best way possible!

Read more about classroom management with seating charts →

Examples of seating charts made with the app

Save your seating charts in the app, export them to PDF, or print them on paper for easy keeping or sharing.

Plans & pricing

Simplify seating with our easy-to-use online application. If you're not satisfied, contact us within the first 14 days and we'll send you a full refund .

Kickstart your seating charts with the Seating Chart Maker Personal Plan.

$3 . 99 /month Save 50% with annual

Billed annually $47.88 . Plus tax.

• Unlimited seating charts
• Share resources via link
• Add participant photos
• Automatic and custom seating
• Wheel of names
• Email support

No credit card required for trial.

For professional users, teams and organizations. Includes up to 10 users.

Billed annually $300 . Plus tax.

• Extra users $6/month/10 users
• Includes everything in Personal plan
• Share resources with your team
• Data integrations
• Priority support

Frequently asked questions

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to our customer support team.

• Direct Upload: Easily upload your roster directly using common spreadsheet formats like CSV or Excel.
• Copy & Paste: Alternatively, copy and paste a list of names into our input field. Seating Chart Maker will automatically detect separator characters such as newlines and commas.

After importing, you can easily modify the name format and add student photos. For the copy & paste method, if you cannot copy directly from your source, you may want to export your data to a CSV, Excel, or similar format before copying.

We don't offer a pause feature, but you can cancel and restart your subscription anytime. Don't worry about losing your data; we keep it safe for 12 months after you unsubscribe. This means you can come back and continue where you left off, with all your seating plans and data ready for your next period.

No installation is required. Seating Chart Maker is a web-based application that works in any modern web browser. This includes Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. It also works on mobile devices and tablets, although we recommend using a desktop or laptop for the best experience.

Yes, you can print your seating plans or room templates. Seating Chart Maker allows you to export these to PDF in common paper sizes (like Letter and A4) for easy printing. You can also export to image formats for digital display, sharing, or custom printing.

When presenting from your computer, you can use the built-in full-screen mode from the app to display your seating chart.

You can also flip the perspective between teacher and student perspective when viewing, presenting or printing. This is useful for teachers who want to present seating charts to students from their own point of view. All names and labels will remain readable and oriented in the correct direction.

If you no longer have access to your account, please contact us and we'll be happy to help you regain access by, for example, changing your email address after verifying you're the account owner.

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Explore our handy guides for creating efficient seating plans, or find fresh inspiration for managing your classroom with a seating chart.

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Make Assigning Seats More Fun With This Simple Trick

I have a love-hate relationship with seating charts . I love how they help me learn students’ names, but I hate creating the “perfect chart” only to learn that I put kids next to each other that should NOT be together. I love how they help my students have a sense of structure in the art room, but I hate the hours it takes to (re)write 24 different seating charts.

I found that when I was writing the first 6 or 7 seating charts, I paid attention to things like where everyone was sitting, who was side-by-side, and where people sat earlier. However, by the time I got to seating chart number 20, I was just writing down names.

I knew that I wanted to change how I was doing my seating charts… but how?

Introducing Random Seating Charts!

I know it sounds crazy, but creating random seating charts saves me a lot of time. Plus, they are as successful, if not more so than traditional charts, when it comes to putting the “right” kids together.

So how does a random seating chart work?

It is as simple as following these 5 steps., 1. choose a category, and make a list..

First, choose a category, like “colors,” “shapes,” “artists,” or “art movements.” I like to keep my categories related to art, but you could really do anything. Then, make a list of things that belong in that category. For example, “red, blue, turquoise, yellow, magenta, brown, etc…” You will want an item for each seat in your room. So, if you have 30 seats in your room, you’ll need 30 items on your list. When you have enough items on your list to match the number of seats in your room, you can go to step #2.

Category: Colors

Red Blue Yellow Green Orange Purple Magenta Turquoise Pink etc…

2. Create two matching sets of cards.

This step can be as simple as printing two matching sets off the printer or as complex as creating laminated cards. If you have more than one seating area, like a reading rug,  you could even print a third set. You can choose to keep the same set and reuse them all year or create a new set each time you change the seating chart.

3. Label the tables.

You will use one set of cards to label the tables. Make sure they are taped down well, especially if you are changing seats for all of your classes. Or, you can even write directly on the desks with a Sharpie. I found the idea on  Timeouts and Tootsie Rolls . The Sharpie method is great because you don’t have to worry about the table cards getting ruined or going missing. 

4. Hand out one set of tags to the students.

As the students enter the room, I hand each of them one of the second set of tags. Their job is to match their tag to a spot on a table. As they find their spots, they set their tag on top of the other tag so I can check that they match up.

I do have one table that is “overflow” for my larger classes. I like to mark these tags so they can quickly be added or removed based on the size of the class. If anyone needs to move seats, I can do it quickly before I write it down.

5. Write down names while students are working.

While students are working, I walk around the room writing down the new seating chart. I can see what is happening in the room while creating an effective seating chart. If you teach older students, you could assign this job to one of them. If I find kids sitting together who shouldn’t be, I quickly move them before writing down the names.

I promise this is an easy way to do seating charts. In fact, random seating charts have started to take away the hate part of my love/hate relationship with seating charts. The kids love finding their new seats. I love all the time I save writing seating charts. I love that my first chart and my last chart are equally thought out and successful. I love that all 24 of my classes can easily switch at the same time. I am sure that if you give random seating charts a chance you will love them too.

How do you plan seating charts in your room?

Are there any other good art-related categories you can think of?

Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.

Jennifer Carlisle

Jennifer Carlisle, a middle school art educator, is a former AOEU Writer. She loves exploring and teaching art through both traditional and digital art mediums.

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Thank you for visiting this app and giving it a go. I hope you will find it very useful!

Any seating plan data you enter is only on your computer. It is not sent across the internet.

Yes you can order boy/girl or put high/low ability students together. Set the column order on the 'add/edit names' screen (prioritise the columns you want to group, followed by the column you want to distribute by). Then click 'group and 'distribute' tick boxes. Finally click 'auto position'.

Please use Google Chrome for maximum compatibility. (There is a slight bug in Firefox)

Load the demo data to get an idea of what this generator can do. Video tutorial: https://youtu.be/qPZUKbGFSNM

Benefits of this app

• It's completely free - no on-going payment or being tied in to an expensive product.
• No login/password required - open for all.
• Quickly copy & paste class lists from a spreadsheet into the names form. If pasted in the LAST NAME, first name format, it'll automatically split into first and last name.
• Add/remove as many fields about people as you like.
• See a summary of people's attributes (e.g. G&T, SEN, gender etc) on the seating plan - each is truncated to up to three characters. This 'sensitive' data can also be hidden with the 'eye' icon.
• Keywords automatically change into icons.
• Drag and drop to re-arrange seats, or automatically position by a-z (last name), randomly, or by grouping/distributing. e.g. you can sit all 'A' grade students together, and further split them by gender.
• Directly edit people's names on the seating plan, or click to add further people/positions in the classroom
• 'Flip' the layout, so you can project the seating plan and everyone knows where to sit!
• Try different seating plan templates
• Randomly pick a person from the layout
• Save your seating plan as a downloaded file
• Edit your seating plan as an uploaded file
• All data entered stays on your computer - there no privacy issues to worry about.

Keyword that change to icons

Alpha Notes

This seat planner is an alpha release. This means that:

• There may be bugs, usability and compatibility issues, although it has been tested with major browsers
• Not all features intended for the final release are included

Requirements

This has been tested with the following web browsers. This is not to say that it is entirely fully tested and bug-free. (It's an alpha release!)

• Windows/Google Chrome 55
• Windows/Firefox 50.1.0
• Windows/Edge 38.14393

How do I use this? Tutorial video to be released late Jan/Feb 2017).

• Don't put in grade numbers, put in letters, otherwise strange sorting can happen (unless you're only using numbers 0-9, or appropriately zero-filling, e.g. 01, 02...10, 11, it'll work)
• Navigate the cells in the list of people with tab/shift+tab, up/down arrow keys.

It always starts to position people from the bottom left, but if it finds a 'chair', it looks for adjacent chairs in the order of right, up, left, down.

Do not refresh the web page. If you do, the data disappears. It's because it does not currently use 'session cookies' to remember anything.

Classroom Seating Chart

Finding the perfect seating arrangement is challenging but we have you covered. Use our free seating chart maker or classroom seating chart templates to find the best solution with minimum effort.

With our free online classroom design tool, you can create a classroom layout with a few clicks of your mouse. Add desks, chairs, storage, bookshelves, etc to design and plan your ideal classroom layout. We also offer a free editable classroom seating chart template to help organize your classroom and plan the seating arrangements. Printing a visual layout of your classroom will help you find the ideal layout for your classroom and ideal seating arrangements. You can move tables and students around until you find the ideal classroom seating arrangement.

The following classroom seating chart templates are available in four different formats: a typeable PDF, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and an image file.

Select the classroom floor plan that most resembles the floor plan you have or would like to create. If you find a perfect match, then you can download an image or editable PDF and type the names of the students only. If you need to change the layout, then select the Powerpoint version. You can delete desks, add additional desks or drag them around.

Word | Powerpoint | Image | Editable PDF

Word | Powerpoint | Image | PDF

30 Students

24 Students

18 Students

36 Students

12 Students

15 Students

14 Students

16 Students

21 Students

17 Students

11 Students

If you don’t find seating charts for classroom layouts similar to yours, then use our free app to create your custom layout. With our free classroom seating chart generator, you can add desks, chairs, and furniture with a click of your mouse. Drag them around to create your ideal classroom seating arrangements.

How to Make a Classroom Seating Chart

• Choose the template that is closest to your classroom layout or the number of students in your class. If you find a classroom template with the same classroom layout that you would like to use, then you can use the image file or the editable PDF to add the students’ names.
• If you need to edit the classroom table plan, then select the Powerpoint version. You can drag the desks around, and delete or add boxes to adapt the seating layout to your actual layout.
• Edit the printable seating chart if you need to adapt it to your classroom. When the layout is ready, you can type the students’ names.
• Print your seating layout chart.
• If you do not find a layout similar to the one you are looking for, then you can use our free classroom seating chart maker below.

Benefits of a Seating Chart

A seating chart helps you plan seating arrangements and to take into account the interactions between different students. Some students disturb each other and it is helpful to separate them. This will not only help your students focus but it will help the teacher concentrate too. There will be less chatter and disturbances during class.

A seating chart is very helpful for substitute teachers. Since you might leave unexpectedly you might want to leave a copy available just in case.

For every given space there are many different possible seating arrangements. Moving tables and chairs around to find the best layout is time-consuming, heavy, and difficult. With our editable seating chart templates, you can drag tables and chairs with your mouse to find the optimal arrangement. It is way easier than moving the desks around. Once you have found the optimal seating arrangement, you can then move the desks and tables according to the seating plan.

Many teachers like to move students around throughout the year. When you have a blank seating chart, you can simply change the names whenever you want. Make a few copies of the chart or save it and visit again when you need to.

It is much easier to take attendance when you have a set seating plan. Within seconds you will know who is missing. When students sit wherever they want, you will need a while to figure out who is missing.

Classroom Layout

You can set up your classroom floor plan with our free online classroom design tool. If you only want to plan the seating layout, then add desks and chairs only. To design the entire classroom layout, add storage, bookshelves, activity areas, etc. If there are additional icons that you would like us to add to the classroom planner, then please leave a comment below.

Classroom Layout Maker

With our free classroom layout maker, you can plan the ideal layout for your classroom. With a click of your mouse, you can add storage, bookshelves, desks, chairs, etc. Drag each item around the “classroom” until you find the ideal layout. Drag items, duplicate them, and delete them with one click of your mouse.

• Click on the button below to open the classroom seating chart maker.
• Click to add desks, chairs, blackboard, storage, etc. Drag each item to wherever you want it to appear.
• To add the students’ names to the seating layout chart, click on “add text”.
• Once you are happy with the classroom diagram, download it.
• Print the chart.

Edit Online

Preschool Classroom Layout

The preschool classroom layout is often different from those above since you will also need to include an area to play in and an area for other group activities.

You will probably want to include learning centers, a teacher station, storage, a library, etc. Each learning center should have room for about 4 children. However, this really depends on how much space you have, how many learning centers you will have, and how many students are in each class.

How to Setup your Classroom

When determining your classroom setup, there are a number of factors you will need to take into account.

The size of your classroom –  How much space do you have to work with?

Permanent fixtures in the classroom – Take into account areas where you cannot place tables such as near the door, next to the air-con, etc. Also, take note if you have any sinks, windows, or fixed furniture that you cannot move.

How many students will be in your class?  The number of students will determine how many spaces you need in your classroom.

Interaction between certain students – Are there any students who you don’t want sitting together? Are there students you do want to sit together?

Are there additional spaces or functions that you will require? Do you need a teacher station, storage space, a workstation, etc? Think about all the elements you want to include in your classroom.

Desk arrangements for classrooms –  You will need to find the desk arrangement that works best with the size of your classroom and the number of students you have.

It also depends on the age of your students. High school and middle school students will have different seating arrangements than those in preschool.

Different learning styles need different seating options. If you do more individual work with students, then you will need a different layout than if you work with a small group of students or with the entire class. If you use different methods in your classroom, then you will want more flexible seating options.

Here are some ideas for desk arrangements.

U-shape of semi-circle – students face each other. This is a great way to encourage discussions between the students and the teacher. The teacher has space to move around the classroom and can easily reach each student. The problem is that this classroom arrangement requires a lot of space and most classrooms are not big enough. To overcome this issue, some teachers create a double u-shape (or double horseshoe layout as it is often referred to). This shape tends to be problematic since it is difficult for the kids to move and very easy to chat with their fellow students.

Grid seating – some teachers like to separate their students into a grid layout to allow students to work individually.

Traditional rows – this layout is good when you need your students to focus on the front of the classroom (for example, when you use a whiteboard, blackboard, or projector). However, students at the back might find it difficult to see the board. It is also difficult for the teacher to reach each student.

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Kamala harris nailed her debate response on the democrats’ most winning issue: abortion, meet spacex’s polaris dawn crew: the daring 4 who are in space on the most ambitious private space mission in history, taylor swift endorsed kamala harris for president, the modern cli renaissance, today’s wordle hints, answer and help for sept. 11, #1180, today’s nyt strands hints, answers and help for sept. 11, #192, today’s nyt connections hints, answers and help for sept. 11, #458, inmobi secures $100 million for ai acquisitions ahead of ipo, teaching your child about service learning: everything you need to know, smart seating charts: the key to better student performance.

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Teachers have long known that not every student is perfectly suited to traditional classroom setups, but with budgets tight, doling out individual attention is not always a reality. What if there was a way to make the traditional classroom setting work better for everyone though?

Research has found that classroom seating arrangements have a great impact on student performance and behavior.  A study done by Angela Hammang at Montana State University found that when carefully crafted seating charts were in effect, teachers were twice as successful reaching students and that the attainment of lower ability students was doubled . In her research, Hammang experimented by moving students around in different seating charts to help them find their optimal place, in this case it was a biology classroom, based on learning styles and personalities. She also looked at groupings by gender and past grade performances. In all cases, the students performed at a higher level when the teacher assigned seating in a calculated manner. Students on the underachieving end of the spectrum showed the most improvement when classroom seating was developed with thought, and not simply assigned based on the alphabet or another random manner.

It’s clear that finding the right classroom seating assignment benefits students and educators, but how can it be accomplished without asking too much of the teacher’s time? How can the guesswork be removed?

A Simple Solution to Classroom Seating

Duncan Wilson has 16 years’ experience as a teacher who was looking for a way to streamline classroom practices to make the most of the time he spent with his students. He met software engineer Gintautas Sasnauskas a few years ago, and together they formed Edukey Education Ltd in 2011 to put the technology behind some of Wilson’s ideas. His first project? Software that guides educators through the process of assigning classroom seating based on reasonable conclusions about the students. ClassCharts is available to all teachers for free and allows for collaboration between classrooms and among teachers. It gives students the best chance at success, no matter what classroom they are in. Since the software became available in 2013, more than 70,000 teachers have signed up and more than 2.5 million students are in the system.

The software was developed based on the following truths that Wilson experienced in front of the blackboard:

• Positive student behavior is necessary for an optimal classroom experience for the children in it.
• Students’ personalities and how they interact with each other impacts their learning potential. Grouping students with complementary personalities leads to higher levels of achievement.
• Tracking student behavior, and sharing that information with other educators and administrators, allows for better resources and intervention.
• Teachers who are familiar with the names of all their students improve the self-esteem of those children and can better assign praise when it is due.

Aside from the “warm and fuzzy” feelings between teachers and students, and students and their peers, that intuitive seating charts provide, there are some practical implications too. There is more data than ever available on students and provided to educators – so much so that it can all be overwhelming and useless without the right implementation.

ClassCharts uses data rich information to present teachers with the key data that they need to make informed seating decisions and to tackle behavior issues. When integrated between classrooms, teachers can see how the behavior of their students ranks other places and together educators can create plans to guide students toward higher achievement.  Schools that upgrade from the free version to the whole-school option give administrators and other school leaders the opportunity to see which students may need the help of extra learning resources. There are even options for informing parents of behavior issues, negative or positive, to keep them abreast to how their children are performing at school.

A New-Fashioned Approach

Most teachers have probably implemented seating charts at one point or another, and perhaps have put some of the ClassCharts concepts into play. It quickly becomes clear to a teacher when two particular students will not be productive near each other or when a certain student would fare better at the front of the classroom. The technology behind ClassCharts goes far beyond the seating basics though, and even calculates factors like students who receive free lunch, or have special education needs. The priorities of an individual school are also taken into consideration when ClassCharts creates a seating chart. All of the variables that a teacher would normally have to weigh are simply input and processed. Simple. And effective.

It’s interesting how something that seems as simple as a seating chart has such complicated implications for student achievement. With smart seating chart implementation, though, students can perform at a higher level and teachers can enjoy the good behavior that accompanies it.

Do you feel like seating charts positively or negatively impact your classrooms?

Take time to look at www.classcharts.com . I promise that you will not be disappointed.

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Five seating-chart apps for classroom organization.

• All Here ($.99):  Get a seating chart, attendance tracking, reminder alarms and more. By clicking on a student who is absent, the teacher can even email the parents missed schoolwork. All Here also offers a memory game to help teachers easily remember their students during the first week of school.   
• Seat Charter  ($2.99):  Users can add student photos and graphics to serve as chairs, tables, etc. The app also offers a shuffle feature to randomize a group of people, export options to share charts, and more.   
• Teacher Kit  (Free):  Here's a teacher personal organizer that helps them get a handle on classes and students. Educators can take attendance and track student grades and behavior.   
• Be Seated (Free):  Virtual desks let users create the classroom roster with names, photos and seating assignments. The app also enables randomly assigned seating. Educators also can track attendance and more.   
• Smart Seat ($4.99):  Create seating charts using a grid, record and export attendance, choose random students for class participation, make student notes and store student photos. Easily export charts as PDFs to give to substitutes. Users can also export students records to e-mail. 

Article by Kassondra Granata, EducationWorld Contributor Education World ®              Copyright © 2014 Education World

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Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and receive top education news, lesson ideas, teaching tips and more! No thanks, I don't need to stay current on what works in education! COPYRIGHT 1996-2016 BY EDUCATION WORLD, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. COPYRIGHT 1996 - 2024 BY EDUCATION WORLD, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. SchoolNotes.com The Educator's Network Grades 6-12 School Leaders Free printable to elevate your AI game 🤖 36 of the Best Flexible Seating Options for Today’s Classroom Because students learn best when they’re comfortable. Supporting the development of world-class learning environments has been—and always will be—at the very core of KI. With a commitment to excellence, backed by lifetime warranties and quick shipping options,  discover how KI can enhance your educational space. Once upon a time, classroom seating was so inflexible that desks and chairs were literally bolted to the floor. These days, flexible seating options let kids choose where and how they sit and listen, work, and learn. What is flexible seating? Flexible seating is about student knowledge and choice. It isn’t letting students move around aimlessly, or moving students into groups. Instead, flexible seating is about making sure that students have options for the ways they sit and letting them choose what works for them. The idea is that students know how they sit best to learn best and can make those choices themselves. What does flexible seating look like? Flexible seating doesn’t look just one way. You could have various options around the room—small-group work spaces, a few reading corners, individual work spaces—and teach students how to use each. You could also have various types of seating that students select from one spot and take to where they are going to work. For example, students who wanted a stool would grab one on the way to circle time. Even if you have desks and chairs already, you can build in flexible seating. Check out how one teacher set up flexible seating in her classroom even after she started with a traditional setup. What are the benefits for students? Flexible seating can be a love it or hate it situation, but if you decide to incorporate it into your classroom, focus on the benefits. Flexible seating provides students with a choice they can make that allows them to feel more in control and empowered about learning. (Teaching students how to make and manage seating choices is a big part of using flexible seating in your classroom.) We love choosing our desk chairs, and students do too. When students are more comfortable, they’re better able to learn and work. Classroom Culture If you incorporate flexible seating into your classroom culture and encourage students to increase collaboration and choice, the community in your classroom will shift for the better. Tips for Setting Up Flexible Seating Once you’re committed, take these tips to make it work: Treat it like a procedure: Before you set out the seating options, explain the rules, then expect to review them often. Talk through choices: Especially if a student chooses a seat that’s not the right one for them (maybe they can’t handle the wiggly stool today), focus on choosing the best seat, not the trouble the current seat is causing. Follow through: If you set the expectation that students are going to use flexible seating to be more focused and productive, remind students of the expectations, then move students the moment you see them not meeting expectations so they don’t disrupt even more. Set parameters for choosing again: If a child has to move seats, let them know when they can have their choice again. After this assignment? After lunch? Tomorrow? Don’t be afraid to assign seats: Even with flexible seating, you can assign spots, partners, or even seats. Have we convinced you? If you want to give it a try, these are some of the best choices for flexible seating on the market today. 1. Ruckus Chair Ruckus chairs boost engagement and support hands-on-learning. Students can choose how they sit to enhance the learning experience. Buy it: Ruckus Chair 2. Flex-Space Giant Comfy Pillows These big cushions are generous enough for older kids to enjoy. And while you can find lots of oversized pillows on the market, these have a zip-off cover you can throw right in the washing machine. Buy it: Flex-Space Giant Comfy Pillows 3. Kids Balance Ball Also known as yoga or exercise balls, these giant balls allow kids to gently bounce while seated and encourage good posture. A stability ball is one of the most affordable flexible seating options. Buy it: Gaiam Kids Balance Ball Chair 4. Balance Ball Chair If you love the idea of a balance ball but hate the roll-away factor, try adding a chair base underneath. Balance ball chair adds a level of stability that some kids need to make the balance ball work for them. For a cheaper, do-it-yourself option, try using pool noodles to make inexpensive stands . 5. Sway Lounge Seating Students of all ages love how these chairs swivel 360 degrees while still remaining steady. Add a table or ottoman to several chairs and you’ll have a space perfect for collaborative discussions. Buy it: Sway Lounge Seating 6. Wobble Cushion If you don’t have the budget for wobble stools, then try wobble cushions instead. They’re very affordable and can be used on the floor or with a regular desk chair. One teacher on Amazon says, “We’ve ordered 3 of these so far for our 4th grade classroom as flexible seating options. The kids LOVE them. I chose to inflate them at different levels to see what works—your most fidgety kids will like it fully inflated. I love that there are 2 sides: a poky side and a more comfortable side. Those that need sensory input will definitely appreciate the poky! Great product—great price.” Buy it: Trideer Wobble Cushion 7. Ricochet Stool Featuring a rounded base for an active sit, Ricochet stools offer students freedom to fidget, which can help keep bodies and minds engaged. Buy it: Ricochet Stool 8. KidsErgo Seat Who could resist sitting on one of these? The accordion-style base compresses slightly to allow continuous small movements forward, back, and side to side. “This seating is a favorite in my first grade classroom!” says one Amazon reviewer. “It gives them just enough movement, but also offers more stability than the yoga balls or wobble seats.” They come in several sizes for students of all ages. Buy it: KidsErgo Seat 9. Gaiam Kids Stay-n-Play Children’s Balance Ball Another balance ball option, this one comes with its own legs to keep it in place when not in use. When kids sit on it, it behaves like any other balance ball. These affordable flexible seating options come in various sizes and colors. Tip: Reviewers recommend ordering a size larger than you think you need. Buy it: Gaiam Kids Stay-N-Play Children’s Balance Ball 10. The Surf Portable Lap Desk Some kids actually prefer working on the floor. If that’s the case, these lap desks are the perfect way to give them a sturdy working surface. They’re also terrific for taking students outside for class. They come in a big selection of colors. If you really like them, you can buy a pack of 10 to make them even more affordable. Buy it: The Surf Portable Lap Desk 11. Learning Lap Desk Sometimes students want to sit on the floor, and a lap desk like this one is the perfect way for students to get situated and work comfortably. We like this desk because it’s light enough for students to lift and carry, and it has built-in storage to keep papers contained. Buy it: Portable Lap Desk 12. Kindermat Story-Time Cushions Every little one who’s ever been to story time at the library will recognize these cushions. They’re popular for a reason. A four-pack is affordable, and they’re made to last and last. Note that these cushions are small, best for the pre-K crowd. Buy it: Kindermat Story-Time Cushions 13. Butterfly Stool Modular Seating Set Here’s another great choice for younger learners. You get six lightweight stools in a set, in several color ranges. You can choose from a 10-inch or 12-inch height. They have a wipe-clean surface and non-skid bottom too. One reviewer says, “My students love using these as a flexible seating option in our classroom. They’re durable, comfortable, and easy to transport.” Buy it: FDP SoftScape Butterfly Stool Modular Seating Set 14. Swivel Ball Chair For younger students, these adorable chairs (is it a gumdrop or a mushroom?) are a good option for kids who need to wiggle in every direction. Buy it: Safco Runtz Swivel Ball Chair 15. Comfy Floor Seat Sit comfortably on the floor anytime, anywhere with this adjustable cushioned seat that’s ideal for ages 8 and up. At the end of the day, lay them flat and stack them up. Bonus: The fabric cover is removable and machine washable. Buy it: Lakeshore Flex-Space Washable Comfy Floor Seat 16. Kore Wobble Chair These wobble stools are in classrooms all over the country. Teachers love them because they’re easy to set up (seriously, it just takes a few seconds once you get it out of the box), and they work for students of all ages. They’re very durable and come in lots of colors. There are also a variety of heights for different ages. Buy it: Kore Wobble Chair 17. Scoop Rocker Teachers love scoop rockers ! Set these on the floor, and kids are ready to rock and recline as they work independently or in a group. This is one of the most affordable flexible seating options when you buy a set of six. Buy it:  Children’s Scoop Rocker 18. Adjustable-Height Wiggle Stool Looking for flexible seating options that will grow with your students? These stools are brilliant! You can buy them in 12-to-18-inch or 12-to-24-inch heights, in multiple colors. Simply add or remove center supports as needed. The slightly angled bottoms allow kids to wiggle quietly or use their core to hold the stool stable while they work. Buy it: Storex Adjustable-Height Wiggle Stool 19. Ergo Bounce Cantilever Chairs These ergonomically designed chairs allow kids to sit up straight or lean forward, all with the right support. Plus, these chairs have a little give, so kids can bounce to get the fidgets out. Buy it: Flex-Space Ergo Bounce Cantilever Chairs 20. Wiggle Wobble Chair Feet If you want to get some flexible seating into your classroom but only have old-fashioned chairs, try adding wiggle wobble chair feet to a selection of chairs. These turn any chair with four feet into a seat that kids can fidget in without disrupting the actual chair. Buy it: Wiggle Wobble Chair Feet 21. Beanbag Chair Add a couple of these to your reading nook, and your kids will be so comfy they’ll never want to leave! They’re part beanbag and part lounge chair, in a vinyl covering that’s easy to wipe clean. Buy it: Big Joe Milano Kid’s Beanbag Chair 21. Calming Colors 3-in-1 Chair Set With this set, you get three flexible seating options in one. Flip the chair for a 6-inch or 9.5-inch seat or to make a 15-inch table. They come in sets of four, in a sturdy plastic that’s easy to clean and will last for years. Buy it: Calming Colors 3-in-1 Chair Set 23. Twixt Active Seating Extended-Height Stool Want to try stools with older students? These are a terrific option, especially if you’d like some to use with taller tables or standing desks. They’re also available in a standard desk height . Buy it: Safco Twixt Active Seating Extended-Height Stool 24. Imaginasium Blocks & Blips These lightweight foam shapes easily adapt to a range of interactive learning and teaching methods to comfortably and creatively engage the littlest learners. Buy it: Imaginasium Blocks & Blips 25. Flex-Space Comfy Curved Seat These curved benches can be arranged in a variety of ways, making them a truly versatile classroom option. The wipe-clean vinyl and strong wood construction mean you can depend on these for a long time. Buy it: Flex-Space Comfy Curved Seat 26. Round Plastic Nesting Stools Simple stools might not be comfortable enough to use all day, but they’re terrific for group work or pulling up next to a student who needs help. They stack up neatly so you can store them out of the way when they’re not in use. They come in sets of 5 or 10. Buy it: Topeakmart Round Plastic Nesting Stools 27. Mobile Desk Chair With Arm This isn’t so different from a lot of high school desks, except that it’s made to move around easily. We especially like the storage space underneath for books or backpacks. Buy it: Flash Furniture Mobile Desk Chair With Arm 28. Ergonomic Kneeling Chair For those who like to lean forward or even work on their knees, this stool is a great way to still support good posture. You can adjust the height, so it works for middle or high school students. Buy it: Dragonn Ergonomic Kneeling Chair 29. Balance Ball Chair Stool Balance ball meets rolling stool in this innovative design. It adjusts from 18 to 23 inches, so it’s appropriate for most older students. The wheels lock into place for safety. Buy it: Gaiam Balance Ball Chair Stool 30. 3-in-1 Flexible Seating Clever flexible seating options aren’t just for wee ones! Vidget’s 3-in-1 pieces come in a variety of sizes, so you can use them from pre-K through high school. Each one can be a chair, desk, or stool. One teacher’s opinion: “The most popular flexible seating option in my classroom! Bought the 14-inch and is the perfect size for 5-to-8-year-olds! It is so versatile and the students have no trouble turning it or managing how they want to use it. Very sturdy, very appealing, and worth every penny! Love the Vidget!!” Buy it: Vidget 3-in-1 Active and Flexible Seating 31. Lightweight Foam Library Trio This set of three foam cushion seats is ideal for creating a reading nook. Tuck them among shelves filled with picture books to give young learners a place to cozy up while they turn the pages. The vinyl surface is made to wipe clean in a snap. Buy it: Children’s Factory Library Trio, Set of 3 32. Adapta-Bench These smart benches double as tables for smaller students. When set up as tables, they can also serve as benches for adults. So many uses! Buy it: Adapta-Bench 33. Inflatable Ball Chair These ball chairs have a sleek, modern look with removable legs that glide across floors. When fully inflated, the chair measures about 23 inches high, making this a better choice for older kids. Buy it: Safco Inflatable Zenergy Ball Chair 34. TiltED Seats Tilted stools are the way to allow students to move back and forth and in a circular motion without disrupting anyone. And there are lots of bright colors to choose from. Buy it: TiltED Seats 35. Wave Seat We love this wave seat because it’s easy to flip from one seating choice to another. The material and light weight make it a great classroom-to-outdoor option. And we think it just looks cool. Buy it: Wave Seat 36. 3-Piece Stool Set These multi-height stools give students options for which height of stool they want, and they would look great at the back of a morning meeting space or reading corner. Buy it: Softzone Colorful 3-Piece Stool Set What are your favorite flexible seating options for the classroom? Come share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook. Plus, check out teacher desk alternatives to help you get organized & free up space .. You Might Also Like Flexible Seating on a Budget? You Can Do It! When you want those coffeehouse vibes but are on a budget. Continue Reading Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256 My Storyboards Seating Chart Templates Customize seating chart templates. If you're assigning this to your students, copy the worksheet to your account and save. When creating an assignment, just select it as a template! What is a Seating Chart? It is a diagram or visual representation that displays the arrangement of seats or assigned locations in a venue such as a theater, concert hall, classroom, or event space. It helps organizers, event planners, or venues manage and organize seating arrangements for guests or attendees. Arrangements can vary depending on the type of event or venue. They typically include rows and columns, with each seat or area designated by a number, letter, or another unique identifier. The chart may also indicate different sections or areas within the venue, such as VIP sections, general admission areas, or accessible seating. What are Seating Chart Worksheets? They are helpful for teachers in classroom management, memorizing names and in giving students a sense of security and ownership of their space within the room. These templates put a fun and creative spin on a basic classroom procedure! Typical Uses of Seating Charts Seating charts serve several purposes: Organization: They help ensure an orderly flow of people entering and exiting the venue and assist with crowd management. Ticketing and Reservations: They are often used to assign specific seats to ticket holders or to reserve seats for particular individuals or groups. Guest Guidance: They provide attendees with a clear visual reference to locate their assigned seats, making it easier for them to find their designated areas. Accessibility: They can include information about wheelchair-accessible seating, designated areas for individuals with disabilities, or other special accommodations. Event Planning: They aid event planners in determining the capacity of the venue, optimizing the use of space, and ensuring a comfortable experience for attendees. Seating Charts in the Classroom Seating charts play a crucial role in creating a well-organized classroom environment. By utilizing seating plan templates, teachers can assign seats and create a visual representation of the classroom table or desk arrangement. These templates allow for customization with text boxes and color coding, making it easy to personalize the plan. Students benefit from assigned seats as it provides them with a sense of security and ownership of their designated space. They also support classroom management by helping teachers memorize student names and facilitate smooth transitions. Additionally, seating plans are valuable for substitute teachers as they ensure continuity and help maintain established classroom expectations. One of the key advantages of these plans is their ability to promote engagement. By strategically placing students in proximity to one another, teachers can encourage peer learning and cooperative activities. Grouping those who work well together or pairing individuals with different strengths fosters collaboration and interaction, allowing students to learn from one another and deepen their understanding of the subject matter. They also enable differentiation of instruction, ensuring that individual needs are met. By placing students strategically, teachers can provide targeted support to those who require extra assistance, or challenge others by placing them near resources or peers who can enhance their learning experience. This personalized approach enhances student engagement and fosters a sense of ownership over their learning. Furthermore, seating plans facilitate smooth classroom transitions. With a designated arrangement, children know exactly where to go and sit when they enter the classroom, minimizing disruptions and saving valuable instructional time. This becomes particularly important in the presence of a substitute teacher, as the seating plan provides clear guidance on where everyone should be located, maintaining a sense of routine and order. Seating charts can be easily shared through online platforms or by displaying them in the classroom. With various designs, layouts, tables, and diagrams available, teachers can create visually appealing and printable seating charts that enhance classroom organization and communication. Why are Seating Chart Templates Important and How are They Best Used? Using an online seating chart allows teachers to copy the templates and enter their names or rearrange where necessary. They can even change colors and fonts to suit their individual style! They can then project onto the board or post it on the wall so that students can view them as they arrive for class. Teachers could also keep their printed charts in a binder to help keep track of which arrangements work best. Students can get involved in the action by creating their own seating chart as a community building activity! Benefits of Using Seating Chart Templates Having seating charts is beneficial for many reasons: Classroom Organization: They promote a structured learning environment by strategically placing students based on various factors, fostering engagement, and managing behavior. Efficient Event Planning: For events or gatherings, these charts aid in managing attendees, ensuring a smooth flow of people, and accommodating special requirements. Time-Saving: Utilizing templates saves considerable time compared to creating arrangements from scratch. Personalized Space: Seating chart worksheets allow kids to have a sense of ownership over their designated seats or areas in the classroom. They can personalize their chart by writing their names, decorating their assigned spaces, or adding any additional details. Preferences and Comfort: Students can communicate their preferences, such as sitting near a friend, facing the front, or being in a quieter area. This helps create a comfortable and conducive learning environment, promoting student engagement and well-being. Group Work: These worksheets can facilitate group work and cooperative learning. Class members can visually identify their group members and their assigned arrangements, making it easier to collaborate and interact during class activities and projects. Peer Relationships: Seating chart worksheets provide an opportunity for students to get to know their classmates better by visually representing their arrangements. This can foster positive relationships, communication, and social interaction within the classroom. Tips for Making a Seating Chart Choose a Seating Chart Maker or a Seating Chart Creator: Look for a reliable and user-friendly seating chart generator that allows you to create a seating chart free for your classroom. There are many free options available online. Gather Necessary Information: Collect a list of names and any additional information that may influence arrangements, such as learning styles, behavior, or academic needs. Determine the Layout and Size: Consider the physical layout of your classroom and the number of tables or desks available. Decide on the arrangement of tables or desks, taking into account factors like the size of the classroom and the number of individuals in each class. Select a Table Seating Chart Template: Look for a suitable editable table seating chart template that matches the layout of your classroom. This will serve as a foundation for creating your chart. Customize the Seating Chart: Use the seating chart organizer or maker to input names into the template to make your own seating chart. You can easily drag and drop student names to their assigned place. Consider color-coding or using different symbols to represent different groups or classes. Arrange Students Strategically: Strategically place children based on various factors such as behavior, learning styles, or academic needs. Group those who work well together or pair students with different strengths to encourage collaboration and interaction. Review and Adjust: Take a step back and review what you have created. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the seating arrangement is balanced and meets the needs of your classroom. How to Make a Seating Chart Choose one of the premade templates. We have lots of templates to choose from. Take a look at our seating chart example for inspiration! Click on “Copy Template” Once you do this, you will be directed to the storyboard creator. Give Your Worksheet a Name! Be sure to call it something related to the topic so that you can easily find it in the future. Edit Your Worksheet This is where you will include directions, specific images, and make any aesthetic changes that you would like. The options are endless! Click "Save and Exit" When you are finished, click this button in the lower right hand corner to exit your storyboard. From here you can print, download as a PDF, attach it to an assignment and use it digitally, and more! Even More Storyboard That Resources and Free Printables Classroom Posters KWL & KWHL Chart Template Table Worksheet Templates T-Chart Templates Bell Ringer Templates Happy Creating! Frequently Asked Questions About Seating Charts How can a classroom seating chart promote inclusivity and accommodate students with specific needs. They can be used to promote inclusivity and accommodate learners with specific needs. By strategically placing kids from different backgrounds, cultures, or abilities near one another, you can foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment that encourages cross-cultural understanding and empathy. Additionally, those with specific needs, such as those with hearing impairments or attention-related challenges, may require specific seating arrangements. Collaborate with relevant support staff, such as special education teachers or specialists, to ensure appropriate seating accommodations for these students, fostering an inclusive and supportive classroom environment. What are the benefits of flexible seating and how can it accommodate students who prefer to work alone? Flexible options can accommodate those who prefer to work alone while still fostering collaboration. Providing alternative seating choices such as standing desks, floor seating, or designated quiet areas for independent work allows kids to have autonomy over their learning environment. This approach offers the benefits of increased student choice and collaboration while also catering to individual preferences for independent work. Striking a balance between assigned seats and flexible seating can create a sense of routine, minimize distractions, and facilitate classroom management while promoting student engagement and comfort. How can a custom seating chart benefit classroom management with substitute teachers and do I need to assign seats for every class activity? They are a valuable tool for substitute teachers as they provide a clear seating arrangement, making it easier to manage the classroom and identify who's who in the classroom. They ensure continuity and help maintain established classroom expectations and routines in the absence of the regular teacher. However, the necessity of assigning seats for every class activity depends on the nature of the activity and your teaching goals. Flexible arrangements can promote collaboration and interaction, while other activities may require more focused individual work. Pricing for Schools & Districts Limited Time 5 Teachers for One Year 1 Hour of Virtual PD 30 Day Money Back Guarantee • New Customers Only • Full Price After Introductory Offer • Access is for 1 Calendar Year Thousands of images Custom layouts, scenes, characters And so much more!! Create a Storyboard Introductory School Offer 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. New Customers Only. Full Price After Introductory Offer. Access is for 1 Calendar Year Generating a Quote This is usually pretty quick :) Quote Sent! Email Sent to 108 IMAGES Classroom Seating Chart Whiteboard Classroom Seating Arrangements Horizontal Classroom Seating Chart in Illustrator, PDF LupSeat: a smart seat assignment generator Classroom Seating Plan Templates FREE 10+ Classroom Seating Chart Samples in PDF COMMENTS The secret to classroom seating arrangements: What's right for you? This arrangement is great for large classes or small classrooms because it saves space. The secret to classroom seating arrangements - How to decide what's right for you. 14. By purposefully planning your groups, you can build upon student strengths and use the format as a part of your behavior management plan. Classroom Setup and Seating Arrangement Ideas (Free Charts) Herringbone. What It Looks Like: On both the right and left side of the classroom, position rows of two to four desks equally spaced apart and angled slightly toward the center of the room. The arrangement resembles the skeleton of a fish. Best for: Focusing on the teacher or board with occasional group discussions. 12 Classroom Seating Plans & Charts for Teachers 10. The Runway. The runway seating plan is similar to the horseshoe, but there is not a back row. One of the best features of this seating plan is it splits the class into two distinct groups. This allows for competitions and debates without too much change to the classroom environment. Classroom Seating Arrangements This classroom seating arrangement is historically common in colleges and universities, minimizing student-student communication and largely supporting a "sage on the stage" learning environment. The highest communication ... Students may be added to breakout rooms manually, automatically from pre-assignment, or by self-selection. ... 19 Classroom seating arrangements fit for your teaching 19 types of seating arrangements for classrooms. 1. Pairs. Let's start with one of the most used bench seating arrangements: Pairs. Pair up students and let them work individual or together. It's more fun with two but still gives you a nice overview. In this way, students can get their heads together when needed. Perfecting Classroom Seating Arrangements The art of the seating chart: Perfecting classroom seating arrangements. Getting a new seating assignment as a student was always nerve-wracking. It determined how annoyed you'd be, how much you'd talk, and how much work you'd get done. The ponderous weight of your happiness hinged on where you sat. Now, as a teacher, classroom seating ... 8 Classroom Seating Arrangements to Help You Plan Your Layout 1. Traditional Rows or Columns. This is the most common seating arrangement, where desks are lined up in rows or columns facing the front of the classroom. This setup is great for focused individual work and direct instruction from the teacher, but it limits student-to-student interaction. 2. Do Seating Arrangements and Assignments = Classroom Management? Now might be a good time to take a long look at your classroom seating arrangement. Advice and opinions about classroom arrangements and seating assignments abound -- and Education World explores the possibilities. Included: Tips from Fred Jones on how to get the most out of classroom arrangements. Arranging a classroom seems simple enough. A Strategic Approach to Seating Arrangements in High School If you haven't, then you should know that in a class of 30 students with 30 seats, probability tells you there are 30! (30 factorial, or 2.6 x 10 32) different ways they could be seated—more ways if you are like many teachers who have over 30 students per class. Even if you're fortunate enough to have only 15 young minds to teach in a ... 8 Classroom Seating Arrangements Teachers Love Flexible seating gurus say that this form of classroom 'un-seating' better reflects the hyper-connected and ever-changing world we live in. That it inherently requires students to master skills such as flexibility, creativity, problem-solving and collaboration. This kind of seating arrangement is an absolute classroom change. If you are ... The Comprehensible Classroom Zero prep seat assignment. To make it a little easier on yourself and a little more fun for your students, try using my method. ... Tape the first set of cards to the seating locations in your classroom (on desks, chairs, etc.). Time to assign the seats! As students enter the room, hand them a card from Set 2. Classroom Seating Chart Templates (Editable) Click on the links to edit the templates in Seating Chart Maker (free trial). In the app, you can add or remove seats, change the layout, seat students by dragging and dropping, and more. Description: Facilitates group work and collaboration. Groups of 6, 24 seats. Groups of 4, 24 seats. Seating Chart Maker Seating Chart Maker simplifies the creation and management of classroom seating plans. Quickly generate new arrangements and reuse room templates and student lists with ease. Re-use your floor plans and student lists. Re-use saved rooms and student lists to create multiple seating plans for different classes or periods effortlessly. Free Printable Classroom Seating Charts Classroom Logistics: Seating charts can assist with logistical aspects of teaching, such as distributing assignments, managing materials, and organizing classroom activities efficiently. Parent-Teacher Conferences : When meeting with parents or guardians during conferences, teachers can use seating charts to point out where a student typically ... Make Assigning Seats More Fun With This Simple Trick It is as simple as following these 5 steps. 1. Choose a category, and make a list. First, choose a category, like "colors," "shapes," "artists," or "art movements.". I like to keep my categories related to art, but you could really do anything. Then, make a list of things that belong in that category. For example, "red, blue ... Free Classroom seating plan generator Drag and drop to re-arrange seats, or automatically position by a-z (last name), randomly, or by grouping/distributing. e.g. you can sit all 'A' grade students together, and further split them by gender. Directly edit people's names on the seating plan, or click to add further people/positions in the classroom. Classroom Seating Chart Click on the button below to open the classroom seating chart maker. Click to add desks, chairs, blackboard, storage, etc. Drag each item to wherever you want it to appear. To add the students' names to the seating layout chart, click on "add text". Once you are happy with the classroom diagram, download it. Free Seating Plan Generator Names here (one per line): Jo King Rose Bush Miles Apart Molly Coddle Warren Peace Dan Druff Brighton Early Mal Function Carrie Oakey Omar Gosh Robyn Banks Gene Pool Annette Kirton Jack Pott Celia Fate Adam Zapel Minnie Driver Charity Case Walter Melon Peg Baskett. Generate free seating plans online. Ideal for classrooms, weddings, dinners ... Smart Seating Charts: The Key to Better Student Performance? Software that guides educators through the process of assigning classroom seating based on reasonable conclusions about the students. ClassCharts is available to all teachers for free and allows for collaboration between classrooms and among teachers. It gives students the best chance at success, no matter what classroom they are in. Getting Organized: Seating-Chart Apps Smart Seat ($4.99): Create seating charts using a grid, record and export attendance, choose random students for class participation, make student notes and store student photos. Easily export charts as PDFs to give to substitutes. Users can also export students records to e-mail. A number of apps let teachers manage their seating charts ... 36 Best Flexible Seating Options for Your Classroom Amazon. 3. Kids Balance Ball. Also known as yoga or exercise balls, these giant balls allow kids to gently bounce while seated and encourage good posture. A stability ball is one of the most affordable flexible seating options. Buy it: Gaiam Kids Balance Ball Chair. Amazon. 4. Balance Ball Chair. PDF Teachers and seating arrangements and assignments: a qualitative study A great deal of research has been done on classroom seating arrangements and assignments (Barrett & Zhang, 2013; Fernandes et al., 2011; Van den Berg & Cillessen, 2015; Wannarka & Ruhl, 2008). This research tends to ignore the impact of teachers' considerations of their positionality and intentionality with regard to classroom seating. Free Seating Chart Templates: Chart Maker for the Classroom Customize the Seating Chart: Use the seating chart organizer or maker to input names into the template to make your own seating chart. You can easily drag and drop student names to their assigned place. Consider color-coding or using different symbols to represent different groups or classes. essay homework paper phd review speech study thesis