Room Configuration 

Our philosophy...

Flexible seating is essential to a customized, learner-centered environment, and it is about more than simply having a variety of different options for students to choose in the classroom.  When used appropriately, it heightens collaborative learning and prioritizes students’ needs concerning the environment in which they learn.  It supports models of small group instruction. Varying instructional strategies work to enhance student learning. Along the same lines, varying seating arrangements should be considered depending on the lesson, activity, and/or student learning styles.

Flexible seating requires that seating charts, which are positive tools for classroom structure and management, also be flexible in nature. Below are four options teachers might consider when creating flexible seating charts.

Additional Resources:

• Recap the BCPS Lighthouse Journey
• Creating Learning Zones by Edutopia
• Tips and Tricks for Redesigning Your Classroom by Edutopia
• Wow Worthy Learning Spaces by Edutopia 
• Rethinking Classroom Design by Alice Keeler
• Designing Your Classroom Space by Erin Klein
• Video from NY Hall of Science 

Interactive Infographic:

Click on each component for examples 

or download and print a copy

Top 5 Things to Consider for Room Arrangement:

1. Be flexible- Have multiple ways to arrange student desks based on the task.  Have students practice moving their desks into each configuration.
2. Be creative- Rethink the way your class is set up.  Do you have learning spaces for students to work in small groups? large groups? independently? Are there learning spaces that don’t involve desks and chairs?
3. Be responsive- Listen to your students and change plans accordingly.  Take advantage of student interests and ideas.  Allow students to form groups and choose their learning space.
4. Make good use of space- Place learning materials in a location that all students can see and access easily.  Create visuals for around the room in collaboration with students so that they are useful and serve a purpose.
5. Avoid "the stage"- Avoid putting yourself "on stage" in the front of the room.  Create an environment where you can move freely around the room and arrange furniture and materials so that you can collaborate with students and facilitate their learning experience.

Classroom (Device) Management

Strategies:

• Technology Management

• Headphone Usage

• Sample Classroom Charging Station Sign

• Sample Headphone Labels

• Sample Headphone Storage Labels 

Planning and Organization:

• Planning and Organization

• Collaborative Group Cards and Cues (Black & White)

• Collaborative Group Cards and Cues (Color)

• Group Management Cards (Black & White)

• Group Management Cards (Color)

• Group Management Cards (JPEG File) 

• Netiquette Guidelines

• Tic-Tac-Toe Wixie Templates:

• Tic-Tac-Toe Instructions

• Meadow Theme

• Desert Theme

• Coral Reef Theme  

For more ideas, check out how to Roll Out The Learner Centered Environment.