Magazine Project

1

3/30/2019 Flexible Seating in
the Classroom

By Morgan Hymas

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY-IDAHO

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Flexible Seating
Morgan Hymas

Ed 243-01
David Marshall
March 30, 2019
Brigham Young University – Idaho

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Table of Contents
1. Cover Page………………………………………………………...1
2. Title Page………………………………………………………….2
3. Table of Contents………………………………………………….3
4. Abstract……………………………………………………………4
5. Author Page……………………………………………………….5
6. Flexible Seating Article……………………………………………6
7. References………………………………………………………....9
8. Stakeholder Interviews and Responses…………………………..10
9. Back Page………………………………………………………...13

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Abstract
Flexible seating in the classroom is becoming a more popular sight in classrooms across the
United States. There are many positive and negative aspects to why a teacher should or shouldn’t
use flexible seating in their classroom. Some examples of good aspects are health benefits, better
communication, focused on student learning, more space in the classroom, and it puts more
responsibility on the student and less on the teacher. Some negative aspects of flexible seating
are expensive seating, can be unsafe, and the teacher must have great classroom management
skills for it to work properly. The ways that each of the negative aspects can be resolved are also
discussed. There is also help for teachers who are deciding if flexible seating is good for them
and their classes. Not every teacher will be able to do flexible seating, but it is a good option for
teachers who are able to do it.

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Author Page
Morgan Hymas was born in Rexburg, Idaho on November 1. She
is the oldest of three children. She has a seventeen-year-old brother
and a fourteen-year-old sister. She is studying Elementary
Education at Brigham Young University – Idaho with an emphasis
on Math Education. Hymas likes to spend time reading, hiking,
hammocking, dancing, spending time with her friends, travelling
and going new places, cooking, baking, and doing service for
others. She moved to Utah in 2004 and graduated from Ridgeline High School in May 2018. The
summer after she graduated from high school, she began her education at Brigham Young
University – Idaho. She overrode her first semester so she could begin in the Fall semester and get
a head start on her education. She is currently working as a receptionist at Upper Valley Resource
and Counseling and as a nanny for a child with special needs. She can’t wait to graduate and get
started on teaching full-time as an Elementary School Teacher. She is energetic and ready to take
on any challenges that come her way in teaching. Hymas has wanted to be a teacher since she was
in first grade. She has always worked well with young children. When she was in middle school
and high school, her two younger siblings always needed help with math, so she was always
teaching and trying to help them learn. She also had the opportunity to intern in a first-grade class
and decided that elementary education was a good fit for what she loved to do. She believes in
teaching individual students and working hard to help them achieve their goals in life. She likes
the idea of having a progressive style class where students learn through their experiences and by
figuring concepts and ideas out on their own. She wants to have a flexible classroom where
students can choose where they sit and sit where they are able to be comfortable and focus. (319)

Flexible Seating in the Classroom 6

Flexible classroom seating is teacher still has control over the classroom,
but students are
becoming a more common sight in more compliant
when asked to do
classrooms across the United States. Many work because they
are comfortable
teachers are turning to flexible classrooms where they are.
Students know that
because they have seen how much it has they can sit where

helped other teachers and their students to they are comfortable if they are not being
disruptive in class.
learn better. There are many positive and few
Students can burn calories, use up
negative aspects of flexible seating that excess energy, improve metabolism, increase
oxygen flow, and gain better core strength
should be addressed before you make your and posture in this kind of classroom setting.
Flexible seating can be comfortable and keep
decision to change your classroom. students engaged. Yoga balls, standing tables,
and core disks are examples of seating that
Positive Aspects of Flexible Seating keeps students moving and burning off
energy while still allowing them to work on
Flexible classroom seating has many their assignments.

benefits for the students and for the teacher. Many students enjoy being able to sit
by their friends and share what they are
One of the most common comments about learning with them. Flexible seating can
increase communication, collaboration, and
this kind of seating is it gives students more community in the classroom. “Our classroom
environments should be conducive to open
choice and responsibility for their own collaboration, communication, creativity, and
critical thinking. This simply cannot be done
learning. One teacher said, “I have given when kids are sitting in rows of desks all day”
(Delzer, K.). When students are comfortable
control of my room to my students. They where they are, they feel more open to share
their thoughts and feelings with those around
choose where they want to sit daily. There is them.

a variety of high, medium and low seating, Other reasons why a flexible
classroom is good for students are it provides
including a couch, seating cushions, camp sensory input for the child, it is fun for the
student, it can create space for the teacher in
chairs, small rugs and stand-up tables. the classroom, and students will be more
prepared to enter class and get to work.
Students choose where they sit daily, but

wherever they choose to sit, it has to help

them be their best learning self. Students

move the furniture based on their needs; even

laying on the floor is acceptable, and sitting

by friends is allowed. If a student can’t abide

by these rules, I simply move his or her

comfy chair somewhere else, and students

also move their own seating when there is an

issue” (Almer, K.). When students are

allowed to choose

where they sit in

class, they are

given

responsibility to

work where they

choose. The

Students need to 7
have fun and try
new things. When to get cubbies or storage for their students to
flexible seating is put their papers, pencils, and crayons in.
introduced, the There can be arguments over certain seats in
teacher should the classroom, but most teachers find this
encourage the easy to fix because they can assign specific
students to try out days for students to sit on those chairs or ask
each kind of students to take responsibility to control their
flexible seating to own arguments. There can be safety concerns
see where the with students falling off the yoga balls or
student is most tripping over low tables. One teacher
comfortable. This encourages the student to suggests to “Discuss your plans for your
try new things and fill their receptors with classroom with your principal. If you have
new sensations. The teacher has more space his/her support determine how you will
because desks take up a lot of space in a communicate the design to your students’
classroom. When the desks are taken out and parents. Have them sign permission slips for
smaller, more contained furniture is put in, it their children to use the alternative seating
clears up a lot of space in the classroom for arrangements. Spell out exactly what those
students and the teacher to move around the seats include specifically” (Clutter-Free
classroom. Finally, it helps students to be Classroom). Many public-school classrooms
more prepared to enter the classroom ready to only have their carpets cleaned a few times a
work. Students will be excited to come to year so carpets in classrooms can become
class and sit in their favorite seat to learn. gross and parents have concerns with their
Negative Aspects of Flexible Seating and students sitting on the floor. Teachers have
How to Fix Them remedied this problem with having rugs or
low chairs for students to sit on instead of the
Although there are many positive actual floor.

points for flexible seating, there are also a The biggest concern for flexible
seating is it seems unstructured. It takes a
few negative points that draw attention away teacher with great classroom management
skills to be able to run this kind of classroom.
from it being the perfect classroom set up. It If a teacher does not have good classroom
management skills, it can be difficult to keep
can be expensive to set up a classroom like
the class
this. Many teachers try to search garage sales focused

and thrift shops for good quality and less on their
work
expensive furniture such as couches and while
still
standing tables. It can be as expensive or
allowing
inexpensive as you decide. Another difficult them to sit where they would like to. Students

thing about this classroom set up is the
teacher has to find places for all the students’
supplies because they don’t have desks to

store them in anymore. Many teachers have

have to be responsible for their work and 8

much of that depends on the teacher teaching because they can sit somewhere where they
can burn energy and focus better on their
them that skill. work. If you, the teacher, have great
Is Flexible Seating a Good Option for Your classroom management skills and can teach
Classroom? students the skills they need to succeed in this
type of classroom, then it could be a benefit
Many teachers each year are moving to your students. “No one is naive enough to
into flexible classrooms because they have a believe that flexible seating simply happens.
lot of benefits to them. Flexible seating Up front, teacher must establish some new
classrooms don’t work for everyone, but it is classroom
up to you to decide if it is right for you and management
your class. “If it was simply swapping desks tools. That
for chairs, every contemporary teacher on the includes
planet would consider it, but there are factors creating a
to consider such as: age of the students, system to
teacher’s classroom management skills, any make seating choice fair and nondisruptive”
special need students, which may have (System, S.). If you have large class sized
trouble, and of course, the dreaded budget” and need more space in your classroom, you
Healy, M.). Flexible seating can be a benefit can try flexible seating and replace desks
if you have students that have a hard time with bean bag chairs or couches that can fit
sitting in desks and working on assignments more students in less space. If these benefits
because they are uncomfortable. Students sound good to you, then it might be a good
with Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention idea to check with your principal to see if
Deficit Hyperactive Disorder often have he/she thinks it is also a good idea.
more benefits from this type of classroom

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References
Almer, K. (2019, February 06). Top 3 Reasons to Use Flexible Seating in the Classroom.

Retrieved March 04, 2019, from https://ideas.demco.com/blog/top-3-reasons-use-
flexible-seating-classroom/
Clutter-Free Classroom. (2016, September). 6 Problems with Flexible Seating in the Classroom.
Retrieved March 04, 2019, from https://www.cfclassroom.com/2016/09/flexible-seating-
in-the-classroom.html
Delzer, K. (2016, April 22). Flexible Seating and Student-Centered Classroom Redesign.
Retrieved March 04, 2019, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/flexible-seating-student-
centered-classroom-kayla-delzer

Healy, M. (2017, October 23). New Classroom Trend: Flexible Seating. Retrieved March 04,
2019, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/creative-
development/201710/new-classroom-trend-flexible-seating

System, S. (Ed.). (2018, April 25). Top 10 Benefits of a Flexible-Seating Classroom. Retrieved
March 04, 2019, from https://smithsystem.com/smithfiles/2017/11/29/top-10-benefits-
flexible-seating-classroom/

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Interviews with Stakeholders

Brittaini Milner larger classes initially though what happens is that
Social Worker, Upper Valley Resource and everyone tends to gravitate towards the same seat
Counseling Center regardless of class size.
Q: What kind of flexible seating do you use in your Q: What are the benefits and drawbacks of flexible
classroom? seating?
A: We have three couches that we sit on during our A: I don’t see any particular benefits or drawbacks. I
group in class. We do our best to get comfortable and suppose benefits would be putting people in certain
sit in a circle if possible. places based on their small group discussions, but I
Q: How does classroom size affect flexible seating in don’t find it that disruptive to set up the groups the way
the classroom? I do.
A: There are roughly about 8 kids during the group, Q: How does flexible seating impact how the student
and it makes a difference to have enough seats on the learns?
couches for the students to sit, so that everyone is A: I don’t know that it does. Probably the only thing
included. If there are more kids, we all squish together that would make it work is that you could take the less
to make sure there is room to include everyone. The prepared students (who tend to gravitate towards the
room itself is pretty small as it’s in an outside trailer, back of the classroom in a vain attempt to hide) and
but I feel like the feeling is more intimate and personal place them where they could be better supervised and
there. learn better.
Q: What are the benefits and drawbacks of flexible Q: What would you change about flexible seating in
seating? the classroom?
A: To be honest, I only see benefits. The kids are A: Not sure I would. The way I do it has been fine.
relaxed and some of the couch seats have leg rests that
they can lift their legs up. The kids show a great more Mary Huyett
deal of attention when they are in this setting and I’m Elementary School Teacher, Lincoln Elementary
sitting with them (more of an informal setting) then if School
I’m up in the front teaching (formal). Q: What kind of flexible seating do you use in your
Q: How does flexible seating impact how the student classroom?
learns? A: I use banana chairs, a sofa, cushioned seating,
A: The informal setting allows students to feel bean bags, and standing options as well with rolling
comfortable enough and less anxious to share with tables that can be moved throughout the classroom. I
their peers. I get students that open up more and share also use "sit spots" as a general area to gather as a
who don’t normally want to. By creating the circle, it group. We have "scoop chairs" and inflated sensory
allows everyone to be included. seats. I have soft rugs and yoga mats and balls as well.
Q: What would you change about flexible seating in Q: How does classroom size affect flexible seating in
the classroom? the classroom?
A: I think that all classrooms should try some sort of A: I've been fortunate to have a rather large classroom,
flexible seating at least once! There is great research so there are a lot of options for where seating can be
stating that this type of seating helps the overall arranged. If your question is in regard to student body
learning environment. I would love to try getting numbers, I have a small class (18 students), but can
cushions or balls as well to see if that changes easily take more without having to move in another
anything. desk. The kids are good about teaching the classroom
management for using the seating.
Eric Gee Q: What are the benefits and drawbacks of flexible
Professor, Brigham Young University - Idaho seating?
Q: What kind of flexible seating do you use in your A: Benefits: I love the atmosphere flexible seating
classroom? gives my classroom. It feels like home. In the research
A: I generally allow students to set wherever they I did prior to making this change in my classroom, I
like. I’ve never had required seats in either my larger discovered an article that pointed out "It's pretty
or smaller classes. pathetic that our classrooms look the same as they did
Q: How does classroom size affect flexible seating in 70 years ago." I completely agree. The children are
the classroom? different than they were even just 20 years ago. They
A: While I don’t assign students (so I don’t have a are anxious for a stimulating environment that
point of comparison), I think it would be harder for the encourages movement to bring oxygen to the brain. I

realize that I have more transition time than most 11
teachers who use desks, because my students have to
walk across the room to get supplies sometimes. But Q: What are the benefits and drawbacks of flexible
those few minutes of movement make such a huge seating?
difference in the performance of my students, A: Benefits would be working with the way the
encouraging greater concentration with the simple act students work best based on how comfortable they are
of moving a little bit more than sticking their hand in in where they sit. Drawbacks would be the students
a desk to pull out a notebook or a pencil. being too comfortable and getting lazy.
Cons: The soft furniture is difficult to maintain. The Q: How does flexible seating impact how the student
bean bag chairs need filling every now and then. If a learns?
student soils seating, I have to wash it and/or replace A: Students can thrive when they are happy with their
it. I've had to create a schedule for using the banana learning atmosphere, every kid learns in a different
chairs because it is such a popular seat in the class. way, flexible seating can work with every student’s
Otherwise they would fight over who sat there. needs.
Because students don't have accountability over a Q: What would you change about flexible seating in
specific space like a desk, we have had to make it a the classroom?
community responsibility to help clean up messes A: I think talking to parents to find out where their
when we aren't sure who left the mess. In the past, I've child likes to study at home would help the teacher
had some students misuse the furniture and become know if changes needed to make to meet each child’s
lazy in their work instead of productive. need in the classroom.
Q: How does flexible seating impact how the student
learns? Tricia Galer
A: I've noticed that autonomy is an important factor in Elementary School Teacher, Kennedy Elementary
a student's experience at school. We like to choose for School
ourselves. When a student is given freedom to sit how Q: What kind of flexible seating do you use in your
and wherever they like, they are given a sense of classroom?
freedom and ultimately an independent desire to work A: In my classroom I have a couch, 2 small floor
hard and work well. I know that I like to be couches, wobble stools, a table with lowered legs and
comfortable when I'm reading a book, or working on pillows and a rubber wobble seat cushion. I also have
something. I'd rather sit comfortably. When a student a taller table with child-size stools. At this table
is comfortable while working, he or she is more students often choose to stand. Students can stand at
effective. I also really like the sense of community and counters as well as sit on or lay down on counters.
collaboration that exists in my classroom. Students are Students sometimes sit on the carpet that I use for
not resigned to an isolated space, but rather whole-group instruction. I have tried yoga balls in a
encouraged to mingle and belong together. seat frame as well. I also have a lop desk and a turtle
Q: What would you change about flexible seating in shell seat that student can rock and spin in. I have a
the classroom? small end table with some IKEA chairs that two
A: If funding were available, I would provide students may sit at to work.
additional seating options in the classroom besides the Q: How does classroom size affect flexible seating in
ones that I have already. I would encourage other the classroom?
teachers to integrate even a few options into their A: I'm unsure if you mean the size of my class or the
classroom to try it out. I think we should shake the physical classroom. As far as size, I have a really big
name tags that tie a student down to a certain area and classroom, so it's been easy to create spaces for
give them the flexibility to choose where they want to different seating. I also allow students to move seating
sit. during the day to suit their needs. I can't speak to
variable class sizes however as my student population
Rebecca Hymas has always been between 18-21 students. I might
Stay at home mom anticipate that with a very large class there might be
Q: What kind of flexible seating do you use in your more competition for popular seats or not enough
classroom? space for lots of variable seating if you still want to
A: None of my kids/students have flexible seating in use tables. I like tables, but some classrooms don't
their classroom right now. have any.
Q: How does classroom size affect flexible seating in Q: What are the benefits and drawbacks of flexible
the classroom? seating?
A: I think smaller class sizes would work best in A: Flexible seating has allowed my students to get
flexible seating classrooms. more of the movement that young bodies need during
the day, as well as regulating their behavior and
developing self-awareness and discipline. Few adults

would choose to sit in one spot all day long. I love that 12
this allows students lots of options during the day and
can be adapted to their needs. It can become chaotic A: I'm not sure that flexible seating affects how a
if not well-managed. Students need to know how to use student learns. I do think that what matters more is a
seats properly, as well as the expectations for work flexible mindset about children's learning. A child who
and noise level when using flexible seating. I needs movement is not going to learn as well sitting in
occasionally have to move students who are not a hard-back, traditional school chair all day. Whether
working and have not made a good seating choice. I you have flexible seating or not, the teacher needs to
also have enough seats at tables for all of my students provide opportunities for this student to discharge
as there are times where they all need to be in a central their movement in a way that is respectful of the child
location for particular activities such as art, science of and their learning needs. Anecdotally, I think children
certain instruction. Also, not all students can handle love the autonomy of flexible seating and therefore
flexible seating. I have some students that need to they may be more engaged and receptive to learning.
know exactly where to sit every time. For these A calm, focused and comfortable child is a child who
students I assign seats in the classroom or provide a may be more ready to learn.
desk. It's important to look for these needs early in the Q: What would you change about flexible seating in
school year. Also, a slow release of flexible seating the classroom?
that allows students to become comfortable with and A: If you mean what would I change about flexible
proficient at meeting flex seating expectations is seating in my own classroom, I would add some
important. For the teacher, many flexible seating different seating options that are on the market. One
options might be paid for with your own resources, so thing I've learned is to observe the dynamic and
it's important to consider this as well as admin support maturity of the class before introducing flexible
before jumping in. seating to them. This year I assigned seats at tables
Q: How does flexible seating impact how the student until I knew their personalities and could judge what
learns? was best for them. It's important to pull options that
aren't working for your particular class.

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Flexible Seating

Find out if flexible seating is
right for your classroom in

this issue of Teaching
Trends Magazine!