Seating Arrangements in the Classroom Classroom success for teachers and

Classroom success for teachers and students encompasses classroom management, classroom discipline and seating arrangements; which are all dependent upon seating arrangement styles. In order to determine which seating arrangement style (SAS) is best for a class one must look at the reasons or the importance of a particular SAS.

SAS are important for classroom control and management, student security, student interaction and socialization, ease of teaching, special needs of students such as seeing or hearing, and are a good way of memorizing students' names in the beginning. There are many factors in determining a SAS.

Prior to selecting a specific SAS a teacher must determine how the class will be taught and which subject. Will there be a math class where every student will need to see the board most of the time or is it a music class where most students will not need to see the board at all. Does the teacher feel he/she will need absolute control over the class at all times or will there be group activities that will require a little less control. Does the teacher like group work, cooperative learning, class discussions, teams, or pairs. What is the class size. Once these factors are considered there are several SAS to choose from (not including the traditional rows and columns style) that can be modified during the year. The Dance Floor Style is good for activities, meetings, and instructional games. This arrangement allows for all students to be in the front of the room, depending on class size; however, a second row may be added. This arrangement allows for the teacher to almost be on a one-to-one basis and allows complete access to all students and allows all students access to the teacher, the board, and other materials that are 'up front'. This style is also known as the horseshoe or half- moon.

The Runway Model Style makes the teacher the 'model' that he/she is. The teacher is the model for behavior, speech, and respect. This SAS fits more students into a smaller space, it is very practical, and lends itself to class discussions.



Students like to be independent and there is the Independent-Nation- State style which allows students to operate independently. With this style the teacher must change the students' seating arrangements every so often so that the 'nations' do not become too independent and start making the rules to fit themselves rather than the teacher and the class. (I saw this arrangement in a first grade class and thought it was too scrunched, messy, and congested.)



The fourth example is the Battleship. This style will spark interest if nothing else! I like this one because it is unique and yet allows for the teacher to move about the seats and students easily. I like the two main 'up front' seats which can be used for the special needs students or the weekly assistant student and the two side front seats can be utilized by the students the teacher prefers to keep a special eye on.



Of course, there are other arrangements but space and time has allowed for these four only. SAS allow for classroom management, classroom discipline, and gives the teacher choices in how his/her classroom will best benefit the students' learning atmosphere.















Bibliography The Internet WileyCDA. 'Rookie Teaching Technique: Choosing a Seating Arrangement'. August 01, 2006. Rookie Teaching for Dummies. www.dummies.com, Dunne, Diane Weaver. 'Do Seating Arrangements and Assignments= Classroom Management''. August 01, 2006. Education World, 2001. www.education-world.com,