I first began implementing flexible seating two years ago and it was the best investment I ever made. I spent the entire Summer before planning, shopping and hunting for the best finds that would help me get started. Shopping around at garage sales were my first places to shop but options were few and far between finding a deal here and there. Every year, I continue to look for new, fun, flexible seating to add to my room. THIS year is no different especially with the recent pandemic. I am so glad that I decided to jump into flexible seating for so many reason but now it is a GREAT WAY TO SOCIAL DISTANCE my students this year. Flexible seating offers a variety of ways students can learn and have their own fun space to do it in. When my students choose a smart spot aka flexible seat to sit in, they have to use it correctly and use their SMART SPOT as a place to get their BEST WORK DONE! I set the expectation at the beginning of the year that smart spots are a privilege and if they aren't getting their best work done then I get to choose their smart spot for them. I rolled out flexible seats in its simplest form without implementing flexible seating choice charts and so forth. That was too much for me to keep up with. I always try to work smarter not harder! My students also are dismissed to find their smart spots based on their level of participation and using their best listening skills during our whole group lesson. I haven't had issues with students arguing over seats because they want to be able to choose where they sit and can their best learning done. After experiencing flexible seating the past few years, I have found that these are my students ABSOLUTE FAVORITE choices: chair ball with feet, stacking stools, scoop rockers, and wobble stool. These options are the best place to start because you will be able to purchase most of them in an allotment of at least four.
