I have to admit that with flexible seating it was a challenge to keep myself and my students organized. We started with placing shelving units at the ends of tables and students each had a container for their supplies as well as a cubby with pencil boxes.
Now we have common supplies for everything else such as pencils, rulers, dry erase markers, etc. Those are located in the middle of tables and refills are in clear storage boxes in the cabinets. This eliminates many arguments over ownership of supplies (Jimmy has my pencil! I can tell because of the teeth marks on it!). I request that only plain pencils and blue pens are brought in. All pencils, pens, erasers, scissors, glue, paper and colored pencils go into the common supplies. If a student brings in a fancy pencil or pen I kindly ask them to take that special item home to use. I want all our pens, pencils, and erasers to look the same and NOT be fancy. I label everything so items are easily found and returned to the right spot!
I have students store their items in plastic totes or/and book tubs. For reading they use book tubs, writing they have long, narrow, clear plastic boxes and for math they have plastic boxes. At my old school they were stored on a shelf located in the hallway. At my new school they will be stored on shelves and in cabinets. I also have clipboards for each student to hang work that they are proud of and would like to share. We also put QR codes on them to share our blogs and digital work. In the back of the room are mailboxes to keep items that will go home. Writing boxes are stored in the back cabinets.
I do not have a traditional teacher desk. This year my husband and I built a standing desk that is adjustable from countertop. This will be where I meet with students to confer. I keep my materials on hanging baskets attached to the wall and in a cabinet labeled, “Teacher Only”. I also have an area that students gather as a class when we have a mini lesson, share out, and PBIS lessons. Students are free to work there individually or in small groups as well. This area has 4 couches and a rug.
I created a recording booth from an old puppet show display. This is where students can go if they need to record themselves in a more private setting or even just to work. There is a small table and stool inside.
There is a green screen wall for students to use. We have 1:1 iPads and use the app, Green Screen, by Do Ink. I had a green screen cloth that I hung up but the painted wall is much more user friendly!
I have an area outside my classroom to display what I am reading and writing about. We call it, “What’s on my nightstand”. Many of these are great ideas from Kristin Ziemke!
The book shelves and cabinet in my room are magnetic as well as the whiteboard and these are handy to hang items up and use for students to plan their day or projects. All tables in my room are painted with whiteboard paint for students to plan, work out problems and collaborate. I try to make every available space one that students can use.
The biggest difference I noticed when going from a traditional classroom with student desks to flexible seating was the ownership and atmosphere in the room. I have less behavior problems, students are more organized and we take pride in what we have created. I feel good when I walk into my room!