For many adults, the idea of
elementary school math class conjures memories of hard chairs with small
writing surfaces and no wiggle room. This is not the case in Lynnette Gall’s
math class. Gall teaches sixth grade mathematics and health at Byron-Bergen
Elementary School in a classroom with flexible seating.Over the last three years,
Gall has been transitioning traditional school desks out of her classroom. As
of this school year, her room includes only one traditional school desk. It
does, however, have work tables, café tables, counter-height tables, standing
desks, stools, lounge chairs, rocking chairs, floor pillows, stadium seats,
outdoor furniture, yoga mats, sensory cushions, carpet space, and the recent
addition of a Nugget Comfort couch that was donated to Gall’s classroom through
DonorsChoose.org. Students have a choice in where they are most comfortable
learning.
Flexible seating is not a new
idea, though the term is recent. School libraries have traditionally offered
flexible seating, like cushions and armchairs, where students can read and
work. Many instructional classrooms also have alternate seating options for
students during certain times of day. But Gall’s transition has been thoughtful
and deliberate.
“It’s more of a coffee shop
space,” said Gall. “You could equate it to going to Starbucks to work and
sitting where you are most comfortable. The students are more engaged and
therefore learning more, because they’re comfortable.”
In Gall’s classroom, students
decide on a class-by-class basis where they want to sit and can transition
throughout the day. In the afternoon, students may have trouble sitting and
will be more productive standing at the counter height table. “My room has a
lot of movement,” said Gall. “The kids are always up, working with a partner or
small group and moving around the room. Students aren’t sitting stagnant. They
are engaged and collaborating. It’s preparation for how they will work in
college and career.”
“The flexible seating is good
because you can get comfortable,” said sixth grade student Libby Starowitz.
“You don’t just sit at a desk all day.”
“You
have the option of sitting at a desk,” added Paige O’Brien, “but most people
like the other options like the rocking chairs or high stools.”
High School Social Studies
teacher Jennifer Back also incorporates flexible seating into her classroom and
plans to increase seating options in the future. She was inspired two years ago
when the desks were removed from her classroom to be used for Regents testing.
“It was telling how the students actually wanted to sit without any desks
involved,” said Back. “It makes learning and school more comfortable and less
constraining.”
Second Grade Teacher Amber
Taylor-Burns also uses flexible seating in her classroom. “I supply students
with colorful rugs, a variety of pillows, pop-up chairs, and bucket chairs
in our classroom library,” said Taylor-Burns. “The students choose a spot where
they can do their best work, but they must use the seat appropriately and take
care of the supplies. Students are comfortable, motivated, and engaged when
using the flexible seating.”
While Gall wants the students
to take ownership of the space, safety is number one. Students must use the
flexible seating responsibly. “It’s fostering a shared responsibility instead
of a ‘this is mine’ mentality,” said Gall. “Everyone has to work together to
make the classroom successful.”
Gall’s overarching goal is
for students to feel comfortable in their learning. Her efforts span beyond
flexible seating to include fish tanks, plants, a student curated photo
collage, and a sound machine that plays calming music throughout the day.
“My
goal is to provide a safe, happy, and healthy place where my students feel at
home to learn,” said Gall. “It's more than just flexible seating, but making
the whole child feel comfortable — mind, heart, and body.”