As the new school year approaches teachers’ thoughts return to the classroom. One organizational piece that takes much thought is the classroom seating chart. Ideas of desk or table arrangements and the needs of individual students combine to form the first plan of the school year. Though never simple, there are both pros and cons to consider while determining the best seating arrangement.
Pros of Having a Seating Chart
If early access to student files and IEPs is possible, these can provide valuable information about the needs of learners. Students with hearing or sight difficulties could be placed appropriately, as could students with known discipline issues. Strong students in a subject can be placed near weaker students. This also works well for students with positive classroom demeanors being placed near others who could benefit from a good role model.
Students know where to sit. Shy students can be more comfortable if told where to be instead of making that decision. There are no hassles about who wants to sit where and next to whom.
Seating charts provide a convenient way for a teacher to both take attendance and learn student names. Using the chart for attendance is faster than doing a roll call and also minimizes the chaos that can be caused by an inattentive student. Also, reading the names on the chart in addition to speaking them to call on students assists in memorization of names.
Cons to Seating Charts
Student files may not be readily available or, for middle or high school teachers, there may be too many students for a review of each record to be feasible. In this case the teacher ends up guessing and may be revising the seating plan within the first week.
Creating a seating chart puts management of it solely on the teacher. By providing students the opportunity to choose their own seats, with prior knowledge of consequences of misbehavior, the teacher places ownership of the decision on the students. If students are unable to handle this responsibility, the teacher can still institute assigned seating.
Seating charts place the teacher as an authority figure. Whereas this is good for some teaching styles, it is not as good for others who teach as a collaborator or facilitator. In this case, if a seating chart is still desired, it can be turned into a learning activity for the students. Divide the students into groups and have them determine the best seating arrangement. Then have the students vote for the best group plan.
Seating charts can be a valuable tool for classroom management. It is advisable for each teacher to consider his or her own teaching style and management style before deciding to create one upfront, turn it into a class activity, or allow students to choose their own seats. A seating chart can always be changed or instituted later if it doesn’t work well the first time.
Reference: TeAch-nology
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