Seating Arrangements
When setting up a floor plan for students, consider your teaching style and lesson plans and make seating arrangements accordingly. Here are a few options:
Half-circle or circle arrangement
Desks or tables in a circle or half-circle promote community and encourage
all students to participate. Everyone sits in the front row!
Group seating
Desks or tables in small groups work especially well for classes that
include collaborative activities. This arrangement also allows the teacher
to group together students with similar needs, which makes individualized
instruction easier.
Traditional rows
With a small number of rows, this arrangement can be very effective for
teachers who frequently use boards or overhead projectors.
Special needs
Try to arrange seating to accommodate any students with special needs.
For example, a student with ADD should probably sit at the front of the
classroom. Do your best to place a student with special needs in a seat
that does not isolate him or her.
Once you have planned the students' seating arrangement, you should decide where to locate your own desk. Many teachers prefer to place their desks so that they are not the central focus of the classroom. Regardless of where you place your desk, consider personalizing it with photographs, mementos or other items. This will make you feel at home and will contribute to a warm, welcoming classroom atmosphere.
2008 Summer Olympics
Celebrate this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, China, with our resources, activities, and lessons.
Teaching about Natural Disasters
The world has suffered two natural disasters this May — Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and the earthquake in China. These tragedies may have your students wondering why such large catastrophes occur. We have resources to help you explain earthquakes and cyclones, and for dealing with the subjects of death and crisis with your class.
July Events
Find educational activities for every day in July. Take a look at our Summer Activities Slideshow for our favorite summer-themed activities, lessons, and printables.
Sign up for our Great Stuff for Teachers newsletter to keep up-to-date on all of our seasonal lessons and printables.
New Customizable Printables
Easily create personalized hall and office passes or teacher stationary with our customizable classroom passes and notes. Prepare for substitute teachers, field trips, parent-teacher conferences, and more with our customizable charts and forms.
Drama Resources
Explore our drama resources – from Shakespearean plays to The Miracle Worker to Readers Theater – to widen your curricular focus. Students will enjoy the change of pace that putting on a classroom play will bring!
ADD/ADHD Resources
From frequently asked questions to assessment accommodations, these articles and resources will help you to deal with the special nature of students with ADD/ADHD.
