Flexible seating, flexible learning environments, innovative
learning environments; these are a few of the names to describe what teachers
are creating all of the world for their students. The idea of providing
students with various options around the classroom to choose their best
learning space is becoming more and more popular. Myself included in the
growing popularity, a fifth grade teacher in Orlando, FL. As an educator, I
truly believe in the concept of allowing students to choose where they’d like
to work. My journey to flexible learning environments began early in my very
first classroom where I’d let my students sit or lay on the floor to read or
complete centers if they wanted to. The requirement was they had to remain on
task. There was an instant increase in their engagement level because they were
able to work in a way they felt most suitable for them to focus. I also noticed
they were able to stay focused for a longer period of time, as well as less
behavior problems. From this point on, I decided to add in more options, such
as stools, rugs, and comfortable chairs for my students as the years went on.
Flexible classrooms are continuing to be researched all over
the world to see its effectiveness in academic and behavioral success. For
example, an early
2017 study was conducted by the University of Melbourne in Australia and
New Zealand. The study confirmed that “deep learning occurs within open plan
classrooms coupled with collaborative and shared learning pedagogical
practices.” More and more educators are seeing the benefits of a
non-traditional classroom.
This year is an exciting year as I continue this journey to
creating an innovative learning environment for the 2018-2019 school year. I
was able to receive a grant for flexible seating, which I will use to purchase
tables from IKEA. I asked my administrators to remove the traditional student
desks, which they thankfully agreed to. They will be replaced with five to six LINNMON/ADILS
IKEA desks.
I was also very fortunate to have won a local dream classroom contest in which I asked for pieces to add to create more seating and standing work station options. The changes will be coming at the end of July to early August. I will be updating this journey to flexible learning environments included with before and after pictures! Take a look at the 2017-2018 classroom here!
