Can we just talk about this article that dropped into my inbox this afternoon?!
http://neatoday.org/2016/09/23/ditching-classroom-desks/?utm_source=nea_today_express&utm_campaign=161019neatodayexpress&utm_medium=email&utm_content=starbucks There are so many great points they bring up that I could relate to. Here are some of my comments... There is something orderly, functional and maybe even comforting about students sitting behind rows and rows of desks all facing the teacher. – Yes, more comfortable for the teacher because order is the traditional staple of classroom management. ...messing with the classroom furniture could invite additional classroom misbehaviors – This is a classroom management issue, and although you will learn management styles in college, the most effective learning will be the kind that occurs in the moment. I’ve become convinced that traditional educational settings dull the senses. – I agree!! It stifles creativity, and after all, don’t we want our students to be innovative? How can we foster progress and thinking outside of the box when we confine the physical space? ...it’s the openness of her classroom that provides the collaborative space and the ease of movement to keep students “awake and engaged.” – I have noticed I’ve had the head-down, sleeping battle far less with my students this year! ...look at less-expensive options, such as yoga or bath mats and crate seats. – I disagree, I don’t think some of these items would hold up in the long run. Then you’ll have spent the same amount of money replacing an item multiple times when you could have just purchased one quality item. Teachers will likely face a level of skepticism from parents – I disagree with this. I have not had one disagreeable comment from a parent about the classroom. If anything, I would predict that they are hearing more about the classroom at home than they would if the old furniture was still in use as the article goes on to state. It’s not just an issue of having top-notch classroom management skills (though this is critical), but educators must be ready to surrender a degree of authority. – Finally, this is addressed. You have to let go of the notion that the student will sit still in the chair. That’s not what the new designs are promoting. You have to let go and accept that some students just wiggle and acknowledge the fact that yes, the student is still wiggling, but now they are engaged in the learning while they are fidgeting. Accept the classroom management challenge as professional development. I have more than one student that likes to zip around the classroom in the wheeled chairs, but it only takes one time of swapping the wheeled chair for a green stool (also designed for fidgeting but without mobility) and they buckle down. Actually, most of the time, suggesting that I’m going to swap out the chairs if they can’t handle it nips the problem efficiently.
0 Comments
I asked the kiddos yesterday what they liked best about the desks, what made these desks better than their other classrooms. Their response was that they're more comfortable, they have more space, and they like the design. Because they are not allowed to bring bookbags into classrooms, and they don't like to sit their books on the floor, they like that the desks are a little bigger and they give them enough space to put their belongings without compromising writing space.
We had an interesting discussion today about the durability of the desks. I was running through the earthquake procedure with them, and explained they would need to get under the desk to protect their head and spine. They were concerned that the surface of the desk was not strong enough to withstand stuff from the ceiling falling down. I told them I would double-check on that! I'm thinking that it could withstand lights and ceiling tiles but likely not a whole cement and steel roof. Thoughts? New week, new layout! We've been doing a lot of work in discussion groups and I wanted to incorporate a new design. I decided to attack the new layout on Friday (I know - what was I thinking?!) and to my surprise, some of my students who stay for an extra-curricular activity popped in to see me. They were so excited when I showed them the different formations on the key Kelly gave me that I ended up standing back and letting them put the pieces together! It was even better when they arrived yesterday to oooh and ahh over the new arrangement. To make use of the new layout, I had them complete question cup. In this activity, I gave them critical thinking question stems to help them formulate higher level thinking questions. As they read (we are currently on chapter 5 in The Outsiders) they come up with three critical thinking questions using the stems. They write their question on a post it along with their name, and page #. Then, in class, they fold the post its and place them in a cup. In groups, they take turns drawing questions, discussing them, and writing down a well-rounded response. I was so impressed by some of their questions today. They were asking their peers to explain their answers, and to find text evidence. Not to mention making these really creative connections that I had never considered after reading the book! This layout seems to really promote group discussion. A little bit of feedback they've given me this week: I am finding that they students almost always prefer the green benches/couches. They prefer the chairs on wheels that do not have the automatic wheel locking safety feature. It is hard to fit more than 3 people at the round table. The students don't care for the taller chairs on wheels because the seat is too flexible. They say it makes them feel like they're going to fall or slide out of it. They love that the white tables are dry erase and can flip over to share work! |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
December 2016
Categories |