5 Clever Tips To Create A Classroom Seating Chart

Inside: 5 tips to help you create a classroom seating chart that works for you!

Dealing with seating chart woes? These tips may help you to create a classroom seating chart to meet your needs!

Teaching is not just about lessons and grading. Classroom management is a huge part of your job! Part of managing behaviors in the classroom is knowing how to organize and set up your room to help your students learn effectively. One of the most important steps is creating seating charts. Here are some clever tips to create a classroom seating chart that you’ll want to keep in mind! 

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Create a classroom seating chart tip #1: Consider teacher proximity

The first thing to consider when you sit down is to create a classroom seating chart in which students would benefit from sitting closer to you. 

Students that need redirection from the teacher due to disruptive or off-task behaviors benefit by being close to the teacher in the seating arrangement. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are at the front of the room, but most likely they’ll be on an outside row or pod where the teacher can lightly tap their desk or give them a note without drawing attention to the student.

Create a classroom seating chart tip #2: Surround struggling students with peer models

Students that have difficulty with academics should not be grouped together or separated from other students. Even though it may seem logical that students can be homogeneously arranged in order for the teacher to reach them all at once, remember, it’s not about you as the teacher! 

Students need to see peers around them that are successfully working and understanding the material. For example, a student that struggles with organization may see her classmate take out her planner and write down the assignment. Modeling behavior is important when it comes from the teacher, of course, but it’s even more effective when it comes from a fellow student.

Create a classroom seating chart tip #3: Try a flexible seating chart

Flexible seating is a new trend in the educational realm- and for good reason! Studies have shown that students need time to move and not just sit at their desks all day. If your classroom setup allows for flexible seating, give it a try! Set up some couches, bean bags (these ones are great because they will stay put!), scoop chairs, or even floor space to let your students sit (or stand) where they learn best.  

Start the class with a formal seating chart for attendance and substitute purposes, but consider letting your students choose their seats during work time. Elementary students need to move to maintain focus. You may find that it does wonders for productivity!

I’ve got a great podcast episode all about creating a flexible seating chart in your classroom. I interviewed Wife Teacher Mommy Club member, Kimberley. She shares why flexible seating is an easy accommodation for certain behavior students, the procedures and rules associated with using flexible seating in her classroom, and she shares her advice for those who are reluctant to have flexible seating in their classroom.

Create a classroom seating chart tip #4: Switch it up

Change the seating arrangement at least every four to six weeks to keep the kids moving and allow them to work in closer proximity with different peers. Some teachers do this using velcro names or sticky notes. There are so many ways to do it! 

*Bonus tip: Use my seating charts templates for classrooms

Switching up your seating charts is so easy with my Drag-N-Drop Seating Chart Templates. New students? Midterm changes? No problem! With over 60 editable templates in PDF & Googles Slides formats to choose from (10 adorable designs and 3 starting points to choose from), there’s something for every teacher! Switch up your seating charts and your design as you please! With these seating chart templates for classrooms, creating a new seating chart is as simple as dragging and dropping on your computer. 

Create a classroom seating chart tip #5: Give students choices

Mrs. Litz shared her tip with us on Instagram about letting students have some choice in seating chart creation. She says, “I always let my students make secret requests for who they want to sit by… We always talk about good choices, making sure whoever we want to sit by can be a good learning partner, and how seats can be moved at any time, and I always try my darnedest to honor their requests. It’s amazing how many different classmates they choose to sit by throughout the year! I rarely have a student  request to be by the same person every time.”

I loved this tip, and it totally follows my teaching style! Giving students choices whenever I can is a priority to me because it gives the students ownership of their learning experience. 

Additionally, this would also help build a classroom community by having students choose someone different every time. (If I were to do this, I would make choosing someone new a requirement each time). Lastly, she holds the students accountable for their choices by telling them they need to choose someone who will be a good learning partner. I think this could definitely be a handy tip for many teachers.

Classroom management will be a breeze when you follow these clever tips to create a classroom seating chart. If you try any of these, let us know how it goes in the comments! What tips do you have for seating chart creation in your classroom?