Long gone are the days where neat rows of desks line a classroom. Teachers across the U.S. are embracing flexible seating in their classrooms instead. This kind of collaborative learning has been shown to benefit students in so many ways, from improving problem solving and social skills to preparing them for the modern workplace.
So how can an educator get started creating a more flexible, collaborative classroom? It all begins with the right furniture. In this post, we’ll guide you through different types of tables, chairs, and desk setups to transform your classroom.
Classroom tables that encourage collaboration
The types of tables that will work best for your classroom will be different depending on the age group you teach. Let’s look at some ideas for preschoolers through highschoolers.
Early childhood: Activity tables
Activity tables are great for younger children because they’re just their size. Child-sized furniture has many benefits, including promoting independence, improving motor skills, encouraging socialization, and more. Another bonus is that most of these tables are sold as sets with the chairs included so you won’t have to go searching for the right ones.
Middle school to high school: Science tables
For older kids, you’ll need something their size and that caters to the types of learning activities they’ll be doing. Science tables are a great choice for your middle school or high school classroom. They are sturdy, feature chemical-resistant coatings, and many even have outlets, storage, or sinks. These are, of course, the go-to option for a science classroom but can be used for other collaborative learning purposes as well.
All ages: Training tables
If you’re looking for an all-purpose solution, training tables provide versatility for all ages and types of classrooms. These lightweight, collapsible tables are easy to move around to create pop-up working stations, and easy to store when you’re not using them.
Classroom chairs and desks that encourage collaboration (for all ages!)
Some tables (such as activity tables) will have chairs included, but often you’ll need to buy chairs separately. Let’s look at some types of chairs that will make moving around and working together that much easier in your classroom.
Armless chairs
Armless chairs are a smart choice because they allow for easy body movements. They’re also typically stackable to help reconfigure a room quickly, and some even have wheels. They come in various materials and sizes to meet your needs. For younger kids, we love these wooden armless chairs because of their durability and clean look.
Chairs with desks attached
A flexible, collaborative classroom can still include traditional desks. It’s all about how you set them up and use them. Chairs with desks attached are a top pick because they can be moved around easily, allowing you to decide how and when the desks get used.
Soft seating
This might be our favorite seating option: soft seating. Because who doesn’t love to be comfortable? Believe it or not, there are so many benefits to soft seating in the classroom. Seating such as bean bag chairs, modular corner chairs, and book nooks provide students with calm, comforting spaces to read, learn, and process in different ways. Plus, this kind of seating can be used to keep students engaged in group/circle time or independent reading/learning time. Bean bag chairs, in particular, are also surprisingly ergonomic. Think about how you can add these fun and functional seating options to your classroom.
Everything you need for your collaborative classroom
As you’ve seen throughout this post, at Quill, we have a variety of classroom furniture options to suit your needs. Did you know we also have a wide selection of school supplies to keep your classroom stocked semester after semester? Take a look around and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or special project needs. We’re here for schools.
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