A Deskless Classroom.. What's it all about?!

             This year, I was lucky enough to be provided the opportunity to teach first grade inclusion with a teacher I have worked with before! Our teaching styles match in every sense of the word and we are a great compliment to one another. JoAnn, my co-teacher, was “new” to first grade and up for anything. So when I texted her late one night, “I have a crazy idea,” the fact that she didn’t run away is one that I will be forever grateful for.

            Knowing our similar style of teaching, our temperament, classroom management and expectations, I KNEW this idea would work. Learning more about our students, I KNEW this idea was a must! So DESKLESS we became.

            I must be honest, it certainly wasn’t an idea I came up with on my own. KindergartenSmorgasboard was the Teacher Blogger who really pushed me over the line that I have contemplated for a few years now.  If he can do it with Kindergarten, we can do it with First Grade…. right?!

            Going deskless took a lot of conversation, planning, rearranging, replanning, more conversation and lots of pep talks (to ourselves). There were a lot of things to think about: storing students’ personal belongings, accommodating students who thrive on routine/personal space, dealing with arguments over spots/chairs, having ENOUGH spots for all students etc. etc. We then prepared ourselves for the critiques and silent judgments: “That room must have no structure.” “They’re crazy!” “How will a kid REALLY be able to decide where they work best?!” And yes they came, but more than comments or judgments came questions. And with questions comes curiosity and interest.

            Ahead of time we went through the checklist below. We felt it was absolutely important that every student have a place to call their OWN. We also determined, for our own sanity, that every student would be assigned a chair. For arrival, dismissal and transitions, students would have a spot they were assigned to. We thought that this was especially important for attendance, settling in calmly, reducing chaotic arrivals/dismissals AND for substitute teachers.  Students start their day at small group table OR at one of the 8 desks we kept in the classroom.  For us, the deskless classroom/choice seating styled-classroom is in effect 80% of the day: centers and independent work. At this time they have the choose to sit, stand, lay, WORK wherever they think is BEST for them: chair, tables, carpet, bean bags, LAUNDRY BASKET (That's a favorite), rocking chair, desk, folding chair and more!

            A major advantage to a deskless classroom is the SPACE! From what I have seen in other schools, our rooms are pretty spacious.  But now add carpets, bookshelves, cubbies and 20+ desks! Suddenly you feel like you are teaching in a shoebox! ANYWAY, the space is undeniably one of the BEST parts about being deskless.  Not feeling cramped or trapped inside your own classroom, but free and open is a WONDERFUL feeling!!

            But MOST importantly, the biggest advantage is the ability to provide students the opportunity to CHOOSE what works best for them. Allowing students to pick their seating gives them a sense of ownership and power over their learning.   This flexibility shows that you, the teachers, are willing to respect students’ decisions and preferences. In my opinion, it sends a remarkably strong sense of understanding, compassion and team-work in many ways.

            We had a new student who started after the year had begun and on his first day asked to sit in a rocking chair during independent work. I responded very nonchalantly with, “Sure, just be sure to get a clipboard,” as I continued setting up our laptops. The student EVER so slowly, almost cautiously walked over to get his materials and sit down on the rocking chair as if he was avoiding making a noise. I think his fear was that I would “snap to” and change my mind! Another time I was assessing a student and she said, “I think I am just going to kneel at this table,” and looked at me the whole time waiting for a reaction. Once she was settled, I just kept testing! I think part of her was shocked.

               But have you ever stop to ask yourself: WHY NOT let her kneel? WHY NOT let that boy sit in a rocking chair? WHY NOT let the active student who is always falling out of their chair/leaning on another student’s desk to STAND?! WHY do kids have to be on these hard, cold chairs ALL day long? I mean for heaven sake after about 10 minutes in one I swear I have bruises!!

So often, however, the tragedy is we don’t stop to ask WHY are my students ALL at desks? As educators, we truck along because 97 million other NEW things have already been thrown at us by 9:15 on a Wednesday and one more NEW thing seems almost unbearable! And I get it, TRUST me! But I truly believe if you stop and think about your students (the good, the bad and the worse), you can name at least half a dozen students whose behavior at their desks is distracting or irritating not only to the class but also to those around them.

            Put it into perspective and ask yourself:  When you are home doing the hours of work we all do (teacher rant over), where do you PREFER to work? The couch? Your bed? The floor? The dining room table? If you ask your teammates, would they ALL say the same thing? But WE have the choice: the taken for granted choice to do work where we are most comfortable!  As adults we have choices about nearly everything. That is one of the perks! Students deserve, in certain respects, that same privilege.  Now with that, I need to provide a HUGE disclaimer. Our classroom is not disorganized, chaotic, albeit loud, or unstructured. The students have VERY clear expectations they are to follow and consistent consequences for when they don’t. 

From the first day of school, we have taken the time to set very CLEAR rules for our classroom. We have done LOTS of modeling and weren’t afraid (and still aren’t) to STOP when those “teachable” moments arise. Taking the time to model what is an appropriate seating choice, what to do when two people are arguing over a spot, how to avoid choosing a bad spot etc. are ESSENTIAL. I can still remember the faces of the students when we told them we were a deskless classroom. CONFUSED wasn’t even the word!! But within a few weeks, they had not only understood the concept but FLOURISHED!

            Deskless classrooms are FUN, innovative, CURRENT and flexible. If the steps below are followed, deskless classrooms are successful, EXCITING and engaging. Across the board I have found it to be an incredibly effective strategy to meet the needs of EVERY learner.  We have had NOTHING but positive feedback from students AND parents. I think it is safe to say, we have officially said GOODBYE to a desk-full classroom!! If you like the idea of a deskless classroom but weary to try it mid-year, START small! Have your students choose their spot during independent work throughout the day! When you SEE it, you will BELIEVE IT! I promise, you will be hooked.

            If you want to further discuss deskless classrooms, feel free to email us at appleoftheireye@gmail.com!