FAQ - I am looking for alternative seating in my classroom and my school will not allow couches or cozy chairs.
Q: I am looking for alternative seating in my classroom and my school will not allow couches or cozy chairs. A: Lynn Whitten wrote in with a wonderful idea she and her daughter, fifth grade teacher Becky Carlton, came up with for seating in her room, bleachers! Lynn wrote: My daughter and I built these bleachers for her 5th grade classroom 2 years ago. We spent about $100 on 3 sets, 8 foot long each, 2ft high. She has arranged them into a "U", has a rug in the middle, and uses them for all sorts of group discussions and mini lessons. It is also the favorite place to partner read, play games and students seem to gravitate to the bleachers as alternative "desk" space where they sit on the bottom seat and use the top as the desk. They take up space, but there are many advantages; i.e. students are more focused away from the distractions available at desks, everyone can see the presenter, movement is diminished, and 5th graders think sitting on the bleachers is way cooler than sitting on the floor! This year I am making two 4ft sections for my classroom. I feel that the bleachers have proven their usefulness and I am anxious to try it with my small groups.
We loved this idea so much that we asked Lynn for permission to share it with you. Thanks Lynn and Becky!!
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