“Flexible Seating” is a hot topic these days. I wanted to round up some of my favorites I use and have seen, as well as discuss a little bit about what flexible seating means to me and my classroom.
I recently watched a Facebook Live video from Amy Lemons at Step into Second Grade that was on ways to increase student engagement. She had thoughts on flexible seating that really struck a cord with me. Amy was explaining that flexible seating isn’t new, but now the term has been coined and it’s popular. Allowing students to have movement is one important piece of student engagement, especially in the younger grades. She also explained that in the upper grades, students have to learn to sit in their desks for long periods of time for testing. So do not feel bad if you want your students at desks for part of your lesson or day. At some point in life, we all need to learn to sit still and be patient. I’m not advocating for all day desk sitting, but it’s all important life skills for students.
So, guess what? With flexible seating, you CAN keep your desks and USE them!
Let me be upfront with you. I use flexible seating when I can, I am not a full-fledged flexible seater. I do not let me students pick their own desks when we are in whole group lessons. They do not have bouncy balls at their desks to sit on, they have chairs. I am a firm believer that students need structure and giving them a place of their own to sit, when necessary, is a part of that structure. My classroom is like any other. My student desks are still there. For me, there are times when I need students to be in their desks or on the carpet all together for whole group learning.
It is when we break up for small groups during math, ELA, and Daily 5, that I put our flexible seating into play (which is a large portion of our day).
I recently did a Facebook Live video around my classroom showing some of the flexible seating options I have. Here’s the video:
Here are some of my favorite flexible seating options:
Otto Storage Stools
One of the newest additions to my flexible seating options are these Otto Storage stools. Not only do they work perfectly with options for flexible seating, but they also STORE other items! I have yet to put anything in them, but I’m thinking of filling them with other flexible seating options like pillows or mats. They are pretty easy to assemble, just check out my Instagram for a time-lapse of how I put them together (each one takes about 2-5 minutes to put together). Take a closer look at these stools here!
Lap Desks
These are incredible. I need more. I love clipboards, but these, these are better! The perfect portable desks. We use these bean bag type ones (affiliate). Students come a grab one and find a spot on the carpet to work.
There are also the table type ones (affiliate). I need to grab some of these ASAP. These ones are FOLDABLE! How convenient for storage!
SitSpots
I love SitSpots (affiliate)! I wrote a blog post a while back about 6 ways to use SitSpots in the classroom. Flexible seating was not one of them, but now it is! I know in 1st grade, students don’t always make the best choices on where they sit. They have no spacial awareness. SitSpots are perfect for showing your students where they can sit around your classroom (at least a few feet from their besties). One caveat is that you can only use these if you have carpet in your classroom.
Kid Chairs
Not student desk chairs, but fun kid chairs (these are from Target)! I got some from Target during the spring that are just perfect little loungers for our room. They are seriously a favorite and everyone always wants to sit in them. Of course you also can grab bean bag chairs, wobble chairs, or camping chairs (I like that these can fold up and save space)! Whatever you fancy!
Are you looking for more ways to keep your little learners form fidgeting all day? Take a look at this blog post that offers more options for your fidgety learners.
NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. I was given the Otto Storage in exchange for a review, but the opinions are my own.
Caitlin says
I love my wobble stools that I got funded through Donors Choose!
B. Cole says
My favorite flexible seating option is Wobble Chairs right now. I also use the carpet as an area and the small outdoor chairs from Target. I would love to implement more options that become available to me.
Diana LaBrose says
I like the idea of flexible seating, I’m just not sure if I’m ready for it yet!
Jen says
I only have the scoop rockers, crate seats, pillows, and clipboards for flexible seating. But my favourite so far is the scoop rocker. I would love to try out wobbly stools and other stools. Winning this storage stool would be amazing since I’ve had to purchase all of the seating myself!
Jordan says
Thanks for sharing!! I’m still learning the ropes on how I want to incorporate flexible seating time and the parameters I want to establish with my students. We have some seats in our room that the kids love to call “squishy cushies” that are a big hit!
Casey says
So many good ideas! I’m glad to hear that you don’t use flex seating full-time, because I know it would never fly at my school but I do like having the option available.
Ashley says
New flex seating ideas! I love your finds, and will definitely look into the foldable tabletop and Otto storage stools! ;]
Stefanie says
My kids are really loving scoop rockers this year! These would make another great option in my room!! 🙂
Kylie says
Sounds like we are doing similar things for flexible seating. I am so excited to see where the year goes. So far my favorite tools are scoop chairs. The kids love them and they help on the rug. I love the stools you are using and the lap desks. I want to look into getting some of those. Thanks for the great ideas!
Aris Rossi says
I am loving the portable desks! Grabbed a few at HL this summer, but the ones with the storage are perfect for our Chromebooks! Great post!!
Kylie says
I love the lap desks!!! I am finding more and more that kids love being on the floor any chance they can get!
Heather White says
I love Hokki stools but I am so intrigued by these storage stools.
Hannah says
I love the lap desks! Like a clipboard but better!!
Katie Covert says
I love this idea! It is hard to plan what I should get though as I don’t start teaching til next year but I’ll for sure use sit spots because I am going to teach special Ed! Thanks for the awesome tips 🙂
Kirsten Biehl says
I really liked using the Hokki stools in my classroom last year as they got some of my fidgeting friends to stay sitting and focused during table time. I also love using cushions around the classroom to have students use when they are reading.
Brittany says
I acquired a wiggle stool this year and am glad to have this for some kiddos I think may be in need. I am in need of many more options though and these look great! Durable is necessary!
Layla says
We have seat crates and pop up chairs in my class- these look great!
Beth Bowling says
I want to try some standing desks next.
AJ Lugo says
My favorite flexible seating option is Scoop Rockers. My students love them and they are stable. The children are not rolling around.
Ashley says
I haven’t tried flexible seating yet, but I am very excited to learn more and collect different options for my students throughout the year. I have several storage ottomans that students can sit on in our classroom library area. I’ve also been very tempted to buy the scoop rockers that I’ve seen everywhere. I’m sure those would be a classroom favorite!
Teresita Bosch says
Love the storage stool!
I also love using the sit spots in my classroom ????
Sydney says
I have stools from IKEA and would love car other options. I also love the floor and clipboards but my students don’t seem to like that one as much. I live different options though because chairs are too bulky for 30 bodies.
Lindsey Paull says
I like comfy pillows! I also have Hokki stools, but they are used at my small group table only.
Kelsey says
My students really love the exercise balls!
Christina Story says
Love all the options you give for flexible seating.
Katie says
I love using exercise balls. My kids love them!
madeline zukowski says
I love rocker chairs and beanbags. Also, little floor tables and lapboards are amazing!
Denise says
I love all of your flexible seat Ingrid ideas! I think I will try to raise money to purchase some of the Otto stools.
Joy says
I too use regular desks part day and flexible seating part day! Thanks for the give away! 🙂
Kaileigh says
I love letting the kids sit on the floor and use lap desks, it’s so simple, but the kids love it!
Kate says
Flexible seating is great! My kids love wobble stools and exercise balls, but all of these ideas look fabulous!
Rebecca says
I’ve moved to flexible seating this year, and seem to be struggling with some things more than the kids are! It’s my need to control. Thanks for a great blog post explaining how you have things set up in your classroom. I love to get other perspectives.
Rebecca
Jen says
HAHA maybe that’s why I don’t have full flexible seating, control issues 😉
Lisa says
Bath mats are definitely a favorite in my room! We also have chairs called picnic chairs they my kiddos love. I’ve never seen the Otto stool before!
Erica says
I just got Hokki Stools from a Donors Choose! Can’t wait for them to arrive! 🙂
Michelle says
I love kid sizes comfy chairs!
Caitlin H says
I started with stability balls last year and love them! I would love to explore more flexible seating options and find some better fit options for some of my kiddos!
Anna Hines says
Love your thoughts on flexible seating. I’m doing full flexible seating in my classroom this year and am loving it! I hadn’t seen the stools before and they are so cool! Thanks for sharing!
Kaifra says
I love the stools!
Kelsey Bryant says
I haven’t really had the chance to try it (besides letting students work where they want during word work, sans fancy cool seating options) but I think the lap desks look super kindergarten friendly!
Brooke Jones says
My students absolutely love the scoop chairs from Walmart and fuzzy bath mats!
Taylor says
My student’s favorite flexible seating option is the adirondack chairs from Target! LOVE them!
Jen says
US TOO!
Alissa Wood says
My students and I love having flexible seating options in my classroom! My favorite seating I have is stools with a raised table. My students would say their favorite is my beach chairs in my tent. They would go crazy over these OTTO stools!
Alicia says
I love your honesty. I allow students to pick their seats when they work independently, but I also believe in students learning how to use a desk! Thanks for sharing!
Kyna says
My favorite flexible seating option is the wobble chairs. I would love to have a variety of different seating options in my room like the storage stools, exercise balls and others.
Christina says
I’m a resource teacher so I’m still figuring out how to make it work on my classroom. I’d like to replace some of my small group chairs with different options!
Kelly H says
I let the kids pick spots during independent reading and I have different sized desks, including my teacher desk, where they can do independent work if they’d like. I also have bubble seats from the container store at my small group table. Otherwise, it’s desks and carpet for whole group.
Marianne says
Thanks for finally writing about >Flexible Seating – Sparkling in Second Grade <Loved it!
Ms. Kellie says
Love this post! Too much flexibility can lead to distraction, which defeats the entire purpose of flexible seating.