U is for U-Shaped Tables
Why U-shaped tables?
In the 21st century, it has become a rarity to see a classroom set up with individual desks in rows facing the front of the room and the teacher's desk. It is becoming more and more common to see classrooms that are set up for flexible groupings and movement around the classroom. In my classroom, I have five large U-shaped tables. I do not have separate desks. The tables seat up to six students each and can be turned towards each other to form a large circle. The point behind the U-shaped tables is that seating should be flexible and allow the students to collaborate while the teacher still has access to their work. |
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this seating?
I have found the U-shaped tables are more space-efficient and enhance student collaboration and flexible groupings. They are also excellent for guided reading or direct teacher instruction to small groups. Because they are U-shaped, I find it is easy as a teacher to flow around the tables, and to move from group to group. When I sit in the centre, I can see the student's work all around me. I have also used the round tables for debate and classroom discussion. In my smallest class of eleven students, we all sit around two tables that are placed together. This allows all of us to see each other, and can be excellent for inclusion and cooperative learning.
The disadvantage to this type of seating is that it is so conducive to group discussion that I have a hard time some days getting students to focus on their own work without talking to their peers. To solve this problem, I generally move the students to other seating areas around the room so that they can focus on their own work. I think it is important to have flexible seating so that you can make the judgement call as a teacher as to where to move the students to enhance their learning. It might be a disadvantage to ONLY have this type of table in your room. You may want to only have one or two of these tables. I don't think it would work as well for some subjects. For example, in math, I usually have groupings that are two to four students, so it would not be efficient to have two people taking up one entire U-shaped desk. In this instance, I use another teacher's classroom and we move together the individual desks.
I have found the U-shaped tables are more space-efficient and enhance student collaboration and flexible groupings. They are also excellent for guided reading or direct teacher instruction to small groups. Because they are U-shaped, I find it is easy as a teacher to flow around the tables, and to move from group to group. When I sit in the centre, I can see the student's work all around me. I have also used the round tables for debate and classroom discussion. In my smallest class of eleven students, we all sit around two tables that are placed together. This allows all of us to see each other, and can be excellent for inclusion and cooperative learning.
The disadvantage to this type of seating is that it is so conducive to group discussion that I have a hard time some days getting students to focus on their own work without talking to their peers. To solve this problem, I generally move the students to other seating areas around the room so that they can focus on their own work. I think it is important to have flexible seating so that you can make the judgement call as a teacher as to where to move the students to enhance their learning. It might be a disadvantage to ONLY have this type of table in your room. You may want to only have one or two of these tables. I don't think it would work as well for some subjects. For example, in math, I usually have groupings that are two to four students, so it would not be efficient to have two people taking up one entire U-shaped desk. In this instance, I use another teacher's classroom and we move together the individual desks.
How can I get U-shaped tables into my classroom?
I was extremely fortunate that when I arrived at my current school, they were in the process of replacing old desks, so I was given the option to select what type of seating I wanted in my room. I looked through the catalogue and thought about how I wanted my room to be set up. I teach social studies and English in my classroom, and I knew I wanted to do a lot of small group and collaborative work. If you can even get one U-shaped table into your classroom, I think you would benefit from the ability to directly instruct small groups. Ask your administrator if you can try different seating possibilities. The tables are more expensive without a doubt, but they can replace up to six individual desks. Look into fundraising or see if there is any money budgeted to replace old desks. When parents see the condition of some of the desks in your room, they may be willing to help with fundraising. Your room will look like a 21st century classroom, and students will be excited to sit at new tables that allow them to collaborate with their friends. Our rooms shouldn't be silent and boring anymore. Let the magic of learning happen!
I was extremely fortunate that when I arrived at my current school, they were in the process of replacing old desks, so I was given the option to select what type of seating I wanted in my room. I looked through the catalogue and thought about how I wanted my room to be set up. I teach social studies and English in my classroom, and I knew I wanted to do a lot of small group and collaborative work. If you can even get one U-shaped table into your classroom, I think you would benefit from the ability to directly instruct small groups. Ask your administrator if you can try different seating possibilities. The tables are more expensive without a doubt, but they can replace up to six individual desks. Look into fundraising or see if there is any money budgeted to replace old desks. When parents see the condition of some of the desks in your room, they may be willing to help with fundraising. Your room will look like a 21st century classroom, and students will be excited to sit at new tables that allow them to collaborate with their friends. Our rooms shouldn't be silent and boring anymore. Let the magic of learning happen!