Flexible Classroom Seating for Every Student

| Mark Tiongco

There is no doubt that classrooms have evolved in the last few decades.  Today’s students are just as likely to spend a class period collaborating with a group, working with technology, or teaching a “flipped” lesson as they are to listen to a lecture.  As our learning practices have changed, so should our classroom environment.  One learning core aspect is the student’s seating solution.  Flexible seating is one way that school administrators and teachers have begun to adapt the classroom space to meet all students’ needs.  Having a comfortable and flexible seating solution not only helps maintain student focus but also allows your classroom to remain fluid with the continuous evolution of learning best practices.

Here are several flexible seating solutions to help your students maximize their learning potential:

Rocking Around the Classroom

For early childhood and elementary school learning environments, rocking chairs have been gaining popularity as a classroom seating option. Floor rockers are an excellent addition to any classroom library or small group workspace. The Zuma Floor Rocker, available in two sizes, allows students to rock back and forth silently while reading or working. What better way to help students develop a love of reading?

Zuma Floor Rocker Chairs by Virco

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Fun and Functional Back-to-School Bulletin Board Ideas

| Mark Tiongco

As we start another school year, one ongoing task that is forever paramount is how to make students feel welcome.  Whether it’s veteran students coming back into the academic grind from the relaxing summer break to the new kids on the block who feel a little apprehensive about starting at a new school, finding a way to help everyone settle in makes the transition easier.  Utilizing bulletin boards is an excellent way to break the ice as well as helping students feel welcome and excited about starting the new school year.

Here are several ideas that can help make the transition easier:

Creative Decorations

Create name cards so that every student who enters your classroom feels a sense of belonging and makes the introduction process smoother.  Name cards are a great opportunity for students to learn names and get to know each other with activities that teach communication and collaboration.  The Fab-Tek Bulletin Board by Best-Rite features a tackable surface, available in standard or Hook-n-Loop Velcro compatible fabric, and is completely washable.  Fab-tek Bulletin Board by Best-Rite Continue reading →

Bulletin Boards: Digital Isn’t Always Better

| Mark Tiongco

We all know that our ever-growing digital society will continue to become more digital.  Whether it’s being greeted at your hotel by a reservation computer screen or buying your food at an automated checkout machine, digital signage is here to stay.  However, don’t count traditional bulletin boards as obsolete yet.  Utilizing traditional bulletin and display boards are an excellent way to advertise and positively contribute to expenditures, operations, and Marketing.  Here are several instances where traditional bulletin sign and directory boards are still the way to go:

Solid Branding

Whether if it’s hung over the front window or right outside the entrance, any owner of a sandwich shop, diner, or coffee bar establishment knows that traditional signs do a better job of attracting large amounts of foot traffic.  Chalk it up to traditional marketing efforts but there’s something about seeing creative, hand-written “Lunch Specials” that makes the establishment more intriguing.  The Black Dry Erase Display Easel by Best-Rite provides a catchy and hard-to-miss visual for both frequent and prospective customers.

Black Restaurant Dry Erase Display Easel by Best-Rite Continue reading →

Active Seating: Can We Learn How to Move?

| Mark Tiongco

The pursuit to maximize a learning environment’s effectiveness is always going to be paramount.  In our modern society, active seating solutions has ascended to become a game-changer in addressing the topics of enhancing student engagement, reducing classroom distractions, and promoting collaborative work.  According to Edutopia (2015):

“Since implementing flexible classrooms, Albermarle County Public Schools have noticed that:

  • Their students’ grades have improved
  • Their students seem happier and more engaged
  • Their students are participating more and having more invigorating conversations”

However, politics and budgets often dictate whether a school will make the leap towards innovation or keep the traditional classroom status quo.  Investing in active seating furniture helps determine if it can benefit your students and teachers.  Active seating creates a fun, engaging, and productive atmosphere that helps students develop critical life skills such as focus and team work.  The Sit and Stand Student Desk by Luxor is an excellent introduction to active learning by providing a feature-rich desk standing desk solution for your students, thus keeping them engaged, while allowing you to determine if it’s something you can utilize in some or all of your classrooms.

Sit and Stand Student Desk by Luxor

Adaptable Active Seating

In addition to enhancing student engagement, many active seating solutions feature portability and a compact footprint since every classroom is different and lesson plans constantly change.  Classroom seating that can accommodate different student age groups helps a school maximize its classroom furniture budgetary expenditures.  The DOT Soft Seating Floor Stool by Balt is portable, lightweight, and can keep students engaged during floor activities such as music class, arts and crafts, watching educational films, and productive during study hall!

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