Choosing the right classroom setup can feel like a challenge, since every room and group of students is different. What works well one year might be a complete failure the next. It’s smart to have a variety of classroom seating arrangements in your toolkit so you can make changes whenever you need to.
We’ve rounded up some of the most popular setup and seating arrangements for classrooms and considered the pros and cons of each. Once you’ve picked one, be sure to get your free, fully editable printable seating charts by filling out the form on this page!
How To Choose the Best Classroom Setup and Seating Arrangements
The right seating arrangement depends on your needs, and there’s no one best setup. Many teachers these days are trying out flexible seating, though it’s not for everyone. If you’re looking for more-traditional classroom setup ideas, there are still plenty of options to consider. But how to choose? Ask yourself these questions:
What type of instruction do you use most often?
If you mainly do teacher-led instruction like lectures, you’ll want to choose a setup that keeps students focused on the front of the classroom. But if your students do a lot of small-group work or whole-class discussion, desk groupings might be more effective.
What do you have to work with?
How big is your classroom? Do you have tables or individual desks? These two factors will play a huge part in the setup you choose. For instance, a horseshoe shape is terrific for fostering class discussion, but you’ll wind up with a lot of wasted space in the middle. If your classroom is already cramped, this won’t work well for you.
Can you see every student’s face as you teach? Can every student easily see you?
Teachers know it’s important to be able to make eye contact to check for understanding as they teach. It’s also important that every student be able to see you and your visual aids, without straining or feeling uncomfortable. Tip: Don’t forget to consider how you’ll monitor student screens to ensure everyone is staying on track.
Do you need to keep students separated?
In some cases, it’s better to keep students at arm’s length from one another for safety or behavior reasons. If you have desks, a grid setup will likely be your best choice. For tables, try seating students one on each side, staggered so they’re not directly facing each other.
Can you easily move around the classroom and get to each student if needed?
Unless you’re lecturing to a very large group, you’ll likely need to be able to move from seat to seat, checking work and answering questions. Think about how you’ll give yourself enough space to do that, and if you’ll have a sense of privacy when talking to individual students at their seats.
How will you accommodate seating needs from IEPs/504s?
Many (if not most) IEPs and 504 plans specify that the student is to have preferential seating of some sort. This might be near the teacher, away from distractions, close to an interpreter, etc. Will your preferred seating plan allow you to accommodate these requirements?
Popular Classroom Seating Arrangement Options
Keep all of the above questions in mind as you consider whether one of these classroom setup ideas will work for you.
Want your free seating charts for one or more of these arrangements?
Fill out the form on this page and get printable versions of all the classroom seating arrangements featured above. You’ll receive a printable PDF plus a fully editable Google Slides version.