Hi again
I saw something today in a school that, for once, I wholeheartedly agree with, but unfortunately see rarely.
When I did my first teaching practice when training to be a teacher it was the first time I’d been in a primary classroom since I’d left my own primary school to move to seniors. I was surprised by 2 things. Firstly, that the classrooms were so small - well they’d seemed huge when I was little! The other thing was the way that the desks (tables by that time) were arranged in the room. They were set around in groups! Half a dozen children sitting around tables facing each other!
What’s this all about, I thought?
Actually, I never really found out the answer to that one. I never came even close to being convinced that anything about his arrangement was of any benefit to anyone. I’ve often wondered who thought it up in the first place. What were they thinking of? Even the best behaved children are going to be tempted/encouraged to chatter and not be able to concentrate properly on their lessons. I’ve never had any of my classrooms set in groups. But, teachers I have spoken to all appear to be against making any changes in their classroom layout – they’re so reluctant to try something that can help to alleviate children’s behaviour problems.
‘Oh, it’s so we can do group work’, bleat the supporters of the sitting round in groups lot…
Research shows that well over 90% of teachers making this claim never involve children in genuine group work. Researchers claim the grouped layout creates an ideal environment for chatting and behaving inappropriately rather than focusing on their work.
Research also shows that primary aged pupils with behaviour problems work for twice as long in lessons when they’re sitting in rows rather than groups.
So what did I see in the school today?
A teacher I’ve worked with very closely had heeded advice and had re-arranged her classroom from groups to rows as she was becoming concerned about the standards of behaviour.
And what was the result?
She couldn’t believe the difference in the class. Quieter, more work, more focus and concentration – and the children liked being able to concentrate more having had the temptation to chatter removed.
Give it a try - it works!! The behaviour management strategies I use to successfully manage even the worst behaviour are surprisingly simple but classroom layout is one thing you can do without having to learn anything new – really easy!!
Cheers for now. Liz Marsden @ Behaviour Bible.