Seating Assignments?

Question

Tomorrow is the first day of school for my high school students. I plan on placing them in aplhabetical order. Should I do this as they come into class? If so how? Or should I have them sit, introduce myself, and then do alphabetical order? I need something that will be the most organized.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I actually arrange seating trying to mix things up a bit, at least by gender if possible, getting their past teachers' input whenever possible.

I then tape a number to each desk (if it's just rows--when I use more creative formations, I use a letter and a number), and as students are coming in, I position myself at the door and ask their name, then tell them their number.

This way is doubly useful because I'm hearing how they pronounce their names before I have to say it and I get a leg up memorizing names and faces.

True, there's often a line the first day a minute or so after the tardy bell rings, even, but I think it's worth asserting that much order instead of letting them think they have that freedom then yanking it away.

Answer 2

Have you ever read Fred Jones on classroom management? Definitely DO give them seats (I don't care if they are high school kids...it is a discipline issue here). The order is up to you, but perhaps you can tell them this particular arrangement is only for two weeks, until you can get to know their names, or whatever.

Fred Jones says even more than who you put where is how you arrange the seats. No seat should be more than 2 away from you or two from a place you can easily access. It's important to have aisles so you can be within 2 students of any student. Otherwise, you will have a few kids in the red zone (the teacher is too close and I can't get away with anything), more in the yellow zone (the teacher is far enough away for me to get away with some things) and many in the green zone (the teacher can't get to me easily or quickly so I can pretty much do whatever I want).

I can tell you that arrangement can make a big difference in classroom management. Also, each student has a "task" to do in my room. Some students in my room straighten the reading books (I am a French and Spanish teacher). Some pass out papers. Some make sure the calendar is filled out for that day. Some make sure people who leave the room or enter the room after class starts sign in and out. Some watch my projector to make sure people don't mess with it. Some collect and put away markers when we use them. Some collect papers. Some straighten the desks to make sure they are where they are supposed to be (I use masking tape on the floor to make sure I keep my aisles).

Students are also arranged in partners so when they are absent, they are to contact their partner to get caught up.

All of this changes each month when I give them new seats. They get new tasks and new partners.

I've been teaching high school for 20 years and when I let them sit where they want, there WILL be issues I don't have to deal with if I have a seating chart. Not giving them a seating chart, even in high school, gives them an unconscious idea that you are not really in charge of the room.

Since I teach at a very small school, I try not to use alphabetical order because that puts them with all the people they are always set next to, and they have a tendency to talk too much.

Fred Jones' book called, "Tools for Teaching" is terrific.

Answer 3

My husband is probably the craziest HS teacher to ever actually be hired by a public school...but he uses assigned seating and has no problem with it. They keep that seat for the entire semester unless they need to be moved for behavior reasons- and that hardly ever happens. If he moves them, he makes a huge ordeal out of it. He let's them sit down first and then moves him. He's telling me now (I just asked him) that it lets them know who's boss from the beginning. Your students will respect you if you treat them with respect throughout the year and make the class meaningful to them. Seating arrangements aren't the end of the world if YOU decide them (I'm only saying that because of some of the answers you've already gotten). If you try to assign them as they come in, you'll get backed up traffic at the door. It would be more organized to wait until they're seated and then move them.

Answer 4

In high school, this is a bit difficult since you have a different set of students each period. I would suggest having them stand up in some corner of the room, set a timer for 10 minutes, and instruct them that they are to alphabetize themselves by finding out each other's last name and arranging themselves alphabetically. Tell them not to seat themselves until time is up, just to stand in a line or with their alphabetical cohorts. Then, when everyone is done, or time is called, tell them to seat themselves in alphabetical order. Give them 5 minutes to do this. They will shuffle about frantically, but it will work and it serves a dual purpose as an ice-breaker.

Answer 5

Hi!
Have them sit where they want, introduce yourself, and then place them in alphabetical order LAST. Mix it up and do Z to A. Remind them that it is your class and that you can and will change the seats whenever you choose.

Also, explain to them your rationale for the seating-behavior?

I let my students sit where they are most comfortable/want to, but remind them that I can change that at any time.

Answer 6

I know the negative side to this, but from my own experience I would use seating assignments. What you can do (if you don't know the students very well) is tell them you are using the arrangment so you can learn their names. This works. Then they don't think so much that you are treating them like 'kids'

But I think I would do it at the end.

Answer 7

I agree with most, it is HS. Give them a little more independence. Let them know, however, that if they can not accept the responsibility you've given they will lose that bit of freedom.

As they begin to blow it (and they will), let them know that this is the type of behavior that will invoke a seating chart (of your design). You may even want to move that one (or two) person at that time, so that they don't put the majority in jeopardy.

Answer 8

well...if you insist on the seating chart..to be most organized have them take a seat anywhere then later give the chart...if you try and do it as they are coming in it is a wreck because it is hard to tell who to go where if everyone isn't in the door yet......
I suggest no seating chart for high school unless you see a problem later with chatting..etc.

Answer 9

I surely have in many cases considered a chart close to the customer e book with a catalogue of table numbers (or hockey participant names) and then the travellers' names below so as that they comprehend the final direction the place to sit down down. in case you do no longer decide for, you do no longer could label each and each man or woman seat, you are able to basically use that table to tutor them which table they are at, and then permit them to %.. Re: Seating on the ceremony: many times there are people on the back, ushers, who will help direct people to their seats. people comprehend that the 1st few rows are for close relatives and the marriage party and could stay away, yet you might have ushers (brother, cousin, whoever) escort people to their rows. additionally, you are able to basically use a number of your decorations (tulle, bow, small flowers) that may not blow away interior the wine the two to dam the rows you opt for for reserved, or placed on each and all the seats you opt for for reserved, and as quickly as the guy who's meant to sit down down there arrives which could be bumped off. Having a pair of folk to help with directing people the place to (or the place to no longer) sit down would be very efficient, and is particularly undemanding.

Answer 10

well..if i were u i would wait until2 to 3 weeks to get to kno the students then put then in a seating order that would help u and the students.