elementary school classrooms filled with living room furniture

[Anonymous]

I recently took a brief tour of McKinley Elementary School in Arlington, because my son will be attending the school next year.

Most of the classrooms have standard desks and chairs, but, for 4th and 5th graders, some of the rooms look a bit like a den or a living room, with sofas, lamps, soft carpets, etc. The atmosphere seemed a bit unstructured, with kids lounging here and there, some of them sprawled out on the floor, reading books.

Is this a new trend? And does it facilitate learning or hinder it? Are there any McKinley parents who could share their thoughts with me? Does this approach extend beyond McKinley to other schools?

[Anonymous]

I like it! I have seen this now and then. I would have loved that as a kid. Those desks and chairs are uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently took a brief tour of McKinley Elementary School in Arlington, because my son will be attending the school next year.

Most of the classrooms have standard desks and chairs, but, for 4th and 5th graders, some of the rooms look a bit like a den or a living room, with sofas, lamps, soft carpets, etc. The atmosphere seemed a bit unstructured, with kids lounging here and there, some of them sprawled out on the floor, reading books.

Is this a new trend? And does it facilitate learning or hinder it? Are there any McKinley parents who could share their thoughts with me? Does this approach extend beyond McKinley to other schools?

We're not at McKinley, but at another school with classrooms set-up as you describe. I think this approach absolutely facilitates learning. I think most elementary schools are trending this way, incorporating more movement furniture, more cozy reading nooks, places for kids to take a break (responsive classroom technique), places that facilitate the workshop model that the county has adopted. The one exception I've seen is ATS, though that was a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

It's great, but know that all this is coming out of the teacher's wallet.

[Anonymous]

Look up “choice and comfort” as it pertains to learning

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's great, but know that all this is coming out of the teacher's wallet.

This, donations or grant money.

[Anonymous]

Not in VA but I went to a private high school that was like this. My social studies teacher would jump on the couch a la Tom Cruise on Oprah when she got really excited. I learned more there than I ever had in public school.

Kids could sit on the floor, at or on dining room tables, at the teacher's desk, etc. The only rules were 1. Don't fall asleep 2. Don't block someone else's view.

[Anonymous]

I definitely think it hinders penmanship, but then those types of classrooms don't tend to have a lot of writing.

[Anonymous]

yes, flexible seating is a (not very new) trend

[Anonymous]

I’m surprised you’d be concerned about a student sprawled out and reading.

[Anonymous]

I don't think the cost is entirely on the teachers. I know at W&L, they have something called "Gregg's List" where teachers post what they need and families donate items.

[Anonymous]

It is wonderful! I am a huge fan. As for penmanship, each classroom does have some desks, but students are very used to using clipboards.

[Anonymous]

They do a lot of small group work in "stations" at McKinley (which I think is true in most of APS). When the building addition opened last year, the 4th and 5th grade teaching teams spent a lot of time thinking about the design of their "wings"-- it gave them a chance to start with a clean slate, and I personally think they came up with some really clever room configurations. The kids love them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised you’d be concerned about a student sprawled out and reading.

I didn't say I was concerned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised you’d be concerned about a student sprawled out and reading.

I didn't say I was concerned.

Well you called it unstructured so from your post I assumed you were a little concerned. You sounded concerned.