Research it...students do better when they aren't allowed to hide behind desks picking at their fingernails. Without anything to hide behind, the students gain knowledge at a faster rate than those who are allowed to sit at desks.

I am a first grade teacher and considering rid of desks due to the number of students and the size of my classroom. I have had so many students fall and literally bust their lip due to crowded environment. I am not sure what to do, there is no room, I get new students and have no desks or space for them.

Since OP started this post a year ago, I wonder what ever happened with her second grader's classroom... Did they ever get desks???

This is a joke post, right? Please tell me it is.

And that is why there are places in the classroom for kids to do their "serious" writing. I prefer to not write at a desk.(table) Others do. That is why there needs to be a variety of places for students to go to so they can be comfortable.

Desks, OK. But no TABLES? If I'm doing serious writing, I don't sit on the couch, or in bed. I sit at a TABLE.

As an elementary teacher, we need to think outside the box on how to teach students and how they effectively learn. We are so use to having kids in desks that when someone does something outside the box it is called insane. I for one am going to try to have only a limited amount of desks int he classroom. I have chosen to do this after going to a conference given my the two sisters who have written and the Books The Cafe and The Daily Five. My students will be doing a lot of reading in the classroom. How often do you read in a desk? We don't we read in our beds, on the couch, on a pillow on the floor. Desks can sometimes hinder the creativity of students. As a parent want my own children to learn. And if that means the teacher is going to try to have limited desks in the classroom, I am all for it. I will have some desks for those learners that need them (because we all have different learning styles). I can't wait to see my students grow and learn in this type of environment. Maybe you should ask the teacher her purpose and why she chose to do what she is doing. You might like the answer. As parents we also need to think outside the box.

If this is is at Lafayette the teacher is very experienced and OP you have nothing to worry about. I wouldn't post here for guidance, talk to other parents at the school and the principal if it is of major concern to you.

Several of my 5th graders have been begging me to teach them how to write in cursive. Apparently none of their previous teachers or the principal thought this was an important skill to teach.

Anonymous wrote:I am very concerned about my 2nd graders classroom this year and wonder whether any parents have experience with/ insights about this kind of set-up. My child's classroom has no desks; rather, students are to use clipboards whenever writing. There are chairs for, as my child put it, "special occasions." There are also two tables, but there are only 3 chairs between the two of them. I am puzzled about how students will practice their penmanship, and I am more concerned about their discipline and focus if all lessons are learned while sitting on the floor. As for cubbies, according to my child, only the girls get a place to hang their backpacks; the boys (as I saw this a.m.) are to throw their backbacks on a bench in the room. I plan to ask the teacher why she has planned her classroom this way, but it's only day two, so I haven't had the chance. Any insights would be MUCH appreciated, because, as both a parent and upper school teacher, I am very concerned about this model! I am also surprised that this set-up is allowed by DCPS, but I am trying to keep an open mind, hence the posting. Thank you!

Handwriting is not even on Michelle Rhee's radar. Why? Because it's not tested. When I brought up my child's difficulty with handwriting to his DCPS principal, I was told that nobody writes anything anymore, they just key.

After that conversation, I pulled my child out of DCPS, started homeschooling, and ordered Handwriting Without Tears.

Sounds like it really might be a space issue. DCPS is busting at the seams this year.

I'd start with the teacher. Then go to the principal. I would not get Rhee involved unless the principal supports this idea of no chairs or desks or tables.

I too have had great teachers with no school-age children, 23:54. But the ones who wanted to try out their education theories on their students never did! They often turn out to be amazing teachers. This one might, too.

WHAT? I would be furious if my child didn't have a desk! I would be in the principal's office right now! That not acceptable. What is she talking about that only girls can hang up their backpacks??? That is crazy!

The teacher is both experienced and a parent. Don't know the reason behind the decision other than the class is crowded when the desks are in there.

Maybe email Michelle Rhee if talking with the principal isn't helpful?