8 Strategic Seating
Definition
Intentional selection of a seat or place in the classroom based on a student’s individual needs and the classroom context.
In action
Consult with the student, their IEP, family, previous teachers to identify previous seating related considerations, needs, and supports to determine the most appropriate space(s) for their learning and engagement in the classroom.
Support Strategies
- Seat the student near peers that support their learning (e.g., social bonds, behaviour model)
- Minimize background noise when students are working in groups
- If the student requires frequent breaks, seat them near the door or the designated area they can go to relax
- Ensure students with audio or visual needs are seated near the necessary equipment or key areas
- Allow for both fixed and flexible seating arrangements
- Describe and model strategic seating choices for students (e.g., “when I need to focus, I sit in a quiet space”)
- Encourage students to self-monitor and self-assess their work skills in various seating arrangements and contexts to increase self-awareness of their own needs.
Case Study
Student: Grade 5 student completing group work.
Content: The student is preparing for a group presentation with their classmates
Problem: The student cannot hear their group member because of the background noise from other groups
Solution: The teacher utilizes a seating arrangement that minimizes background noise so that the students will be able to hear one another more clearly
Additional Resources
- Steps for implementing a strategic seating plan from Accommodation Central
- List of environmental accommodations, including preferential seating, and common barriers to implementing them from the IRIS Center
- Overview of research focused on the use of preferential seating from NCEO
- Classroom seating considerations from EducationWeek
