How to Manage Students Who Work at Tables and Not Desks

When students work at group tables rather than individual desks, the classroom seems to get a little louder, a little more chaotic and a lot harder to teach. The arrangement of tables, placement of specific students and table organizers can make all the difference. Managing students who work in grouped table arrangements is crucial to the learning development of those students.

Instructions

1

Rearrange the tables in the classroom. Place the tables in a diamond position from the front of the classroom. The table should not have an edge that is parallel with the white board; rather, a corner should be pointing at the white board. A common problem with tables in a classroom is that half of the students have their back turned to the teacher at all times. Their bodies block the teacher from seeing that they are even paying attention. By angling the tables, no student's back is ever facing the teacher, and the teacher is able to see what is going on at the tables at all times.

2

Remove friends from tables with other friends. Replace them with students who are not friends. A boy/girl rotation can also help break up students from talking if the students are young. When children are placed at a grouped table with their friends, more chatting, note passing and disruptions occur. By splitting up friends and using a rotating gender seating pattern, you ensure students are less likely to pay attention to their table mates and more likely to pay attention to their teacher.

3

Put organizers on each table or beneath each chair. Unlike desks, tables do not have a place for students to store their learning materials and personal belongings. It is quite a commotion when students need to go to their backpacks each time they need a new sheet of paper or another pencil. By giving each table an organizer bin, students can store learning materials an arm's length away. Consider making personal organizer bins if students are constantly losing or stealing items from a group bin.

4

Create a card system. Card systems keep track of problem students and the amount of disruptions they cause throughout the school day. Create a card holder for each student in the classroom. Write their names on the card holder and create a flip card with four different symbols. Each time a child disrupts the class or their table mates, ask him to flip the card to a new symbol. If a child is a constant disruption, you may consider moving him from his current table.