Benefits of Using a Seating Chart in a Secondary Education Classroom

While mixed groups, cooperative learning, and strategies to physically move students in a classroom have been increasingly popular trends, it is still important to establish a seating chart. This article explores reasons why a teacher should maintain a seating chart in a high school classroom, written from a teacher's perspective.

Probably the most obvious reason for developing a seating chart is for use at the beginning of the year. Secondary education teachers typically have to learn over one hundred new student names each year. Having a resource with a repetitive pattern of seats helps the teacher get to know students' names in a timely manner. In addition, when a student arrives at a class with a specific seat assigned to him or her, it generates a sense of belonging right from the beginning. Additionally, if a student cannot find his or her name on the seating chart, it quickly becomes evident when a student has arrived in the wrong class. The teacher can then help the student find the correct class without the student being embarrassed about leaving five minutes later after a roster has been read aloud.

From a practical standpoint, use of a seating chart can not only help teachers get to know students, but can also save time. The use of every minute of learning is touted as being extremely important in these days of "lots to teach and no time to teach it." A great time management strategy is to take attendance quickly from glancing at a seating chart. Finding the empty seats is often quicker than discovering which seats are filled, and certainly faster than reading every student's name aloud.

A third reason to utilize a seating chart in secondary education is to help a substitute teacher. Many substitute teachers hope for a seating chart to make dealing with students an easier process. Not only does a chart help the sub with attendance, but it allows a substitute to ask individuals questions during the teaching process. It gives the substitute power of information, and knowledge that the classroom has an organizational structure. Finally, if a student gives a substitute teacher any sort of problem, it is easier for the sub to correctly identify the student rather than relying upon a classmate to provide a name of the troublemaker.

Finally, a seating chart can also help meet student accommodations for those on a 504 plan or special education plan. A specific seating arrangement can keep trouble makers apart and can also guarantee that those with difficulty seeing the board will have room in the front of the classroom.

Of course, some teachers are resistant to using a seating chart or simply do not want to put in the time to create one. These teachers should be aware, however, that they can always move students around during the hour after attendance is taken. A seating chart should be seen as a positive tool in a teacher's toolbox. It really can contribute to a smoothly run classroom.

What do you think about seating charts? Do you use one in your classroom? Please comment below.