TeacherKit is a simple, easy-to-use, and feature-rich app that makes day-to-day teaching a breeze by eliminating the headache of routine class administration. Teachers can organize classes and manage students easily. It can be used by K12 teachers, Higher Edu faculty, corporate trainers and more. TeacherKit app is available on iOS and Windows 8. Mega Seating Plan was created out of frustration with creating seating charts by hand or through clunky Excel templates. It will save you hours of time every time you want to create a new seating layout for your classroom. Simply import your class data, layout your classroom and generate your seating plan.
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- All Here ($.99): Get a seating chart, attendance tracking, reminder alarms and more. By clicking on a.
- Class Charts is instant seating plans and super fast behavior management for schools. Class Charts helps organise students into appropriate learning groups and minimizes school behaviour issues.
Every lesson is different. There are many teaching methods for your lesson topics, so why not change your classroom interior based on your lesson? Sometimes, students have to work in groups, sometimes you give a presentation, sometimes you do some corner work. Every strategy needs an effective classroom arrangement.
In this post, I’ll show you 19 possible classroom seating arrangements. I’ll also meantion the teaching methods that go with the arranged bench seating and at the end of this post, I added an interactive whiteboard with which you can create your own classroom seating chart.
19 types of seating arrangements for classrooms
1. Pairs
Let’s start with one of the most used bench seating arrangements: Pairs. Pair up students and let them work individual or together. It’s more fun with two but still gives you a nice overview. In this way, students can get their heads together when needed. If they have to work individually, let’s say they have a test, you can place a binding folder between the students. Here, you can also easily divide your classroom into three columns of pairs. Ask, for example, the first column to answer question A, the second column to answer question B and the last column to answer question C. Go over the answers when they’ve finished. That way, you can speed up the classical work.
2. Grid
This seating arrangement is especially handy when testing your students or when you want them to work individually. They can’t talk to each other or let their eyes wander on someone else’s paper. I wouldn’t recommend this seating arrangement in your classroom all the time. Students could get demotivated as they have no-one to “whisper” to.
3. Presentation
Get your students seated next to each other on one line. Repeat this a few times if you have enough classroom space. The purpose is to let students listen to the one in front of the classroom. This can be the teacher, or a student giving a presentation or demonstration. Seating your students this way is a good idea when you want them to focus on the front of the classroom. All students should be able to see something and it’s easier for the one in the front to divide its attention and eye contact.
4. Groups of Four
Use small groups of four when you want your students to put their heads together. You can let them work on an assignment. You can also let them think about a question individually and ask them to deliberate with the other students in the group. Of course, just individual work is also possible. This seating arrangement just makes it a bit more social. When working with “groups of four” students get to sit with others all the time. They get to know each other better and make friends. This seating arrangement is a good idea to start the year.
5. Corner Work
When you’re working on a big project or teaching a comprehensive topic with different aspects or themes, this seating arrangement will do just fine. Assign different tasks to each corner. For example, a (digital) crossword riddle, a quiz, a video with questions, a whiteboard exercise, … All the assignments complete each other. Let your students shuffle so they’ve been to every corner and did every assignment. You can also use it to split up students with the same learning level. One corner where students get more instructions, the other has expansion exercises, one corner has noise-canceling headphones so students can concentrate, etc.
6. U-shape
The U-shape or the horseshoe. This classroom arrangement encourages discussion and makes it easy for the teacher to observe students and give one-on-one help. Don’t use this desk arrangement for group work. This will be almost impossible.
7. Double U-shape
When you have more students or a smaller classroom, you can choose for the double U-shape arrangement. This allows you to put more students next to each other. It’s very cozy but has some disadvantages as well. For example, it’s harder for the teacher to go around in the classroom. One-on-one support is more or less off the table here. Students in the back might feel a bit left out as well. It’s best to use this arrangement when giving a presentation or when teaching in front of the classroom.
8. U-shape Large Classroom
You can see where I’m going here. Let’s say you have a large classroom and a lot of students, then you can definitely use this student desk arrangement. In contrast to the double u-shape arrangement, this u-shape for in a large classroom doesn’t really cast students out. There’s no separate “U” in the front, which makes it more open to the students in the back.
9. Conference Small Classroom
Are you teaching a small group of students? In that case, the conference classroom arrangement is a possibility. The “conference classroom” gives your students an “equal voice” and a snapshot of a business meeting room. Use the conference seating arrangement when making classroom rules, planning an event, for an intervention, a class discussion, etc. You can also practice speech (foreign language) by letting the students facing each other talk to each other. Let them switch places and move on to the next student in line and talk about another topic.
10. Conference Large Classroom
Don’t worry though, there’s a conference classroom layout for many students and a large classroom as well. Use this just like mentioned above. The only thing that’s not possible is letting students face each other and talk directly to them. Don’t use it for group work either.
11. Herringbone
This interesting student desk arrangement serves two purposes. It is rows of two, three or four, but slightly turned so they face the center of the classroom. This way, students give full attention to the teacher or students at the front of the classroom, and they can join in on a classroom discussion easily. You can also let your students work together with the ones on their row.
12. Rows
This is used most of the time in higher education when students have to listen to the teacher in the front. Here, the teacher can’t give any one-on-one feedback as it’s hard to reach students in the middle. It’s a seating arrangement to get as many students in one classroom.
13. Computer Combination
Any of the other classroom seating arrangements work with portable devices like laptops, chromebooks or tablets. When you’re in a classroom with student desks and computers, you can use this classroom layout. It gives you an overview of your students’ computers.
14. Butterfly
This one is probably new to you. Let your students work individually, yet they sit together. This middle of the butterfly serves as a place where students go for extra instructions or a new assignment. Everything will be spread out on those desks in the middle. The teacher will be available to give more guidance when needed as well.
15. Eye
Use eye-formation when you’re setting up a debate or discussion. Select a group of students that will debate in the middle of the eye. The rest will be the audience.
16. Circle
The circle is a classic seating formation in which you encourage your students to join a classroom talk or discussion. It’s more or less the same as the conference classroom seating.
17. Large Groups
Split your classroom into two large groups. Let the groups work on bigger projects like organizing an event, putting together a play, setting up their own “company”, keep a political meeting with different representatives,etc. Keep in mind that it might get loud in your classroom.
18. Horseshoes
Use this classroom desk arrangement to encourage discussion in smaller groups.Introduce some bold statements or “problems” about your teaching topic and let your students discuss them in their groups (in a foreign language you’re teaching languages). Encourage your students to come to a consensus or a solution to the problem.
19. Banquet
Use this classroom seating layout for two things:
- Let students talk to the one facing them (discussion, practice a foreign language, get to know each other, etc.).
- Divide your classroom into two groups. Let them work together on bigger projects like in number 17. Let them organize an event, put together a play, set up their own “company”, etc.
Create your own classroom seating arrangement
I guess these are more or less all the possible classroom seating arrangments. Of course, you can make combinations of different classroom layouts and adapt them to your own classroom and available space. Use this basic lesson plan template with a whiteboard below. Use the stickers I created to set up your own classroom layout for your teaching purpose. It’s not a classroom seating arrangement app, but it comes close. It gives you much more freedom as you can draw your own classroom layout.
Wrap up
Every classroom is different. The most important thing is that students feel confident and trust the classroom environment. Make sure to move around your student desks from time to time so you have the perfect classroom seating arrangement for your lesson.
Share this post with other teachers to inspire them! Check out the suggested posts below as I think they will help you with your teaching.
Seating charts are a visual representation of where people will sit in a given space, such as a classroom or wedding hall. Seating charts are commonly used to organize the seating arrangements for a large group of people and are commonly used for weddings, corporate events, classes, support groups, etc. One cool and convenient way of creating seating charts is by using a seating chart maker; this can be an online tool or mobile app. Many online tools are dedicated to helping people create charts and graphs for everyday use. Hence, you can use a professional seating chart app to make seating charts for any purpose. If you don’t know where to find a good seating chart maker, then don’t worry.
To ease your pain, we have combined a list of the 7 best seating chart makers for you!
Top 7 Seating Chart Makers & Apps
1. Edraw Max
Edraw Max is a very useful tool for graphics, whether you want digital drawings, charts, graphs, or technical diagrams. With the help of unlimited drawing tools and customizable free templates, you can create any type of visual content using Edraw Max. It contains various templates for seating charts, whether you want to plan a corporate event, wedding plan, classroom seating, etc. With the help of this seating chart maker, create interesting charts in just a few simple steps. Moreover, you can save and export your diagrams in other file formats as well.
Pricing:
- Online Tool: Free
- Perpetual License: $139
- Lifetime License: $179
- Annual Subscription: $99
Supported Systems: Windows, Mac, Linux and Web
Software Tool URL: https://www.edrawsoft.com/edraw-max/
2. Visual Paradigm
Visual Paradigm is a great online tool to create seating charts and has rich editing and formatting options. Using this software, you can create custom seating charts rapidly for professional use. You can also create many other kinds of diagrams with this seating chart app. Hence, Visual Paradigm can be used for architecture projects, visual modeling, business modeling, diagramming, and code engineering. All in all, the visual Paradigm is a multipurpose online tool to create organizational charts as well.
Pricing: According to its licensing options
Supported Systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, and Web
Software Tool URL: https://www.visual-paradigm.com/
3. Canva
Canva is a versatile designing platform to create different multimedia content such as infographics, social media graphics, posters, presentations, and much more. It has quickly become the top app for creating visual content of different types, particularly for online use. Canva can also be used to create custom seating plans using a wide range of templates and editing options. It is free to use; however, the premium version offers bonus features like premium templates and additional formatting tools.
Pricing:
- Basic: Free
- Pro: $8.99 per month, billed annually
- Enterprise: $27 per month, billed annually
Supported Systems: Mobile and Web
Classroom Seating Chart App For Macs
Software Tool URL: https://www.canva.com/
4. SmartDraw
Similar to Edraw and other popular graphics tools, SmartDraw is a versatile software that can be used to produce a wide range of visual content. SmartDraw is used for business charts and graphics, technical diagrams, illustrations and much more. You can also use it as a seating chart maker and create stunning seating plans for any occasion. The best thing about SmartDraw is that it has a simple user interface. However, it is not free to use.
Pricing:
- Single User: $297 (one-time payment)
- Multiple Users: $595 (annually)
Supported Systems: Windows and Web
Software Tool URL: https://www.smartdraw.com/
5. Mega Seating Plan
Mega Seating Plan is an online website that allows you to create seating plans for the classroom. It is a simple and easy platform for teachers to make custom seating arrangements. While it is a useful tool, it is limited to classroom seating plans. Hence, it lacks other options and custom drawing tools, making it a weak contender as compared to other options on the list. With that being said, Mega Seating Plan is excellent for classroom specific seating charts.
Classroom Seating Chart App For Mac Windows 7
Pricing:
- Silver: $0.99 per month
- Gold: $299 per year
- Platinum: $499 per year
Supported Systems: Web
Software Tool URL: https://www.megaseatingplan.com/
6. RSVPify
RSVPify is a website that enables you to create and send customizable and elegantly designed invitations and seating plans. You can design your entire event using this single platform. From meal plans and guest lists to seating charts, RSVPify has everything you need to create a stunning event, no matter how big or small it is. One drawback is that this online planner does not have a desktop version, but you can download the iOS app.
Pricing:
Wedding Seating Chart App
- Premium: $29+
- Platinum Enterprise: $189+
Supported Systems:: iOS
Software Tool URL: https://rsvpify.com/
7. Social Tables
Social tables is an event planner software which allows users to create custom seating plans. Hence, it also works as a seating chart app. This collaborative software is excellent for planning events from within a few simple steps. With this single app, you can find venues, plan invites, make guest lists, and create seating charts and what not! Get Social Tables to plan your events with ease, efficiency, and comfort.
Pricing:
- Professional: $199 billed monthly
- Custom packages: Contact and quote
Supported Systems:: iOS and Web
Software Tool URL: https://www.socialtables.com/
We have discussed seven of the best software for planning, designing and creating seating charts in a quick and easy way. Let’s see which one you should pick.
Find Your Ideal Seating Chart Maker
The list mentioned above contains options for an individual as well as professional planners. Each seating chart maker mentioned in the list above comes with its own features, so how do you know which one to choose? Well, we will help you decide!
Classroom Seating Chart Creator
If you are planning an entire event from scratch, then Social Tables and RSVPify are better suited to your needs as both these websites cover everything you need to plan a fabulous event. Now, if you have to make a seating chart for classrooms, then Mega Seating Plan is the one for you. Whereas, if in case of a one-time task, any of the remaining five apps can help you create a seating plan for any purpose. The only limiting factors here are the subscription and operating systems, i.e., some apps have high subscription prices while others do not support all systems. However, there is one multimedia software which is not only free but has unlimited templates, multiple drawing tools, and is available on all terminals – Edraw Max!
Edraw Max can help you create multiple seating charts within a few minutes with the help of amazing drawing tools, multiple formatting options, and free templates. Moreover, you can use it to make other types of visual content as well!