Desks arranged in groups typically result in more off-task conversations than other formations.

As a newer teacher, your success in the classroom will largely come down to classroom management.  Is your class a respectful, safe, and orderly place for learning?  Don’t overlook the role of classroom setup in that success.  The ideal classroom environment:

• minimizes distractions while maximizing time on task
• makes your policies and procedures easy to implement
• is welcoming and aesthetically pleasing without costing you any money

Let’s start with the arrangement of the desks.

Classroom Desk Arrangement

Potential impact on classroom management: High

When thinking about desk arrangement, the size and shape of your classroom may dictate your decision-making.  Let’s assume you have a standard-sized room with about 30 desks.  Three configurations account for 99% of the classrooms we see.

Old-fashioned rows rate best for direct instruction and independent work.

Desk Formation #1: Straight Rows 

Pros:

• Good use of classroom space (likely gives you maximum space between desks)
• Every desk is facing the front
• The board and the teacher are the focal point of the room
• Inhibits disruptive talking, yet still works well with turn-and-talk style student discussion

Cons:

• Viewed as “old school”; lacks creativity
• Can be difficult for the teacher to access students seated in the middle or back
• Group work requires the movement of desks
• Does not encourage student interaction; is “teacher-centered”

The semi-circle formation is ideal for class discussions.  

Desk Formation #2: U-shaped or Semi-Circle 

Pros:

• Easier for the teacher to have proximity to each desk
• Creates a large presentation area in the middle
• Promotes student interaction, especially whole class discussion

Cons:

• Some students have to turn their heads to face the front
• Students face each other across the room, which can be distracting or lead to disruption
• Less efficient use of space means desks are likely closer together
• Cumbersome transition into groups of 3 or 4 

Pod formations are best for tasks that ask students to interact.

Desk Formation #3: Pods/Groups

Pros:

• Student-centered
• Encourages student interaction and group work
• Students can easily ask peers clarifying questions (fewer questions for you)
• An increased sense of community

Cons:

• Classroom management challenges – pods will increase the amount of talking between students 
• The focus for students is more on partners and less on the teacher or the board 
• More challenging setup for direct instruction or independent work

Our verdict on desk arrangement?  

Keep it simple — choose a base arrangement of straight rows. 

Then, teach your students a procedure for quickly turning desks into groups of 3 or 4 as needed.  This versatility allows you to switch seating arrangements within a lesson.

One recent study on desk arrangements suggests that the best desk formation depends on the task.  

Research revealed the benefits of pods during tasks that require student interaction.  When asked to complete independent work, students performed better with desks in straight rows.

Above all, you want a classroom setup that will make it easier to teach the content.

Other Classroom Setup Considerations

1. The Teacher Desk

Potential impact on classroom management: Medium to high

We recommend making your desk off-limits to students.  The corner or the back of the room works well because it’s not in the main flow of student traffic.  

If you give students access to your desk, they will freely open drawers in search of scissors or a paper clip.  Malicious behavior can result as well – the type of behavior that has you filling out a report in the office.  Although we occasionally see teachers have no problems with an “open desk policy”, why risk it? 

2. Classroom Wall Decoration Dos and Don’ts

Potential impact on classroom management: Low

Most new teachers probably don’t have much to put on the wall.  The good news is that a 2015 study on the impact of classroom decoration found that students can be overwhelmed by too many stimuli on the wall. You should aim to keep 20-50% of the wall clear.  

So what should you display on the wall?

• Your class expectation or your school’s code of conduct.
• Visuals that are welcoming, inspirational, or content-related 
• Student work (as the year goes on)
• Save a small section of the board for reminders or homework due dates.

Wall decoration best practices:

• Don’t display student scores or grades
• Avoid clutter on the wall 
• Don’t cover up windows – research shows that natural sunlight can boost learning gains 

3. Student Supplies

Potential impact on classroom management: Medium

To cut down on wasted class time, be prepared with extra pencils and paper, and anything else students may need.  We suggest having a set location in class where students can jump up and grab a pencil without stopping your lesson to ask for one.  

Keep the supply station separate from your desk.

4. Post Your Lesson Agenda or Objectives

Potential impact on classroom management: Medium

When students enter your room, the first thing many of them want to know is, “What are we doing today?”  You can reduce the volume of these questions by posting your agenda or objectives on the board or the first slide of your presentation.

Many administrators ask that learning objectives be posted, so you might as well get in the habit. (Research does show that communicating the learning goal is beneficial for students.)

Have a dedicated section of your board for homework assignments and due dates.  Although students rely heavily on learning management systems to stay abreast of due dates, it’s still helpful to have a physical reminder posted in class.

5. Other decorations (action figures, model airplanes, etc.)

Potential impact on classroom management: Medium

We’ve seen some interesting classroom decorations over the years!  Fish tanks, board games, velcro dart boards, couches, wellness corners, model airplanes, and the list goes on and on.  These items personalize the room and make it a more enjoyable place, which is great.  Just ask yourself if the added value is worth the distraction.  If so, bring in that Lego collection! 

As a newer teacher focusing on classroom management, the Wolverine figurine on your desk may be more trouble than fun.

Is your room safe and comfortable?

Potential impact on classroom management: Medium

Student safety is your priority, of course.  But a “no” to any question below can also cause distractions and off-task students. 

• Can students move around freely and sit comfortably?
• Is there a clear path to the exit in an emergency?
• Is there anything in the classroom that could be dangerous?  
• Are the desks in working order?
• Are any electrical cords in the way?

How “at home” do you want students to feel?

Potential impact on classroom management: High

You’ll see teachers create a “comfort corner” — some way to make the students feel more at home in class.  This can take the form of a couch, an easy chair, a meditation corner, a tea bar, or a place for snacks.  We applaud teachers for (yet again) going above and beyond for students.

For new teachers, we recommend avoiding the “comfort corner” for a couple of years.  A couch in the classroom instantly becomes a classroom management issue.  (Trust me…)  Same with the bean bag chairs and the yoga mats.  If you’re teaching a class on Mindfulness or Meditation, have at it.  Otherwise, you’ll likely regret creating a space that doesn’t directly support a culture of productivity.

What about you?

How do you set up your class?  What’s worked? What hasn’t worked?  We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!

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