Hertz Furniture
In this most recent Extreme Makeover Classroom Edition, Hertz Furniture generously donated some INCREDIBLE pieces from the Academia Furniture line. We are so in love with the “Innovation Pods” and Sit/Stand Desks that we added to Layla’s room! We added 4 Sit/Stand Table, 2 Innovation Pods, each with 4 Dry-Erase desks and 1 Small-Group Dry Erase table with rolling stools. They completely transformed her classroom into an innovative, collaborative space that anyone would want to be a part of!
These pieces are extremely high-quality. They are beautiful, strong and easy to assemble. The tables and chairs were all easy to move and could be configured in many ways. *I highly recommend these for any classroom or office!
Flexible Seating
As most of you know, I am a major supporter of flexible seating. There are several major benefits to flexible seating in your classroom. When students are given the opportunity to make decisions for themselves, they will grow their experiences with problem solving, responsibility and proactivity. Flexible seating promotes student choice and conflict resolution skills. Flexible seating options allow students to work more collaboratively than traditional desks and tables. *The Dry/Erase Innovation Pod desks allow for multiple configurations and are easily moved.
Creating a flexible seating environment promotes a sense of community in the classroom. Instead of students growing territorial over their space or supplies, they learn to share, to think in “we” and “our” terms instead of “me” and “my” terms. They begin to feel like they are all a part of their classroom. Grouping and pairing can also happen more smoothly when the space belongs to everyone, instead of everyone belonging to one space. There are so many more benefits, as well, including sensory stimulation, physical health benefits and even student commitment. For more info on flexible seating, check out these articles: https://specialedresource.com/9-benefits-of-flexible-seating-in-education, https://specialedresource.com/9-benefits-of-flexible-seating-in-education , https://www.edutopia.org/article/reflections-shifting-flexible-classroom.
Dry Erase Desks
Have y’all seen these dry-erase desks?? I am completely obsessed with them! I loved writing on my desktops with dry-erase markers, but always knew that I would end up having to double clean them to keep them from staining. These Innovation Pod desks are built with a dry-erase board right on top. Students can write and erase easily! In addition, the triangle shape of the desks allows a variety of space-saving configurations! Students can pair up or work in quads. They can remove the chairs and work collaboratively using the desks as one big table-top!! Like, I said, I am completely obsessed!
Sit/Stand Desks
The Sit/Stand desks that we added to this classroom are also incredible! First, they are GORGEOUS! With beautiful wood tops and sleek, black legs, these tables make the classroom look so modern! One of the things I love about these desks is that they offer a sit or stand option. Students can work from the chair stools or simply stand and work at a comfortable height. We chose to place three stools at each table so that each group offered at least one standing position. But, the stools can easily be moved to accommodate the learners in the classroom.
Opening Up the Classroom
If you want to make a classroom feel more open, vary the heights of your seating options and use space-conscious shapes. You want to steer clear of the rows of desks and tables can allow you to create “spaces” in the room that you never saw before! I can not thank Hertz Furniture enough!! Their contribution truly helped us transform Layla’s classroom. Now, with these flexible seating options, the room is completely opened up. We were even able to fit a couch seating area and a small two-lounge chair seating area for addition flexible seating options.
