Tables

[davergrl]

I teach fifth grade. This is my first year teaching with tables. My principal is getting rid of desks each year and ordering tables. I understand the idea behind it but I'm not sold on it yet. Here is my issue....yes, some students can handle it but some kids are very immature...need more space, aren't organized with their "stuff" and also have a habit of "wandering eyes". We are only going into the third week and I'm ready to pull my hair out. Does anyone have any suggestions for working with tables?

I have 24 students with 6 tables. 4 at each table. Not a big room so we are kind of smooshed in. HELP!

[teacher5]

First of all stay smooshed. Too many at a table breeds social interaction not related to the curriculum. As for the supplies and books, you need to get plastic bins or partitioned shelf space for each student to keep his or her supplies. I agree. It is ridiculous to have tables with no storage space for student supplies and books. Next year or the year after they are going to the middle school and they will at least have a locker. So get them to order you plastic bins big enough to hold the books and supplies for each kid. When they take tests, they need to get out an empty folder and put it up as a partition to protect "their privacy." I use those words. Also, make sure you have boys and girls at each table. If necessary, you will need to store all the books on a shelf and have table monitors distribute and collect the books for each period. Just wait until the principal decides to get rid of your desk and chair! My principal tried it in the younger grades. The teachers wound up using a table and buying their own rolling three tiered drawer carts to store stuff in and put them under the table. Good luck. I hope my suggestions help you.

[Boxcar]

I hated tables in middle school! They were very nice tables, but I wanted my own space. I think having the bins is a really good idea. It will make the students feel less crowded. Cover sheets will also work for tests. You have the students take a blank piece of paper and slide it down as they write to cover up answers.

[davergrl]

thanks guys...these are really good suggestions. i think one of the main probs is that some of the kids had tables last year but most did not. So they just don't know how to act.

[Boxcar]

They'll get used to it. Hey, my preschoolers have tables. Even if your kids are that immature, they can still handle it in time.