First Day Seating Tip

I just wanted to share a little first day seating tip with you that I have been doing for years. Actually, it didn't seem like much of a tip until I was talking to a colleague about it and she said that she had never thought of that before and it sounded like a blog post to her! ;)

Where will each student choose to sit?
Anyway, the first day of school, I intentionally leave all of the seats open. I don't put name tags down at all. I allow the students to sit next to whomever they wish and wherever they would like.

I know. I gasp just went out amongst some of you.

How could I leave such an uncertainty up to chance? What if the kids choose the wrong person to sit next to? They may.....TALK! Ahhhh!

Yeah, I know.

But here is why I do it.

By allowing the students to sit where they want on the first day, they are telling me a few things. First, I am able to see who is an "eager beaver" and who is a "shrinking violet". I can easily spot those who are staying back and those who race to the front to be near me. Secondly, I can tell who is friends with whom. Kids (just like adults) tend to sit with their friends when given a choice. Third, and most importantly, the talkers show themselves immediately. They just can't contain their excitement...and couple that with sitting by their friends....

By allowing the students this little freedom in the beginning of class, I am able to gauge them and get an immediate feeling for who they are as a whole and individually.

What is one way you get a feel for your class in those first few hours of your first day?