We practiced what this looked and sounded like several times each day over the first few weeks of school. I also gave everyone the opportunity to try all the different types of seating (round-robin style) on the first few days of school. I then transitioned to me placing students and then allowed them to start choosing their own spots. I copied this framework from the Daily 5 method. I find it works extremely well. Especially if you practice what it looks like and sounds like.

I only had a few issues at the beginning of the year with students testing the rules, but by making sure I followed through on the rules, the issues stopped. When I was off work for four months, my replacement had some issues with the flexible seating (the students were testing her as they did with me at the beginning of the year). Having the last rule is extremely important, as this allows for subs, replacements, specialists or any other teacher to move a student at any time if they are not following the rules.

I translated this poster with a colleague from a post I found on Pinterest. Check it out here (you can click on the photos):