Best way to set up your classroom

[mayalevi]

Well...the facing each other thing...I ended up turning them horsheshoe style, because i was having to re-focus and re-focus...they don't like it, but I have their attention now, and they can't so easily talk to each other...had to get to know them to figure it out....

[stepka]

I think your idea has merit, but, and this is a big BUT! You assign the seating. I work with at-risk kids every day and keeping their attention is a never-ending task and some should not be together, ever, but of course those are the ones who fight to be together and then fight when they are together. I'm not being negative though--I love working with them but I just know the pitfalls.