To see photos of other classrooms that gave me inspiration, follow my Pinterest Board
Controlled Chaos is a Good Thing:
In our book, The Passion-Driven Classroom (Taylor and Francis Publishers), we address the fact that passion-driven classrooms look and sound like controlled chaos and that's ok! In fact, it is the whole point. When we give up our perceived power and control students have a framework for learning that allows them to move and learn in their own way. When you remove all of the desks, you end up with added open spaces. Some of the students are "runners" and they literally trot from place to place. Of course, we need to have a conversation about being safe and not hurting ourselves by tripping or stepping on a friend, but I have let go of demanding we must walk slowly everywhere.
Do you know why they are trotting around? I realized that they were excited about learning! They can't get to their books fast enough! They are excited about getting their supplies for their passion projects/research! They can't wait to get to be a scientist and make their observations! Of course, we have our reminders about being safe, but I've stopped caring about walking perfectly and slowly in the classroom. I find myself wondering what people are thinking as they walk by my classroom and see this, and I have to stop worrying about it.
Controlled Chaos means Students are Talking:
How cool is it to have three boys each morning gathering around a Marvel Superheroes book (their passion) talking, reading and discussing characters and motives? We have our morning daily work that they must do, however, sometimes I don't really care if they do their morning work because it pains me to stop their love of reading and the thinking conversations that occur. Again, it's giving up that power and control of "the rules" and allowing for moments when students are self-motivated learners.
This is a reminder that learning is social. Creating spaces where students can discuss and talk is evidence that they are learning. We need to talk about our thinking, challenge each other, and learn to listen as well as express ourselves. Total silence is a sign of total independent thinking times (taking a test, studying something intensely, etc).That is also ok, It's when we have too much of either silence or noise that our classrooms become uncontrolled chaos.
It's Really Not About the Desks, it's a Mindset:
Getting rid of desks while keeping a militaristic view of demanding order will not work. It is our mindset that makes it work. I believe:
1. Students learn best when they have choice.
2. Students learn best when they can talk.
3. Students learn best when their teacher lets them be who they are.
4. Students learn best when they are physically comfortable in their environment (and if it means they want a desk, then by all means put on in your classroom!
5. I teach best when I give up my need for complete order.
6. I teach best when I stop demanding perfectly straight lines, perfectly sitting students, and perfectly compliant students.
Basically, I have stopped wasting valuable instructional time since I have stopped demanding students to stop fidgeting, stop talking, and stop blurting. Students don't have to listen to their teacher all day long...telling them what NOT to do and they can focus on what is really important...the learning task.
I will post photos this week with descriptions of positives and challenges of each space for planning purposes next year. I really encourage all of us to invite more controlled chaos in our classroom and go deskless.
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