I've seen a number of teaching blogs and websites talk about flexible seating in recent times, including everything from wobble stools to beanbags.
Today, though, I'd like to talk about one very special seat in my classroom and that is the toadstool.
The toadstool is one of my options for a Star Student prize (you can read more about that here) and is built up to be something very exciting. ONLY the Star Student is allowed to sit on the toadstool and being able to sit in comfort while everyone else is slumming it on the floor is something of a revered position amongst my students.
I also love having hand-crafted things (like puppets!) in my classroom for students to see, touch and experience and this wonderful needle-felted toadstool was made by local artists and sold at Geppetto's Workshop in Sassafras, which I highly recommend checking out if you're ever in the area - so many puppets!
I like the idea of only having one special seating option (the rest of the time my students are either up and moving or just happy to sit on the floor) as this makes the toadstool really stand out as something special for that student.
The other furniture I include is a soft mat, beanbag and cushion pile as part of my "calm-down corner" - one of our school's wellbeing requirements for students who may require a designated place to go and get a handle on their emotions when they're feeling overwhelmed.
What kind of flexible seating arrangements do you have in your classroom? Comment with your ideas!