A morning ritual that starts the students' day off in a positive direction is a circle meeting, according to Mike Anderson, teacher and author of the book "What Every 4th Grade Teacher Needs to Know." He recommends scheduling frequent and regular circle meetings throughout the day to begin and end activities, initiate transitions, such as lunch or recess, and deliver instructions and announcements. For longer-term activities, students may easily become restless seated in a circular format.
The circular classroom seating arrangement is by far the most conducive for supporting on-task activities, which are hands-on, interactive assignments, such as games, building models or developing a three-dimensional art project, according to the Journal of Educational Psychology. It supports students' motor and creative thinking skills, which thrive in groups, as opposed to independent, introverted projects that require individualized seating.
A particular teaching philosophy may dictate a circular seating arrangement. In a student-led classroom environment, group seating gives opportunities for working together to find solutions, stimulating discussions and seeking and providing feedback. A teacher is a facilitator rather than a leader. Focusing teaching solely on one philosophy is limiting, and alternating seating arrangements is essential. Individualized seating is important at least some of the time because if only group learning is emphasized, shyer, less-talented students may resist participating.
Some classrooms have limited space, which may necessitate a temporary circular seating arrangement with light, moveable chairs or desks that slide easily. Chairs give students physical boundaries, which improves self-control, and furniture contributes to a mood of safety and permanence that gives focus, but moving furniture frequently is also a distraction and space limitations may naturally lead to forming a circle on the floor. A floor circle is sustainable for only short durations, for check-in meetings and announcements. Chairs and desks are necessary for longer-term projects, assignments and group learning.