Assign students their own desks labeled clearly with their name on top to let them know where they need to sit. A child with his own desk will feel a sense of responsibility to care for the desk, keep it clean and free of damage. If the desk has a drawer or storage place, the child can keep his own things neat and organized. The downside of individual desks is the amount of space they take up. If you have a large room, consider individual desks. If you are working in a smaller space, this may not be a viable option for you.
Larger tables can be divided into two or six individual pods, or personal spaces, by dividing the table surface into equal areas with masking tape. Children can still have personal spaces that can be indicated with name tags but also have the advantage of learning to work with small groups of peers. This table method saves space, but can produce some distractions because children are in proximity to one another and will be able to talk with one another easily.
Individual work space may be abandoned entirely if you organize your classroom to have specific work stations. Designate one area of the classroom for an arts and craft station, one for English, one for math, and an area for science and other projects. Bring the classroom together to explain what will be happening at the various table stations in the room. Then divide the class into smaller groups, which will then take turns rotating through the various stations throughout the day.
Using a combination of individual desk space---either desks or pods---and stations works well in most situations. Create pods or desk areas for the students to do individual work in English and math. Additionally, offer stations for specific subjects and activities. Children will have the ability to learn to work independently at their own desks, but still have the chance to work in small groups and learn the important skill of being a member of a group. Work stations may include an arts and crafts table, a sand box or water table for leisure time and a reading table.