Slackers, Sabotage and Seating Charts

Think back to when you were in public school. Did you ever walk into class sit down just to find out that your teacher randomly changed the seating chart? That all of the sudden you would have to get used to a whole new view of the classroom, new people around you and struggle to remember what new seat you are now in?

That was not just happenstance folks. That was teacher sabotage.

Today at school the kids could not shut up. If they weren't keeping the entire class updated on their every move, they were calling out every thought that entered their mind. Noise, noise, noise all day long, no matter how many times we called their attention to us, it was gone again after one sentence. So, my cooperating teacher and I sat down together after school and hand-crafted an entire new seating chart for every class.

It was so satisfying.

Again, think back to your middle school days, do you remember that girl with the perma-tude? What about that boy that was super obliviously awkward? Or that one with the dumb jokes that would talk to a wall if no one was by him? Or that girl who gives you a play-by-play of her mental process? What about all those anomalies that make middle school what it is? 

Perma-tude, you now sit by Play-by-Play girl. Wall talker, meet Obliviously Awkward. Other boy who won't be quiet, say hello to Won't-talk-for-the-life-of-her-Asian-girl. Annoying boy, you're now surrounded by three girls. Needy student by teachers desk, you're across the room now because we don't need you to talk to us every time we sit down. Oh you're best friends? Not in my class.

All it took was the simple click of a button, a rearrangement of their six grade pictures and instant happiness ensued. Sweet Victory.

Of course we also broke up some potential bullying hot-spots, kept together friends that work well together and genuinely fixed the seating chart so it'll improve the environment overall. But trust me when I say, I am super excited to see the looks on some of their faces when they get their new table mate. 

As the teacher, we will assign the new seats as though it was run of the mill, nothing big and nothing personal while the student complain they are no longer by their friends. We will look at them blankly like we didn't even notice we broke up such a strong bond when really it's a series of mental celebratory fist pumps and a sense reinstating control. 

Maybe that'll teach you.