Flexible Seating

Ok, I know that it's the end of the year and the last thing on the mind of most people is how to set up their room for next year. But I have a complex.  So here it goes.
I love flexible seating. We have all sorts of places for students to sit our class.  This includes chairs and tables, which are frequently used, but dependent on the task.  Having said that, there is a rocking recliner in the room that has had a young person sitting in it everyday, a million times a day. Again, it depends on the task.
It's important to note that restrictions don't (usually) come from me.  The students have been trained in the art of choosing Good Fit Spots as outlined in the Daily 5 books, and they know what works for them, just like I know when or if they are abusing their chosen spot, in which case I intervene.  But I have been trying really hard not to tell students where to sit as much as help them identify what's not working and find a spot that does.  Oh, and these conversations go on all year. I think it's because their kids.  And they need to hear things a billion and one times, no matter their age.  Let's face it, if my mother were sitting in my house right now, she'd be telling me to pick up the clothes off my bedroom floor just like she did a billion and one times when I lived at home.  I guess in a way she is telling me, because I can hear her in my head...ugh. I'll be right back.
Ok.  Clothes off the floor.  Clearly, I digress.
I guess the point I was making was this: kids love flexible seating, and they almost always make the right choice.  But should they not, I am there to remind them of the expectations.  And when they start to veer off track I can't say, "Oh, my class can't handle that freedom.  They just abuse any privilege they get."  In that moment, I take a breath, remember that I didn't start flexible seating as a reward but a support for learning, try to figure out what I did wrong, and GO BACK TO BASICS.  (Um, Hamster Wheel anyone???)
So, to inspire you for a seating change next year, I found a great post on flexible seating.  (Thank you Pinterest!)  The post references a Kindergarten room, but the ideas are very easily transferable (or tweak-able) for any grade.  Enjoy this link to flexible seating, and I hope you give it a go!