Organising your classroom can be tricky, especially when behaviour is an issue.
Here are two layouts that I find work, one for groups and one for rows.
Personally, I prefer groups because I find it easier for behaviour. I realise this is a pretty different experience from a lot of teachers. Here is why it works:
- Groups take up less space than rows because the front of the desks are touching. This makes it easier for small spaces.
- It’s easier to keep trickier kids away from each other, and to angle them so that they aren’t looking at each other.
- I can move around more easily with no barriers – I can teach from any part of the room and move quickly to any student.
- I can easily see every student.
- I value carpet space for getting kids to change positions, making transitions easier.

Group organisation
Table arrangement: I keep the centre of the room clear and arrange groups around the outside – even touching the cupboards if needed. All groups are angled so that all kids can pretty easily see without looking past another head. No one is facing the back – leaving a space for me at the front of each group.
Behaviour groups: The pink desks are my first pick for where the trickier to manage kids sit. They are all at the centre of the space, and angled to not be looking at each other. The trickiest are at the front, with smaller groups. I make sure that better behaved kids who are sitting with a tricky kid have their best friend with them.
Rows organisation
Table arrangement: I arrange the tables so that no more than three kids are in a row, except at the very back. Long rows make it hard to get to the kids, creating potential problems. I arrange them so that if three desks are in the front row, two are in the next. This means I can have corridors through to the back. I offset the back row so that I can easily see all the kids. The rows are also angled so that the kids can see the board more easily.
Behaviour: It is trickier to separate kids using rows than using groups. The pink desks are my first pick for where the trickier to manage kids sit. I could also use the middle aisle of the second row if absolutely necessary, but it becomes much harder.

High school:
I tend to use the group layout. I teach kids where to move the desks, and do so for the first minute of the lesson. I leave the desks like that at the end, and they often end up staying there. I try to have the table nearest to the door left free. It is for latecomers – they sit there and I get to them when I am ready, rather than disrupting everyone else.
Happy teaching everyone, and I hope this makes your life much easier!
Want more?
Check out our Basic lesson structure for all challenging task lessons
or our Lesson structure junior primary including rotation groups.
Here are my top ten rotation tasks.
And here is an article with templates for card games.