Is it normal for kindergarteners to be seated by ability?

DS started kindergarten two weeks ago. I'm pretty sure the kids were originally seated in alphabetical order in tables of 5-6. DS told me that he recently got moved and sits with all different people.

Is it normal for kindergarteners to be grouped by ability?

If so, do they stay with this same group for the remainder of the year?

Re: Is it normal for kindergarteners to be seated by ability?

Both of my DC's Kindergarten teachers said they rearrange the kids often so they learn how to work with everyone in class. It's a socialization thing. Alphabetical is just the easiest way to start things off in the beginning of the year. I'm sure they will be rearranged quite a few more times during the year.

It's also possible that the teacher rearranged some kids to break up groups that are distracting each other.

Is it normal for kindergarteners to be seated by ability?

By ability.. No. By sanity? Yes
In K AJ could not sit with her bff or nothing would get done. Then again they moved her after one boy kept distracting her. After her second move she didn't move until two kids left and the had to even the tables

She's already moved twice in first grade. Once at my request once at the teacher's doing.

Is it normal for kindergarteners to be seated by ability?

My DD's teacher mentioned in a note home that some kid's switched tables and some just switched seats at the table. My impression was part is on similar reading levels/learning abilities but also to minimize distractions. I'm sure they will be rearranged periodically.

Is it normal for kindergarteners to be seated by ability?

Last year in kindergarten the teacher would switch the kids and tables every so often. Not sure how it was organized.

This year his teacher told me she switched some seats, putting my kid in another table and in the front because she said "he gets easily distracted by others". So it can be a number of reasons for the switch or why she reshuffled the class.

Message edited 9/18/2014 11:28:24 PM.

Re: Is it normal for kindergarteners to be seated by ability?

Most often they are seated by behavior/distractibility factors. They do change the seating arrangements so that the students can get to know each other.

Re: Is it normal for kindergarteners to be seated by ability?

When students come in, especially Kindergartners, teachers dont know much about them. Usually i have students come in and just sit anywhere OR i just assign seats. As time goes on I see that some students are too friendly with each other and talk too much, dont get along, some complain about others bothering them, some cant see and need ro be closer to the front, sometimes too many too many struggling kids are at a table. So seats are moved. Sometimes several times throughout the year.

My bet is that now his teacher has started to leadn about who shouldnt ait next to who and has moved seats. Very typical!

Message edited 9/19/2014 5:29:01 AM.

Re: Is it normal for kindergarteners to be seated by ability?

I would not think it was by ability, but to socialize the kids. In my kids school they have rearranged seating and will do so throughout the year so that every kid will sit next to every other child in the class so they can get to know one another, Learn to work together and make friends.

Re: Is it normal for kindergarteners to be seated by ability?