Furniture
By: Dana Layne
Purchasing classroom furniture is a huge investment. For many school budgets, it can be the highest dollar cost after building construction. There are many things you need to consider and evaluate before you make your purchase.
There are many styles and types of classroom furniture on the market today. Ask yourself these questions before you make your investment:
• How long has the product been on the market?
• What type of warranty does the manufacturer offer?
• What do educators who have purchased the product say about its comfort and durability?
New Products
New products can be innovative, fun and attractive. They can also be expensive! Evaluate the aesthetic appeal over the expense. Due to growing demand to cut costs, some of the newer products are made offshore, and the quality may not match their traditional American-made counterparts. Check things such as gauges of steel frames and types of plastics used. Also consider the fact that the product is new and does not have a proven track record. In today’s classrooms, the furniture needs to be as heavy-duty as possible.
Warranty
When purchasing a new product, ask about the manufacturer’s commitment to producing the product for the long term. Will the product still exist in 10 years when you need to add on to your facility? You want your facility to be consistent as possible. This makes it easier to move and match the furniture when the need arises. Nothing can be more disappointing than learning that you can no longer get a product that is throughout your entire school.
The traditional classroom is evolving into a movable, interactive and group study situation. Stack chairs, student desks and combination study units can all be adapted into this flexible environment. Some traditional classroom furniture has been in the market for many years.
Product warranties can vary widely. Ask to see a copy of the manufacturer’s warranty. Read it carefully and decide if you think it fits the size of your investment. Ask how warranty claims are handled and if they occur in a timely manner. One worry that you and your maintenance staff don’t need are furniture issues. They can be time-consuming and frustrating. You want to work with a dealer/manufacturer that solves issues in a timely manner.
References
Ask for references of schools or districts that have purchased the products you are considering. These are some sample questions for you to ask:
• How long have you had the product in use?
• Have there been any warranty or defect issues?
• Is the product durable (students can be brutal!)?
• Is the product comfortable?
• Would you purchase the product again?
There should be no hesitation from the manufacturer to provide you with references for the specific product you are purchasing. One of the best sources of information available will be schools that have the product in use.
Take the product for a test drive. Ask your dealer for several samples and distribute them throughout the classrooms. Get student and teacher feedback. They are, after all, the ones who will be using the product on a daily basis.
What to Purchase?
There are many types of classroom furniture. What you will need to determine is what type will fit your needs.
First, define the age groups of the students to determine the size of the products you need. The size of desks and chairs will vary according to the age group. You can use the following information to help guide you in the size chairs you purchase:
Pre School/Kindergarten….75/25….11.5” and 13.5” chairs
Grade 1…………….……...50/50….11.5” and 13.5” chairs
Grade 2……………………75/25….13.5” and 15.5” chairs
Grade 3……………………25/75….13.5” and 15.5” chairs
Grade 4……………………50/50….15.5” and 17.5” chairs
Grade 5 and up…………….100……17.5” chairs
If you are able to observe the students in the classrooms, you may want to take that into consideration. Depending on the size of the students, you may adjust the above accordingly.
Next, determine what type of product is needed for the classrooms. Will the students be changing classes? Or are the students in the same classroom all day and need a place to store their supplies?
There are several types of furniture for you to consider, including combination student units, chairs desks, student desks with separate chairs, tables and chairs. Understanding these types will help guide you in the right direction.
Separate student desks and chairs work well for elementary school students who do not change classes. The open-front desk with at book box or the lift-lid desk will allow them to store their pens, paper, crayons, etc. in one central location. The lift-lid desk provides ease of use by allowing the student to lift the lid and be able to see the contents of the desk. These desks are typically adjustable in height, so you can purchase the same desk to use throughout the school, and it will work for all grade levels.
You can also use a student desk in a middle or high school environment. Student desks come in many varieties. You can have options such as a bookrack instead of a full box as discussed above. This allows the teacher to view all items the student has stored in their desks. There is also the option to have no bookbox at all. This would allow for plenty of room between the chair and desktop. Book bags or other items could be stored underneath the chair.
Chair desks are a combination of a chair with the writing surface attached on the side. The support for the unit is on the base of the four chair legs. This unit is very space efficient. It can be up to four inches smaller in width than other units. The one option that you should consider with this desk is the amount of work/writing surface needed. The writing surface on this unit is smaller than the student desks or combination study units.
Combination study units offer a lot of space and writing surface. This is a good choice for middle and high school students who change classes throughout the day. There is a bookrack underneath to store several classes of books. You can usually get this type of unit without the bookrack so students can store their book bags underneath the desk and out of the way.
Activity tables are always a good choice. These tables work well in the pre-school and kindergarten levels all the way through high school. Every room needs a table! Group study is becoming more predominant in many classrooms, and activity tables can be a sturdy and economical choice. You can mix and match your chair and tabletop colors to create an engaging environment.
In closing, you want to make a furniture choice that is a lasting investment that promotes learning. Consider all the options available, and make the choice that is right for you and your students.
Dana Layne is the national sales manager for Scholar Craft Products, www.scholarcraft.com, which has produced quality classroom furniture for 50 years.
Sidebar
Sitting “Still” Is Making Kids Ill
Primary school children sit for approximately 10 hours a day, with only one hour of physical activity. And this is having a dramatic affect on their health, says Dr. Breithecker, a sports and physical scientist from Germany.
“An exclusively static position can lead to mental and physical impairment due to poor oxygen supply,” he says.
Children are suffering problems usually associated with the elderly, like backaches, headaches, neck pain and obesity, said Dr. Breithecker, who is from the German Federal Working Group on the Development of Posture and Exercise. Dr. Breithecker was in the United States recently addressing the importance of correct seating for children. In fact, 80% of people suffer temporary back problems.
“The human body, especially those of growing children, requires a steady flow of blood and the oxygen and nutrients that it brings. Movement is fundamental to this process,” says Dr. Breithecker.
Consequently, lack of movement through sitting not only affects the spine, but also the development of organs, muscles and brain. And it limits children’s concentration and attention span.
Dr. Breithecker says children’s instinctive need to wiggle on chairs, balance on logs or jump in puddles is a vital part of their development and should be encouraged. Activities like walking, climbing and balancing stimulate areas of the brain, which according to recent investigations, improves short-term memory and learning ability.
Time spent sitting at school, working on computers, playing video games and watching TV is unlikely to decrease. As there is no ideal long-term sitting position, urgent action is required to prevent injury and ensure normal development.
What Can We Do?
Parents and teachers must:
• Educate children about their bodies’ need for movement
• Encourage more physical and social activities
• Encourage variety in working positions (sitting, standing, lying on the floor)
• Encourage “dynamic” sitting
• Use ergonomically designed adjustable chairs and desks
Furniture Adjustment Tips
Chairs: The front edge of chair should be in line with kneecap when standing. This will make knees lower than hips when sitting.
Desks: Elbows should be about one inch below the height of desk when seated correctly in chair.
Source: VS America, Inc., www.vs-furniture.com
Product Roundup
LT15 by Spectrum Industries
The LT15 Laptop Storage and Recharging Cart is a new product from Spectrum Industries, a manufacturer of educational and business furniture. The unit features two-point locks, 15 individual pull-out trays (each with an electrical outlet and cord management), a recycled plastic handle and heavy-duty balloon wheels. The cart is also available with a presenter’s module. The cart is easy to move and manage, while offering plenty of storage space in a small area.
www.spectrumfurniture.com
The Learning Wall by Fleetwood Group
The Learning Wall by Fleetwood Furniture provides an organized and professional environment to help teachers communicate and enhance the students’ learning experience. The system features adjustable shelves and compartments and sliding magnetic white boards configured to accommodate a classroom teacher’s exact requirements. The base cabinet storage is accessible, attractive and available in a wide variety of shelf, drawer and compartment options. The Learning Wall adapts to individual teachers’ needs.
www.fleetwoodfurniture.com
Cubbie by Jonti-Craft
The Cubbie storage unit by Jonti-Craft is specially designed for classrooms with young children. The unit is caster mounted, which adds mobility as well as triangular strength. The Cubbie storage unit also features Jonti-Craft’s KYDZTuff finish, which is as tough as the coating used on gym floors. All edges, front, back and base are fully rounded to create KYDZSafe edges. Jonti-Craft offers a wide selection of creatively designed products, from small cell phones to big twin lockers. Jonti-Craft manufactures both birch and laminate children’s furniture through three different product lines—Birch, Rainbow Accents and Sproutz. All are designed to be safe and sturdy even in the most demanding early learning environments.
www.Jonti-Craft.com
Biofit Fold-N-Roll Tables
BioFit Engineered Products’ mobile easy-to-fold tables provide flexibility and durability in classrooms, learning/activity centers and other school facilities. Fold-N-Roll tables are available in round, rectangle, hexagon, octagon, square and oval shapes plus various sizes, heights and colors. One person can easily open and close the tables in a single operation taking five seconds or less. Non-marring neoprene casters ensure easy moving and straight-line tracking. The 14-gauge steel frame is solidly welded for uniform strength and stability. A one-inch safety opening and recessed vertical hinge at the center fold protect against pinched fingers when folding, unfolding or using the tables. The table top has a special edge that leaves no seams or cracks to trap food or bacteria.
www.biofit.com
Anatex’s Circle of Fun
Circle of Fun features four puzzle benches that connect to form a circle. Puzzle benches--which include games like an abacus, fun fruits to match, magnetic circle express, gear panel and sculpture mazes--also can be separated for individual play. Since 1982 Anatex has been manufacturing wooden toys and furniture for schools. The recipient of numerous awards for designs and quality, Anatex offers many new and innovative activity centers that engage children in “play while learning.”
www.anatex.com
Steffywood
Steffy Wood Products’ Classroom Heirlooms designs feature graceful, scalloped patterns on the sides and tops, creating a softer, warmer feel for the classroom while retaining robust design and construction elements. The furniture features traditional rabbet and dado construction, a tough, durable environmentally safe finish, and all-birch veneer panel construction.
www.steffywood.com
Arch Book Browser by Guidecraft
The Arch Book Browser is a multi-purpose book display, book holder and storage unit made of sturdy birch ply. It is great for storing books and props that go with the books for story time and other book-related purposes. Eight large, easy-view book bins are situated on top with two generous shelves below to provide easy browsing and great storage. A side-mounted easel is a great tool for story time. The unit is mounted on heavy-duty casters for easy mobility.
www.guidecraft.com
Overstuffed Furniture from Brand New World
Overstuffed furniture units from Brand New World are built with quality and safety in mind, using hardwood frames, comfortable dense CA117 foam and covered in durable, liquid-resistant Dura-Care fabric for “just like home” comfort. Dura-Care fabrics are enhanced through a special treatment process that coats each fiber with stain-fighting and liquid-repelling characteristics. That means durability and easy care – just wipe fabric clean with a damp cloth. Units are available in blue, red or colorful splash and in three sizes. They are also available in blue and red vinyl.
www.brandnewworld.com
Nova Solutions
Nova Solutions manufactures quality laminate and wood furniture for any area of the school, including products for students, teachers and administrators. Nova offers unique computer workstation solutions for CRT monitors and flat-panel displays with recessed placement options, as well as a variety of multimedia units and unique storage options. Nova products are ideal for any environment where computers are used, including labs, libraries, classrooms, reception areas, testing centers and more. Nova also offers a complete line of tables and accessories.
www.novadesk.com
Classroom Computer Tables by Smith Carrel
Solid, well-built, quality furniture shipped quickly is what you have come to expect from Smith Carrel. Their 1500 Series classroom computer tables are not any different. These rugged units with high-pressure laminate tops, heavy-gauge powder-coated steel cable management and frame are built to last. The affordably priced corner unit allows use of otherwise wasted square footage as it carries cables around corners and into adjacent units. Tables are available in 48-inch, 60-inch and 72-inch lengths with plenty of optional equipment to satisfy your needs.
www.smithcarrel.com
