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An elementary school teacher found a creative way to manage the chaos of back-to-school by experimenting with an unconventional seating chart

Drawing inspiration from astrology, she grouped students by their ruling elements — Earth, Fire, Water and Air — to create balance and a sense of camaraderie in her classroom

What began as a fun idea soon revealed surprising insights into her students’ personalities and needs, helping her build trust and community from day one

Back-to-school season can be just as exciting as it is chaotic.

While parents scramble to prepare for their child’s first day, teachers face their own maze of to-dos, such as learning their students’ names, creating a syllabus and deciding where to seat a room full of children they’ve just met.

For Kathryn P

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