5 Activity Tables To Enhance Your Learning Environment

As an educator, it's important to find ways to enhance the learning environment for students and one of the most versatile furnishings is the activity table, which comes in a variety of unique shapes, sizes, and colors.

Incorporating the right school furnishings for your classroom’s needs can do just that. In any classroom, learning scenarios and circumstances always change, so versatility in furnishings is key.

Each shape and size have its merits and benefits, depending on the learning situation. For example, a round activity table may not perform as well for small group instruction as a half-moon or kidney-shaped activity table, which allows the teacher to be physically closer to students while instructing, creating a more intimate and personalized learning experience for the student. In this blog, we show you five unique table shapes to help foster collaboration and enhance your learning environment.

Activity Tables Stimulate Social Learning

Activity tables encourage social behavior, creativity and cooperation among students. Kidney, horseshoe, and crescent-shaped tables allow students and instructors to sit close to one another, making them ideal for small-group learning in early education, kindergarten, and elementary school classrooms. From individual arts and crafts time to group study scenarios, there are nearly endless uses for activity tables.

Interchange® Kidney Activity Table

Kidney Shaped Activity Tables

Smith System offers many Kidney-shaped tables including the Standard Kidney Activity Table, designed to serve all levels of students from pre-K all the way through adult, the Interchange Kidney Activity Table, which is built to withstand enthusiastic use. All of Smith System’s kidney activity tables are height adjustable and are available in a number of different laminate and edge colors.

Horseshoe Shaped Activity Tables

Foresight® Horseshoe Activity Table

Smith System’s Standard Horseshoe Activity Table is perfect for small to mid-size group instruction. Horseshoe or u-shaped tables provide an area for the instructor to easily access students as they work.

The main difference between kidney and horseshoe-shaped tables is that horseshoe tables keep students within arm’s length of the instructor, while kidney-shaped tables provide more workspace for students.

Crescent Shaped and Half-Round Activity Tables

Elemental® Crescent Activity Table

Elemental® Crescent Table has a wide variety of applications. Ideal for individual work or group working in groups of two or more, students can easily collaborate with one another if the learning scenario calls for it. As a bonus, this table also features the option to add power modules for shared connectivity and individual or group computer work.

When combined, Elemental® Crescent Tables can be arranged in a unique snake or serpentine shape perfect for larger group work.

Meeting Tables 

Meeting Tables

While not the same as traditional activity tables, Meeting or cafe-style tables Smith System offers a number of different meeting table shapes in addition to the Square Top, including Round Top, Square Top, and Double Oval. Smith System cafe tables are available in multiple heights, including, 16", 29", 36” and 42”.

What Makes Smith System’s Activity Tables Unique?

Smith System activity tables are manufactured with superior techniques and materials.

High-Pressure Laminates vs. Melamine:

There are two main laminate products used in the school furniture industry: High-Pressure Laminates (HPLs) and Melamine. The difference between the two is that HPLs are created using significant heat and pressure to adhere the substrates better, this creates a more durable and higher quality work surface for students.

Unlike HPLs, Melamine is produced at low temperature and pressure and do not contain a kraft paper core, making them less resistant to image and wear and tear. Smith System only uses HPLs in all their products.

T-Mold Edge Banding:

The construction of the edges is another important factor that can impact the durability of activity tables and classroom furniture. Smith System’s 3/8" T-Mold Edge Banding is unique because it is inserted and subsequently stapled into place every 6-8 inches ensuring a secure and dependable edge.  (see diagram) 

A generic tabletop profile typically features a non-adhered 1/8 inch edge banding that’s unlikely to hold up in today’s demanding classroom environments. Without staples or some way of fastening the edge to the tabletop, students can easily pull the edge band out and damage the table.

Superior U.S. Sourced Substrate:

The durability and quality of the substrate used to create an activity table are of critical importance. Smith System exclusively uses U.S. sourced 45 lb. density particle board that meets strict California Air Resource Board (CARB2) Environmental specifications. Furthermore, Smith System’s entire line is UL Greenguard Gold certified.

Warranty:

Lastly, but certainly, not least, Smith System offers a generous warranty compared to some other manufacturers who offer one-year limited warranties. Smith System offers a lifetime warranty on frames and legs and a 12-year warranty on tables and desktops. If you’re interested in building a high-quality learning environment, you should look for warranties that reflect the manufacturer's confidence in their products.

Smith System’s Activity Tables are Available at Furniture Dealers Nationwide.
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