Case
Students not following seating chart

When I was in school I was not the best student. In class I would often ignore certain teachers' seating charts and sit with my friends. Most of the time the teachers would not notice or would just not care about it. When I start my teaching I am worried about this happening because I know how much it distracted me from learning so I know how much it would distract my students. How do I make sure my students follow their assigned seating arrangement?

Solution #1
I would make "Seat checker" a job in my classroom. Someone's job for the day is to make sure everyone is in their assigned seat. The persons job is also to remind students of why it is important for easy attendance.

I really love this idea!!

Solution #2
One way is by checking the seating chart while students are completing a warmup. For example, some teachers complete attendance by referring to the seating chart, so alert students that if they are not in the correct seat they will be marked as absent. Also let students know there will be plenty of opportunities for them to work with friends and choose their own seats as long as they maintain good behavior and academic performance.

Agreed, having the attendance be taken with the seating chart is a good way to check if everyone is where they are supposed to be.

Solution #3
Unless students are having behavioral issues, I'm a fan of letting kids choose their own seats, and use a seating chart as a sort of punishment. Most students don't behave how we expect them to due to our own past, so to create a seating chart for the sole purpose of your past as a student does not necessarily mean it will be beneficial for them. I would suggest attempting to let the students choose their own seating charts so that you can see if it helps students feel more focus by giving them their own choices.
Solution #4
Teachers need to be sure to have a seating chart that they reinforce and stick to. As a teacher you run the class and students need to understand that you will move them away from their friends to be sure that they learn. You can have a system for rewards if they show they can be next to their friends or they can earn that seat for a day.
Solution #5
Giving a student a role like "seat checker" would be a good idea. Also, reminding them that they need to be in their assigned seats and maybe make it a game for them. I would be open to switching around seats every once in a while if there's a place that would suit a student's needs better.
Solution #6
I am not a fan of seating charts for many reasons: (1) Making a seating chart already restricts students' choice as soon as they walk into your classroom and may already sour their first impression of you, (2) You may unknowingly put students who don't get along next to each other which could affect their learning within your classroom, and (3) Seating charts work better for specific students who might need special spots in the classroom to allow them to develop their best work (such as seating a hard-of-hearing student near the front of the room so they can hear better or having a student with ADHD sit away from the window to prevent distractions). Students should have a choice in where they sit and only be moved when you are absolutely certain that their choice of seating could potentially affect their grades.
Solution #7
Having name tags on the desks could help or having the seating chart or the projector would be a good idea too. This then holds them accountable for finding their seat and there would be no "I forgot" about it.

I really like the idea of name tags, for this is an easy way to notice if a child is not in their seat.

Solution #8
Do a check daily to make sure students are in their seats. Give a warning once if this issue occurs, and if it continues, notify parents or administration.
Solution #9
I would take attendance via the seating chart, if students aren't in the correct seat when the class begins they will be marked absent. I've had teachers use this method in the past and it was effective as students did not want to receive an absence.
Solution #10
I think you need to make sure you follow your own rules, if you have a seating chart you need to make sure it is being followed and if its not then the rules you set up, should be followed and not skipped. No matter what.