Classroom Setup

by | Aug 4, 2023 | Uncategorized

Classroom Library Books

In my last post, I mentioned a little bit about how I set out books in my prekindergarten classroom. I liked to keep the books that were planned for each unit with the correlating binder. For example, the binder and books for the Music Study would all be together, and the binder and books for the Tree Study would be together. While we were in a unit, I had a basket of the books for that unit out for students to look through as they wanted to, and it was easy access for me to grab the planned book for a read aloud time of the day. So, if we were in our Tree Study, the books for that unit would be in the basket out for students to look at and read the pictures during their free play time; this also made them readily available to choose one for our read aloud times. When each unit of study ended, I would update the books that were out, putting the Tree Study books away and setting out the Music Study books. So, the new study’s books were accessible for students and read aloud times. Of course, the students had their favorite books from each study, so I would also leave a few out in our regular classroom library for their perusal.  

Guest Writer

Welcome Back! This week I have asked my sister-in-law, Katelynn Nevils, to share some of her experience with setting up her classroom and how she has organized it. The following blog post is written by Katelynn.

Things to consider when setting up your classroom!

It’s August! Which means teachers are in back-to-school mode! Setting up the classroom is one of the fun parts of being a teacher. Looking forward to the new school year with new students and all the learning that will take place in their classroom. The clean waxed floors and fresh paint in the hallways, it screams excitement for a new school year! With endless possibilities for your classroom, how do you determine what is important when setting up your classroom?

Last year was my first year as a Junior High teacher. My room originally had seven tables with four chairs at each table. I liked having the tables. I felt that the students sat in desks all day and that this would be a good change. Little did I know how distracting the tables would be for 7th and 8th graders! Not everyone could focus or see me or the board with my presentations. They would talk with each other, switch tabs on their chromebooks, and completely ignore the lesson if I was not standing right next to them. I am a move around the room kind of teacher, but these tables made it difficult to get around the room. It was time for a change!

For my teaching style, it was important for me to easily move around the room, quickly get to any student who may need help, and that all eyes were focused on me. The least amount of distractions the better! My principal arranged for the tables and chairs to be replaced with individual student desks with chairs attached. It took several layout changes for me to finally find the layout that works best for my teaching style. 

The U-Shape layout was the winner! I love this layout! If it is a lecture day, all students can see the board without someone else’s head in the way. If it is a sewing day, I can move around the middle of the classroom and help any of the students as they need me. For collaboration, the kids have plenty of room to move inside or outside! The chairs can move if the kids are working on a group project. It is perfect for my needs as a Family Consumer Science teacher!

Now for the teacher’s desk. This was a hot topic last year in my classroom. The students LOVED my class! Can you blame them? We cook, sew, and talk about babies. It’s a fun class! However, that led to multiple students wanting to hang out at my desk. When the principals walked by, they would always see a student behind my desk. There were multiple comments about keeping the students away from my desk. I understand! There can be private information about other students, there could be notes specifically for teachers, my school email could be seen. The teacher needs a private space without peering eyes (because we all know Jr. High kids are nosey!).

This year I have set aside a corner of my room to be my personal space. I have used my computer desk, teacher desk, and table to set off an area just for me. There is only one small space for me to get in. This will give the students a sense of “off limits” around my personal space. My computer is facing away from the students which keeps all private information safe. Yet, my desk still looks inviting for students to come to me if they are needing help with anything. Last year, I had the basic office supplies, stapler, tape dispenser, pencil cup, etc. sitting on my desk. The kids felt the need to fidget or take whatever they wanted becasue it was easily available. This drove me up a wall, because they did not ask to use the items, they just took them. This year, I have kept anything that I do not want just taken and placed it in the back of my space. This will require students to learn to ask to borrow something and not just take whatever they want.

Will these suggestions work for every teacher? No. This is what works for me and my classroom. You need to decide what factors are important for your style of teacher and your overall goal for your classroom and determine which set up best serves you. I hope you were able to think of a few ideas to help set up your classroom this year. Have a great school year!

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