PLANNING
THE ROOM:
PLANNING
THE ROOM:
PHYSICAL SPACE: This is one aspect of most classrooms that is never sufficient. However, begin with the walls, windows, doors, and exits. If you have a rather particular fire marshal, be cautious as to where you place bookcases, desks, or other furniture. Leave space for movement, group time on the floor, and consider your storage area. I am a pack rat but I have found wonderful storage items as well a multiple uses for classroom furniture. Walk the room and look at the areas from different angles.
1. Bookshelves can be moved to form cozy reading centers and serve as storage. This could be a corner in the room. If you have an assistant or a special education teacher who works with children in your classroom, this also gives them space and privacy.
2. Desks - arrange the desks for the climate of your classroom. Children should be able to see boards, overhead projector screens, charts, etc. For cooperative groups, arrange desks in sets of two, three, or four. This is something you will want to do after you get to know who the students are. Grouping students requires more planning than bunching desks together. There should be space to move between desks for the students and teacher. My classes are always huge.. floor plans require creativity to avoid bruises. Another good format is a U-shaped arrangement. I have often put a larger table or individual desks in the center (those who need their own space to work). In any case, desk arrangements should never be stagnant.
3. Centers - With limited space, I have made my centers along the walls of the room. Consider outlets for plugs, traffic flow, etc. Listening centers should not be next to the table where you are working with a group of students. Many of my centers are in crates and are labeled. Easy to pull out and less clutter. Reading centers are created with a rocking chair, book crates, and off from the main flow of traffic. Computers are along one wall and I double the kids working on one computer with dual headsets. Writing center has a table with crayons, pens, interesting paper, bindings, etc. Word centers have stamps to create words, tiles, and manipulatives. Shared reading is my open floor space and has pocket charts hanging on the boards. Other centers may be more portable and taken to desks or group tables. Just make them flexible.
4. Decoration - On this note I will agree with Avery. She states that a "classroom climate must be an honest reflection of the teacher's individual style."(p31). If you walk into different rooms on any campus, this factor is evident. Years ago I did decorate until each part of the room was colorful, interesting, and very busy. Now, I have a child-centered room. My theme is always around a Pooh mural. However, the children have pocket charts to read from, boards displaying their work, and areas that appeal to their needs. Less is best.
5. Pocket Charts - the greatest invention since sliced bread. Pocket charts can be the most flexible component in your classroom. I have them on the walls, on bookcases, and on garment racks with wheels. They roll up on the walls and roll around in the room. I buy garment racks from K-Mart, Target, or garage sales. Literacy centers, math problems, writing centers, poetry.. whatever you can think of will fit using pocket charts. Spend your money here and forget the ditto packs. The kids love them.
6. Storage - a major concern. I use baskets for the independent reading books and label each basket by topic. Centers are in plastic baskets or plastic tubs with lids (no dust). Larger units (monthly units, holidays, etc) are in plastic tubs. I prefer the clear ones since you can see what is inside the tubs when they are stacked. Label each one .. I use labels made on the computer. I also use crates for storage of supplemental materials for teaching as well and hanging folders for student portfolios.