Classroom Layout

When you become a teacher, the most exciting thing you think about is how you are going to decorate and layout your classroom.  Yes, we're excited to meet our student's but there's just something about getting a space that's "yours" to put a stamp on.  It's taken me a few years and a few classrooms to get it   just right.  Now, what works for me may not work for your space or your plans but there are some things that have been proven to be tried and true when it comes to creating a safe and rich learning environment.  I always try to keep those things in mind while planning my classroom layout.  This year I decided to go with an outer space theme because my students last year were so interested and engaged in our Science space unit!

Group seating facilitates small group teaching and collaborative learning.

This seating arrangement also allows students access to resources readily available in their groups.

One of the most common mistakes teacher's make is covering their classroom walls with decorations, charts, posters, etc...before student's arrive.  Although those types of things are "cute" students have no connection to them.  Studies have shown that charts and posters created WITH and BY students anchor their learning and give them ownership of the concepts.  There are some really great resources out there for anchor charts!  Google or Pinterest are awesome starts for examples, ideas and more info!

Bulletin boards and walls are left bare until students help create meaningful posters and charts to anchor their learning as the concepts are taught.  

My favorite part of any classroom is the library.  The classroom library is so much more than a collection of books for students to read.  While research shows that having a wide variety of books for students to read contributes to reading success,  students specifically need access to meaningful and personally interesting books.  Reading success is directly related to the frequency, amount and diversity of reading.  Creating and maintaining a rich, inviting and comfortable classroom library promotes greater amounts of reading, thus helping students gain greater levels of reading achievement.

The classroom library should be organized yet inviting.  Books should be sorted by genres instead of reading levels, in 2nd grade.

Classroom management also directly ties into your classroom layout.  You know your student's the best.  What works for my students, may not be ideal for your students.  Just like what works for one years class may not work with next years class.  The key is to reflect often and to remain flexible!

I'll update as the year gets underway to let you know how this layout is working out for us.