Physical Environment
The physical environment is a huge aspect of setting up your classroom, not just in your first year but every year. There are many things to consider but it is important to make the classroom colourful, fun and inviting so that your students will want to be there.
Many schools today are seeking to create Modern Learning environments to ensure that the real needs of students are being met not just in their learning but in the surroundings also. No longer do we have rows and rows of desks with seats assigned for the whole year but instead teachers aim to provide a diverse environment that is constantly changing throughout the year.
When I walked into my classroom to set up it seemed like an impossible task. I didn't even know where to begin but it does get easier. At the start of the year it took me nearly three days of moving furniture, creating resources, putting up wall displays and organising resources but now it only takes me a couple of hours.
Pintrest is a great site to visit for classroom inspiration, just make sure you don't feel pressured into bankrupting yourself to create the perfect environment where everything matches and looks immaculate.
Layout
For the first few weeks until you get to know your students well, many teachers prefer to have a room organised so they can see all the students from the main teaching station. It is your choice if you wish to continue this for the duration of the year and many teachers I spoke to do just that.
Ensure you have variety. Not all students are comfortable sitting at desks in rows so have a variety of locations and learning stations available for them. Some teachers suggest the following:
Seating Plans
I would encourage teachers to give students the choice of where to sit begin with, especially in a MLE but if needed you can assign specific seats to children who show that they need the structure or cannot make good choices about where to sit.
If you do opt to have a seating plan here are a couple of ideas.
Visual Displays
As mentioned on the other pages visual reminders are a great way to ensure children know what is happening and what is expected of them. There are certain things that need to be up but I also like to give children a say when it comes to what is on the walls in our classroom. When new things need to go up we will take a vote and decide together where it will go, we also do this when deciding what will come down next.
You can use visual aids for things such as:
Finally
I like to change the layout of my classroom at least once a term but remember if something isn't working you can change it. This can be a good opportunity to include your class and ask them what they think you could do to solve the problem. Also just because something sounds like a great idea in theory doesn't mean it will work with your class. Equally if something didn't work with one class doesn't mean it won't work with the next. Children are individuals and need to be treated as such, don't be afraid to change your plan!
The physical environment is a huge aspect of setting up your classroom, not just in your first year but every year. There are many things to consider but it is important to make the classroom colourful, fun and inviting so that your students will want to be there.
Many schools today are seeking to create Modern Learning environments to ensure that the real needs of students are being met not just in their learning but in the surroundings also. No longer do we have rows and rows of desks with seats assigned for the whole year but instead teachers aim to provide a diverse environment that is constantly changing throughout the year.
When I walked into my classroom to set up it seemed like an impossible task. I didn't even know where to begin but it does get easier. At the start of the year it took me nearly three days of moving furniture, creating resources, putting up wall displays and organising resources but now it only takes me a couple of hours.
Pintrest is a great site to visit for classroom inspiration, just make sure you don't feel pressured into bankrupting yourself to create the perfect environment where everything matches and looks immaculate.
Layout
For the first few weeks until you get to know your students well, many teachers prefer to have a room organised so they can see all the students from the main teaching station. It is your choice if you wish to continue this for the duration of the year and many teachers I spoke to do just that.
Ensure you have variety. Not all students are comfortable sitting at desks in rows so have a variety of locations and learning stations available for them. Some teachers suggest the following:
- Sit children where they learn best. This could be at desks, lying on the floor or even standing at leaners.
- Have different spaces available. This could mean couches, mats, reading corners with cushions or beanbags. A change of environment can mean a change in attitude.
- Learning areas. Dedicate different areas of the room to different needs, this can include a quiet area, an independent learning area or areas suitable for groups to work in.
Seating Plans
I would encourage teachers to give students the choice of where to sit begin with, especially in a MLE but if needed you can assign specific seats to children who show that they need the structure or cannot make good choices about where to sit.
If you do opt to have a seating plan here are a couple of ideas.
- Place children with behavioural issues with their backs to the teacher but where you can still see them. This way you can see what they are doing but the feel trusted and not like they are constantly being watched.
- Place children at different levels at the same table but ensuring that they aren't total opposites; for example have two high achievers and two mid range so they are still challenged.
Visual Displays
As mentioned on the other pages visual reminders are a great way to ensure children know what is happening and what is expected of them. There are certain things that need to be up but I also like to give children a say when it comes to what is on the walls in our classroom. When new things need to go up we will take a vote and decide together where it will go, we also do this when deciding what will come down next.
You can use visual aids for things such as:
- School work. Artwork, writing, reading activities and inquiry learning can all be displayed on the walls in the classroom. This is a great way for children to view their own and each others learning, it can give them a sense of pride to see their work displayed. This also helps them to feel a sense of ownership over the classroom.
- Timetables.
- Labels for where things go such as bags, books, scissors and gluesticks. Use pictures for these as they are universal and easy to understand even for ESOL children.
- Learning. Create displays for different subjects, these can include word walls, examples of work, topic displays showing what has been learned so far and other commonly used information.
- WALTS & Success Criteria. If this information is displayed visually children can refer back to it if they need to, it means there will be no surprises as they know what is expected of them.
- Class rules or Treaty's. It is important to have these on display as a visual reminder of the terms the students agreed to. Having it on hand will allow you to refer to it in behavioural management also.
Finally
I like to change the layout of my classroom at least once a term but remember if something isn't working you can change it. This can be a good opportunity to include your class and ask them what they think you could do to solve the problem. Also just because something sounds like a great idea in theory doesn't mean it will work with your class. Equally if something didn't work with one class doesn't mean it won't work with the next. Children are individuals and need to be treated as such, don't be afraid to change your plan!
Classroom layouts from:
https://www.msu.edu
http://www.dishesandsocks.com
http://homedesigni.com
http://jessiesresources.blogspot.co.nz
Classroom display images courtesy of Emily Stein
https://www.msu.edu
http://www.dishesandsocks.com
http://homedesigni.com
http://jessiesresources.blogspot.co.nz
Classroom display images courtesy of Emily Stein