My Ideal Classroom
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In my ideal classroom, I would like to arrange it so that the students and I can move freely about. I think that a cluttered classroom makes for disorganized students and teacher. I would like to have plenty of storage areas where items are clearly labeled so that the students and I know where everything is. Having to look for items because they have been piled under by something else is a waste of teaching and learning time. Since I will be teaching younger students, I would like to have specific areas dedicated for arts and crafts, science activities, play items, and manipulatives. In my design, I have arranged the desks in pairs of two and lined up in rows. They are in front of the wipe-off board and SMART Board so that students can see clearly the items I’m writing on the board or when we are doing activities on the SMART Board. Next to the SMART Board, I have put the classroom computer so that I can pull up items easily on the SMART Board without having to run back to my computer at my desk, which is inconvenient. The small group table is located across from students’ desks so that I can still see them while working in small groups. It is also located in a way that I can have a visual of all students wherever they may be. Then comes the library area, I would like to have one short bookcase separating the small group table from the library area and so that I can see students who are reading. Along the wall, tall bookcases would be efficient with books low so students can reach them and other items on upper shelves. The carpet will be used for morning time routines also like the calendar, weather, who’s here today, etc… with the bulletin board on the back wall. Next is the center area. Hopefully in my classroom there will be enough room to have plenty of room for all these different centers. Finally, it is my desk and storage area. I want to keep my desk accessible from only one side so that students don’t try and go in between my desk to get through to another area. I also have storage cabinets or shelves behind my desk for my teaching items. Along the wall with the door, I have more storage that hopefully will include a sink area and more room for supplies that students can access easily.
Having a classroom that is well organized will provide an environment that is productive and conducive to learning. Students need to have a routine and know where items are located. The classroom day will run more smoothly and students will know what is expected of them this way.
Having a classroom that is well organized will provide an environment that is productive and conducive to learning. Students need to have a routine and know where items are located. The classroom day will run more smoothly and students will know what is expected of them this way.
Mrs. Massman's Preschool Classroom
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Why did you choose not to have a specific reading area for the students?
I did have a bookcase with books, but I decided to just put a few books in baskets and put them in the window sill, because before they would just throw all the books on the floor. I do not have very much room and I felt if they wanted to they could pick out the books they wanted to look at and sit on the rug to look at them.
Why are the tables arranged in the way they are?
I put the tables close to the wipe-off board so that they can be sure to see when I’m teaching. I also put them very close together because if I spread them apart a little the kids’ like to put one hand on one table and another hand on the other and swing back and forth. With the lack of room we have, I can’t spread them out far enough so they can’t do that.
How come you arranged the centers in this design?
The centers seem to flow better with the kitchen/cash register area together and on the other side I like to have the Lego table and cubbies where students can pick out different items to play with. I have the students’ computer by my desk because they have to be all connected together.
Where are the supplies that student’s use?
I keep the glue and scissors in cubbies and when they are needed I get them down. They usually only use markers when writing and I keep them in baskets and set them on their tables when we do papers.
Mrs. Massman’s classroom is very compact with having students in ages ranging from 3-5 years old. She does the best she can with the room she’s got. She rotates center items every couple of weeks so that students experience different play areas. Mrs. Massman is very attentive and provides a caring safe environment for learning.
I did have a bookcase with books, but I decided to just put a few books in baskets and put them in the window sill, because before they would just throw all the books on the floor. I do not have very much room and I felt if they wanted to they could pick out the books they wanted to look at and sit on the rug to look at them.
Why are the tables arranged in the way they are?
I put the tables close to the wipe-off board so that they can be sure to see when I’m teaching. I also put them very close together because if I spread them apart a little the kids’ like to put one hand on one table and another hand on the other and swing back and forth. With the lack of room we have, I can’t spread them out far enough so they can’t do that.
How come you arranged the centers in this design?
The centers seem to flow better with the kitchen/cash register area together and on the other side I like to have the Lego table and cubbies where students can pick out different items to play with. I have the students’ computer by my desk because they have to be all connected together.
Where are the supplies that student’s use?
I keep the glue and scissors in cubbies and when they are needed I get them down. They usually only use markers when writing and I keep them in baskets and set them on their tables when we do papers.
Mrs. Massman’s classroom is very compact with having students in ages ranging from 3-5 years old. She does the best she can with the room she’s got. She rotates center items every couple of weeks so that students experience different play areas. Mrs. Massman is very attentive and provides a caring safe environment for learning.
Mrs. Werdehausen's 3rd Grade Classroom
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Why are the students using desks from the pioneer times?
We are doing a Laura Ingalls Wilder unit in reading and we are using these old desks for this week so that students can experience what it was like for Laura when she went to school. I usually change the arrangement of the desks every month or so. We will even use tables sometimes instead of the desks.
How come you put the bookcases by the window?
I have always had the library by a window because I think natural light is best when reading. I did have them arranged differently until recently, but I needed to move them because some students were trying to hide from me that way, so put them facing each other with the rug in the middle.
When students are using their regular desks, how come there supplies are not in there?
Some students in my class like to play with things in their desk when I’m trying to teach, so I gave each student a cubbie and they put their supplies in there. When they need something they go and get it. Their textbooks are also on a shelf and when we need the book, I have one student pass them all out.
Why did you put the small group table in the center of the room with the desks all around it?
When teaching, I can sometimes sit (she laughs) and have students who need extra help come up to the table and I can explain concepts more to them this way. I also grade papers at this table and it is more convenient when students need help with me being so close to them.
Mrs. Werdehausen’s classroom is very organized and has a place for everything. She has labeled all cubbies and baskets so that students know where everything is. The library is also labeled according to reading level so students know exactly where to go to pick out books they would like to read. The classroom is uncluttered and both she and students can move about freely without bumping into anything.
We are doing a Laura Ingalls Wilder unit in reading and we are using these old desks for this week so that students can experience what it was like for Laura when she went to school. I usually change the arrangement of the desks every month or so. We will even use tables sometimes instead of the desks.
How come you put the bookcases by the window?
I have always had the library by a window because I think natural light is best when reading. I did have them arranged differently until recently, but I needed to move them because some students were trying to hide from me that way, so put them facing each other with the rug in the middle.
When students are using their regular desks, how come there supplies are not in there?
Some students in my class like to play with things in their desk when I’m trying to teach, so I gave each student a cubbie and they put their supplies in there. When they need something they go and get it. Their textbooks are also on a shelf and when we need the book, I have one student pass them all out.
Why did you put the small group table in the center of the room with the desks all around it?
When teaching, I can sometimes sit (she laughs) and have students who need extra help come up to the table and I can explain concepts more to them this way. I also grade papers at this table and it is more convenient when students need help with me being so close to them.
Mrs. Werdehausen’s classroom is very organized and has a place for everything. She has labeled all cubbies and baskets so that students know where everything is. The library is also labeled according to reading level so students know exactly where to go to pick out books they would like to read. The classroom is uncluttered and both she and students can move about freely without bumping into anything.