A few months ago I had to decide on a topic for my “guest” appearance on #TeacherFriends Twitter Chat. I knew my spotlight appearance would be during the end of May when school is incredibly “labor intensive”. I also knew that my chat topic would have something to do with thinking ahead–planning.
Fast-forward to this last week. During my chat, some great #teacherfriends and I were discussing the book, Teaching with Intention by Debbie Miller, and how we would love to have a book study with that book. Little did we know, Kindergarten Smorgasboard and Company were a few days ahead of us, and presented us with this opportunity. I am happy to be participating in this discussion, and am so excited to see viewpoints of our group each week! It is by no accident the topic of the first chapter happens to be what I consider extremely important each year: REFLECTION. Debbie Miller affirms what I have been doing for 20 years, while still encouraging me to think about how I can make it better!
Just like clockwork, every year after school ends my mind begins to think about next year, the next class and how I can make it the best year for my students yet! I consider the layout of my room.
The answer for me is yes (for the most part), but there are areas to improve—ALWAYS! I will likely experiment with table positions and small group instruction areas all summer before arriving at a decision to begin my year with. But, it will change again. I’ll probably try another arrangement about mid-year because it gives my students something new and exciting to come back to after winter break. Repositioning furniture and relocating stations can help with classroom management!
What does it look and feel like when someone enters my room? Students are working in pairs all around the room, and I am conferencing with one or a whole group of students at my small group table. Chaos is averted by keeping the groups in pairs.
I like to go to students, but sometimes it is easier for them to bring their work to me at the table in order to have needed supplies and work space. In my room, someone will always be found gathered in a small area with their reading tubs taking turns reading from their leveled readers. If you were to enter my room each morning, you would find all of my students involved in morning work activities and reading club. Reading club allows students to gather in larger groups and use the author/reader’s chair to share their books. If we do not give our students numerous opportunities to practice the craft of reading, they will not become readers.
What I have already outlined earlier in this post is what I have in place. My tables are a constant element that will likely not be removed from my room anytime soon. I use them as station rotation areas during ELA and Math station time, and for work areas during math and reading response times when we use our textbook resources. I have Whole Brain Teaching strategies in place for transition and work times–keeping those! Materials are
kept nearby for small guided groups, and the book tub storage cubbies are easily accessible from that area. Quiet centers like stamping and writing are away from word work and interactive centers that can be a little louder. I have signs around the room for work and writing times, and refer to them often with just hand signals. I use 1, 2, or 3 fingers to signal whether students are working on pictures, working on words or starting a new piece. A swift motion of my hand with a pencil writing in the air is the signal for “Writers/workers are never done.” That way, whether I am conferencing during writer’s workshop, or having guided reading, students know they should keep working. There is always something to do next!
I am going to integrate technology and digital portfolios this coming year, so I will need to consider where this activity fits in my classroom. I plan to have a backdrop for kid-made movies for story retelling. That’s my big project for summer. However, when thinking of my ideal classroom, I want to be more diligent in having authentic student work on display. I plan to use a movable chart stand for showcasing work that may change daily. Our wall space is dedicated to our word wall, alphabet wall and calendar wall. I have 2 walls available, with one being “interrupted” by large windows. Classroom arrangement is so vital to a good classroom climate. You will immediately see/hear the results of a poor choice in arrangement, trust me!
Here are the files I posted last week that may help you as you consider planning and room layout. I can’t wait for Chapter 2!
Here is the classroom layout ppt file. You can move things around and play with furniture or work area layout.
Here is the file that has a template to print and use as you jot down what worked/didn’t work last year.
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