Saturday, January 18, 2014

Ideas for Arranging Your Classroom

Today I was reading the Ninth Edition of "Classroom Management for Middle and High School Teachers." Here they outlined 5 ideas for room arrangement. I wanted to write these down to help me with arranging my future classroom. Most of my ideas will be coming from this book and recommend readings from the book.

Keys to Good Room Arrangement

  • Use a room arrangement consistent with your instructional goals and activities
  • Keep high-traffic areas free of congestion
  • Be sure students are easily seen by the teacher
  • Keep frequently used teaching materials and student supplies readily accessible
  • Be certain students can easily see instructional presentations and displays. 
  • Be sure to leave room around student desks so that it is easily approachable while monitoring activities
How I want my walls and bulletin boards:
  • A place for agenda (today items, homework due, and homework assigned)
  • A place for classroom rules
  • Content related display (I.e. Accounting - have a picture of the account process)
  • Calendar wall - important dates coming up (school activities, student activities, etc
I've also heard of some classes having a "pet." Granted this is mainly in the elementary classrooms. This question is for all you high school teachers out there: What are your thoughts on having a fish as part of your classroom? Is it too distracting to students? 
I was thinking of using the fish as a classroom job to teach students responsibility. 

This site provides an easy to use tool for drawing a classroom layout. Another site that does the same thing is here.

I really want to read this book. It is an analysis of how students' behaviors are influenced by the environment created at school. I will want to make sure I create an environment that influences good behavior not bad.

Checklist Room Preparation (this list was taking from the book mentioned above)
  • Bulletin boards and walls
  • Floor space
    • Student desks/tables
    • Teacher's desk and equipment
    • Computer workstations
    • Bookcases
    • Work areas
    • Centers
    • Pets and plants
  • Storage space and supplies
    • Textbooks
    • Frequently used instructional materials
    • Teacher's supplies
    • Other materials
    • Equipment
    • Seasonal items
    • Special project materials

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