Reorganizing Your Classroom: 3 Tips for Teachers at the Beginning of the School Year

Website design By BotEap.comUnless you are the most meticulous of teachers and have contacted previous teachers, former owners, parents, friends, and former librarians, chances are you won’t really know your students on the first day of class. Sure, there are some stalkers who already have the perfect seat map, but most of us need at least a few days to gauge personalities, observe academic skills, and suffer through bad matches. Also, you may notice that that box or cabinet you thought was in a prime location is really more of a nuisance than a help.

Website design By BotEap.comAfter a period of time, even the best teacher will often need to make some adjustments within their classroom. Here are three tips for teachers in the first few weeks of school to make your classroom a better learning environment.

Website design By BotEap.com1) Mix up your seating plan

Website design By BotEap.comDecide if you want children in rows and columns, at “tables” of 4 or 5 desks, or in some other formation. Should this child be sitting next to (or even within a stone’s throw of) that child? Can these two children help each other if they are next to each other? Will these kids get high from smelling Elmer’s glue sticks if they sit next to each other?

Website design By BotEap.comUsually some combination of behavior and studies will determine the seating arrangement, especially if you have the kids paired up in some way. It’s okay to change your seating plan several times, but don’t do it every day. Give a new combination at least a couple of days to make sure it doesn’t work before changing it back.

Website design By BotEap.com2) Moving furniture can free up space

Website design By BotEap.comIf your teacher’s desk or a nondescript table is taking up space that would be better served otherwise, move it! Maybe it could be behind a top shelf or screen where a student desk couldn’t go.

Website design By BotEap.comWhile it’s usually best to arrange large furniture BEFORE school starts, there’s no law that says it can’t be moved in the middle of the year. Remember, the easier it is for you to move around the room, the easier it will be to help students and keep them focused.

Website design By BotEap.com3) Keep those paths clear!

Website design By BotEap.comThis follows directly from point number 2. Do not paint yourself in a corner, even in the center of the room, placing desks or furniture without gaps or openings. You want to be able to walk across the room (from one potential trouble spot to another) quickly and without hindrance. If you’re using a “horseshoe” pattern, be sure to leave some space for easy entry and exit of the shoe. Otherwise, that horseshoe will NOT bring you luck!

Website design By BotEap.comRemember that you may find yourself rearranging your classroom more than once this year. It’s okay to take stock every few months and think about how your setup is working for you.

Website design By BotEap.comHowever, no matter how often you move things around, these three tips will always keep you on track.