A classroom should have an inviting atmosphere.
It's the first day of school. Students enter a classroom and look around for some sign of assurance. The way a classroom is set up can either make students feel at ease and at home, or it can make them feel alienated and confused. Classroom set-up can aid a teacher in classroom management, or it can come in direct conflict with a teacher's management. The way a teacher sets up her classroom can dictate the climate of the classroom for the whole year.
Seating
Some educators say that all desks should be in rows facing the teacher on the first day. Others believe this is not ever necessary in today's classroom. Whichever you decide, after the first few days, there are a number of options for student seating. Students can sit in pairs either facing or next to each other. They can sit in groups of three, four or five. You can arrange student desks in long rows or columns or even in a big U shape. Each style of seating has pros and cons. A large U shape can be ideal for large class discussions. Having students in groups of three or four can encourage students to work cooperatively with one another. As your needs in the classroom change, so should your seating arrangement.
Expecations
From the moment a student enters your classroom he should know what is expected of him. Rules and expectations should be positively worded and posted in a prominent area of the room. Rules should be posted in language that all students in the class can easily understand. A rule in a kindergarten class might be to "Play nice." That same rule in a middle school class might be "Treat others with respect." Explain what each rule means to you, and have a few students explain what they think the rule means as well. Clarify any misconceptions or misunderstandings immediately.
Movement
Students should be able to move about your classroom with ease. Areas that many students may need to congregate should be spaced out around the room. For example, the pencil sharpener and the homework turn-in basket should not be right next to each other. Everyone should be able to easily move about the room without bumping into things or injuring themselves. High traffic areas such as the trash can should be easily accessible to all students. Movement in the room should flow and allow for students to get things done with the least amount of interruption possible.
Less is More
Your classroom does not need to look completely finished and perfect for the first day of school. In fact, some things should not be finished. Leave some bulletin boards blank so you can use student work to decorate. Some teachers do not post rules the first day so that the students can come up with their own rules that they can all agree on. Have students create posters and other display items as much as possible. Students will feel that they are truly a part of the classroom when you decorate it with their work.
Tags: class might, classroom should, each other, first school, groups three, groups three four
