Unfortunately, I have only had the time to post one blog a week lately. I have been busy with my Reading and Literacy summer class, among other things.
When I first started this blog, I wrote down a whole month's worth of blog topics. Yes, I have a lot of great ideas to share! It makes me sad that I am not able to follow my original schedule of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. However, I will still be sharing all my ideas with you, it's just going to take a little longer to get them all to you!
For today's blog, I will share what I would want my dream classroom to look like, if I had unlimited space and materials. Yes, I know this is unrealistic, and teachers do not have unlimited classroom resources. But, it is my DREAM classroom, and it doesn't hurt to dream... right?
This blog is to inspire the teachers out there thinking about their next year's classroom design, or to give any future teachers ideas that they may want to include in their future classroom.
Things that I would want in my classroom:
Furniture:
Student seating
-Student desks would be placed in groups of six for interactive group work.
-Students would have flexible seating, including standing, bouncy balls, chairs, stools, etc.
-A large rug would be in front of the SMART board.
Teacher desk
-In a dream world, this space would stay organized ;)
Small group table
-Five stools would be at a horseshoe-shaped table.
-All leveled books and small group materials would be found in this area.
Storage
-In a dream world, teachers would get all the storage they could possibly need for textbooks, binders, supplies, activities, student work, etc.
-Shelves, cabinets, closets, mailboxes and lockers for students, and drawers.
-Each student group of desks would have a small shelf next to it for student materials (see my classroom drawing and classroom pictures).
-Shelves would be around the room and store all the materials for each center.
Centers and Materials:
Library
-bookshelves filled with books of different genres, subjects, and reading levels, including student-created books.
-seating that includes a bench, bean bags, and a rug.
-book stand to display themed books or student-made books.
-audio books
Writing
-student journals, textured paper, shaving cream and trays, author's chair, and a writing table.
Math
- manipulatives, clocks, books, whiteboards, money, and games.
Science
- plants, safety equipment, books, models, and charts/posters.
Social Studies
-maps, documents, models, compass, pictures of historical figures, and pen pal materials.
Technology
-computers, smart board, calculator, IPads, IPods, CD players, Elmo.
Art
-easel, smocks, different media (paint, clay, stamps, beans, rice, scissors), place to display, and drying rack.
Music
-instruments (self made), sheet music, iPods and headphones, music of different genres.
Construction
-blocks, Legos, Lite Bright, Connects, sketch book for students to make plans.
Classroom Set Up Tips:
Keep noisy centers away from quiet ones.
The teacher should be able to see everything in the classroom from their desk.
Keep important student information at eye-level.
Keep pathways safe and clutter-free.
Have a corner with pictures of your family and your diploma for students to connect with you.
Inspirational Classrooms:
When I first started this blog, I wrote down a whole month's worth of blog topics. Yes, I have a lot of great ideas to share! It makes me sad that I am not able to follow my original schedule of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. However, I will still be sharing all my ideas with you, it's just going to take a little longer to get them all to you!
For today's blog, I will share what I would want my dream classroom to look like, if I had unlimited space and materials. Yes, I know this is unrealistic, and teachers do not have unlimited classroom resources. But, it is my DREAM classroom, and it doesn't hurt to dream... right?
This blog is to inspire the teachers out there thinking about their next year's classroom design, or to give any future teachers ideas that they may want to include in their future classroom.
Things that I would want in my classroom:
Furniture:
Student seating
-Student desks would be placed in groups of six for interactive group work.
-Students would have flexible seating, including standing, bouncy balls, chairs, stools, etc.
-A large rug would be in front of the SMART board.
Teacher desk
-In a dream world, this space would stay organized ;)
Small group table
-Five stools would be at a horseshoe-shaped table.
-All leveled books and small group materials would be found in this area.
Storage
-In a dream world, teachers would get all the storage they could possibly need for textbooks, binders, supplies, activities, student work, etc.
-Shelves, cabinets, closets, mailboxes and lockers for students, and drawers.
-Each student group of desks would have a small shelf next to it for student materials (see my classroom drawing and classroom pictures).
-Shelves would be around the room and store all the materials for each center.
Centers and Materials:
Library
-bookshelves filled with books of different genres, subjects, and reading levels, including student-created books.
-seating that includes a bench, bean bags, and a rug.
-book stand to display themed books or student-made books.
-audio books
Writing
-student journals, textured paper, shaving cream and trays, author's chair, and a writing table.
Math
- manipulatives, clocks, books, whiteboards, money, and games.
Science
- plants, safety equipment, books, models, and charts/posters.
Social Studies
-maps, documents, models, compass, pictures of historical figures, and pen pal materials.
Technology
-computers, smart board, calculator, IPads, IPods, CD players, Elmo.
Art
-easel, smocks, different media (paint, clay, stamps, beans, rice, scissors), place to display, and drying rack.
Music
-instruments (self made), sheet music, iPods and headphones, music of different genres.
Construction
-blocks, Legos, Lite Bright, Connects, sketch book for students to make plans.
Classroom Set Up Tips:
Keep noisy centers away from quiet ones.
The teacher should be able to see everything in the classroom from their desk.
Keep important student information at eye-level.
Keep pathways safe and clutter-free.
Have a corner with pictures of your family and your diploma for students to connect with you.
Inspirational Classrooms:
Classroom Library
Teacher Rocking Chair!
Student shelf for materials at each group
Small Group Area
Storage/Organization
Student Mailboxes
Student Lockers/Cubbies
Writing and Math Centers
If you liked any of these pictures, you can find them on my Pinterest page at Inspired Teach.
My Classroom Drawing:
My Classroom Drawing:
Entering the classroom from the top left corner, there are student mailboxes to the left and cubbies on the right. Student desks are in the center of the classroom with flexible seating (chairs with backs, floor mats, bouncy balls, stools, and a table for students to stand).
The top middle of the picture is a rug that color codes with the students' desks, and a SMART board. There is a teacher desk to the side of the carpet for a computer, and an easel with chart paper.
Along the right side of the picture, there are shelves for the centers with tables for students to work at with the center materials. The bottom right corner is the classroom library with a rug, bench, and bean bags. To the left of the library is the technology center that has laptops and IPads.
At the bottom center of the page, is the teacher desk. Next to the desk, is storage and the small group table.
The top middle of the picture is a rug that color codes with the students' desks, and a SMART board. There is a teacher desk to the side of the carpet for a computer, and an easel with chart paper.
Along the right side of the picture, there are shelves for the centers with tables for students to work at with the center materials. The bottom right corner is the classroom library with a rug, bench, and bean bags. To the left of the library is the technology center that has laptops and IPads.
At the bottom center of the page, is the teacher desk. Next to the desk, is storage and the small group table.
I hoped that you enjoyed this blog, and that you were able to find some ideas and inspiration for the upcoming school year!
Comment below with any classroom setup tips you have or your favorite part of your own classroom.
Inspirationally,
Ally
Comment below with any classroom setup tips you have or your favorite part of your own classroom.
Inspirationally,
Ally