(Second in a series for Teachers and Back to School)
Can you believe July is ending and it will be August next week? It is time to start thinking and planning for the annual classroom set up. Whether you are returning to your old classroom or moving into a new room, there is so much to do. Where do you begin?
Tip 1: Evaluate your space. Do you need to uncover bulletin boards? Do you need to rearrange furniture? Do you need to clean? Stand back and look. This can be overwhelming, so determine an order of how you want to achieve tasks. Form a plan.
Tip 2: Set up a work zone. This should be a central location – usually a table or desks put together where you keep your supplies, cut paper, make stacks of books, etc. Everything you need is kept here.
Tip 3: Arrange the furniture. Some teachers can’t work in their classrooms until the furniture is set up. Arrange the room as you want it to be on the first day of school. Some teachers like everything out of the way while they do bulletin boards and put the furniture in order later. Find the way that works for you.
Tip 4: Bulletin Boards. For some teachers this is a time of creativity and artistic work. For others it is drudgery and something that is tedious. Decide if you want to do it first or last. Either way it reflects on you and your room. (Hint: if you are short on time, make a “Coming Soon” sign and save the space for student work.)
Tip 5: Get a Special back and forth basket, container, or bag. While you are working, you may have items that need to go back and forth from home to school and back again. This space is so you don’t forget anything. For example, pencil cups that need to go in your dishwasher at home or letters that you need to cut for a bulletin board.
Tip 6: Shopping/to do lists. While you are working, you will think of an abundance of things you need or want. Keep this list with the container that goes back and forth.
Tip 7: Labels! If you are fortunate enough to receive your class list in advance, make as many labels in as many colors as you can with the students’ names. Students love seeing their names on workbooks, cubbies, materials. (Teachers should always put boxes of labels on their wish lists for parents to donate.)
Tip 8: Design your centers if you are planning to use them. Physically, a pre-determined number of students should be able to fit comfortable. Make sure you sit in the chairs and can easily move the chairs without blocking classroom traffic.
Tip 9: Flexibility. Approach classroom set up as the trial set up. Experienced teachers understand that the space will need to be re-adjusted once you begin teaching. If you understand this from the beginning, change will be easier to implement.
Tip 10: Community. Don’t forget to talk to your neighbors. Take the time to offer your help to another teacher. Everyone needs a hand with holding up the bulletin board paper while the other one staples! Make friends with the school custodian. This person can be your best resource when you need help.
As you set up your room, imagine it filled with students ready and eager to learn.
If you missed the first in this series, 10 Tips for Back to School, click here!
Coming soon… Getting ready for back to school night!
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