Setting Up Your Classroom for a New School Year

It's a new school year, and with the start of the new year comes the opportunity to try new approaches to classroom organization. Classrooms have come a long way from the rank and file and bare-walled spaces of yesteryear. New research shows that students learn best in more engaging and interactive environments, and classroom organization has shifted to emphasize these themes in its setup. From new and innovative seating arrangements to efficient use of wall space, new trends in classroom organization are getting students and teachers more involved in the classroom than ever before. In this week's blog, we'll cover some tips on how to approach your classroom's setup for a new year and new learning.

Classroom Space Considerations

There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration when arranging your classroom. Because every space is different, you may have more room to experiment with some than with others. A balance and harmony between these factors will help you find the optimum arrangement and solution for your space.

Flexibility/Transitioning

Flexibility is essential in classroom arrangement. The ability to quickly transition between activities will help keep students focused on the task at hand.

Belonging

Students who feel like they belong in the space will feel more comfortable and more easily engaged in it. You can accomplish this by hanging up their work on the wall and making photo collages to document memorable classroom experiences.

Order

Everything in the classroom should have its place, from school supplies to textbooks to furniture. If things are used or moved for an activity, make sure they're put back where they belong before the next activity starts.

Interaction

The ability for students to interact is another important factor to consider. This has a lot to do with seating arrangement. The classic seating arrangement that we all grew up with is long gone. No longer do students face the front of the class rank and file in neat straight lines. New ideas in seating arrangements can facilitate interactivity among students and get them more involved in classroom activities.

Concentration

The ability of the students to concentrate is also affected by classroom arrangement. If you have a source of natural light, make sure to utilize it, as research shows that students perform better in environments with natural light. Sound-absorbing materials can also help students focus by blocking out sounds from neighboring classrooms or noise in the hallway during class changes.

For more info and ideas, check out these links:

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/creating-wow-worthy-learning-spaces-todd-finley
http://www.classroomdeskarrangement.com/ClassroomDeskArrangement/Welcome.html