Classroom design has become a major topic of conversation (and controversy!) so today I’m excited to reveal my 2017-2018 classroom with our simple, kid friendly design! In our classroom, you’ll see how we use no tables or desks to implement flexible seating. You’ll see lots of open spaces to inspire conversations and collaboration. You will see lots of space to display student work because I 100% believe that this classroom belongs to the students and it should showcase them! You will also see fun lighting and you WILL NOT see a perfect classroom. No matching everything. No Pinterest worthy design. (But for those of you with those beautiful Pinterest rooms, YAY FOR YOU!!! I wish I had that talent! Keep doing you!!!) So here it is!
Room 134: The land of pineapples and mustaches! This year I wanted to add pineapples to the mix so we have a fusion theme! The all important mustaches are still there now with a splash of pineapple! I mean, pineapples have it right: Stand tall, wear a crown and be sweet on the inside!
Classroom Design Tip 1: Put the library front and center!
This is the entry way into our classroom. We actually have a hallway inside of our classroom! This hallway is the first space you see in our classroom so this year I moved the classroom library to this hallway. Why, Mr. Greg? So my students see literacy and books as soon as they enter because reading and books are essential!
Classroom Design Tip #2: Lots of open spaces!
Our classroom uses no tables or desks. Everything is done on the floor using clipboards and bath mats! This allows for lots of open space! This allows for lots of choices in where and how we work. Choice is empowering. When we empower our students, we get buy in. Buy in means engagement which leads to learning and less behavior issues. So yes, having no tables and desks (flexible seating) helps with classroom management!
This is our whole group area! Students choose where they sit around the carpet! This arrangement gives us many options for learning! We can use our smartboard, we can use our easel or I can sit in the big green chair for an interactive read aloud!
Here is our pineapple chair! Really, it’s just a pineapple blanket I found in a thrift store in Portland, Oregon!
Classroom Design Tip 3: Community Supplies help with sharing and respecting supplies!
Since we don’t have tables and desks we use community supplies. I LOVE community supplies because it promotes sharing and there is (GOOD) peer pressure to take care of OUR supplies! I explain to my class that these supplies belong to them and not me. If they don’t take care of the supplies, they will make their friends upset, not Mr. Greg!
For more information on community supplies check out my community supplies post!
Classroom Design Tip 4: An organized small group area with a full view of the classroom!
Classroom Design Tip 5: Special Areas For Special Learning
Interactive word wall! Our word wall is magnetic so the kids can take the words with them and use them for writing and centers!
For more on sight words, check out Sight Word 60!
If you’re looking for sight word cards for your word wall check out our sentence strip sight word cards!
Light Box/Light Table! Our light box has a permanent home with some fun green folding chairs from Walmart!
This is our center command center! For more information on our centers, check out how I run centers!
This area is a brand new addition to our classroom and an area I am so excited about! A special place for one on one instruction, assessment using ESGI (check out ESGI to make assessment EASY and FAST and get a 60 day free trial!) and a place kids will love to hang out and work! (Chairs and table from Walmart.com, blue rug from Walmart)!
And finally, we upgraded the lighting in our classroom. We removed the Christmas lights that hung from the ceiling for a more clean look and added LED lights! I love these lights because we can change the colors to make our room glow! And who picks the color? The BOSS OF THE DAY gets to pick the color! They choose the color for the room! And during our end of the day dance party, the lights FLASH and turn our class into a PARTY! Check out these LED lights on amazon!
Here is a video tour of our classroom! And just to prove that our videos are REAL LIFE and not edited, enjoy the announcement from our assistant principal!
I have to give a HUGE shoutout and a HUGE THANK YOU to Teacher Created Resources for the pineapple decorations!
And a HUGE SHOUTOUT to my TBFF Jenny at Jen Hart Design for the awesome pineapple clipart and pineapple letters!
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15 comments
I started using flexible seating last year during the spring (low table and sit in floor, tall table and stand, regular tables with chairs, scoop seats) and we all loved it. You mention flexible seating helps with your assroom management. How do you think this helps and how do kids do with no one at tables? Also I’m curious how you begin the year this way when the kids are sonyoung and new! Love all that you do. Thanks
I started this SEVERAL years ago! Check out my blog post about the why and how by typing “no tables no desks” in the search field!
Just wondered how long you have been without tables and desks and why? I know “alternative seating” is big now but to have no tables?
I started this SEVERAL years ago! Check out my blog post about the why and how by typing “no tables no desks” in the search field!
Greg love your classroom tour . I love the idea tht your theme has a purpose . It’s not about the pineapples , but the students . It’s Pinterest perfect for your students ! I started doing community supplies last year after reading your post on it . I must tell you that it definetly made my life easier when it came to supplies. It was auprsing to see more students being responsible with the supplies .
I was wondering about the large carpet on your floor. What kind of carpet is it? Where is it from, did you purchase it or your school?
Love your kid centered classroom. I’m so jealous of the wall space you have, my current room is small so I’m always trying to come up with creative ways to display kid work. Enjoy your year.
I love your classroom! How do you hang your led lights? Also, for your instagram bulletin board, do you print photos yourself or order online?
What size rug are you using for your ESGI area? Because that whole setup is #droolworthy
II’d love to know this as well! I’m searching for a circular carpet for my class and don’t know which size I should be searching for: 6′, 9′ or 12′. Thanks! 🙂
I would go with 9′
Hi. I was wondering about your anchor chart area above your cubbies. What did you use to stick the clothespins to the wall? I’d love to know!
I love your classroom btw! Pineapples are my favorite! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Hot glue!
How many LED lights did you purchase on Amazon? I see one roll is about 16 ft.
I think I purchased 15