Classroom set up is essential to student success, and our classroom layout is focused on students and making sure we have the space and materials we need for a fun and successful year. (NOTE: Please visit the posts linked at the end of this post for details on everything you see in our classroom!)
Classroom Set-Up Ideas: Flexible Seating
We have used flexible seating since before flexible seating was a thing. We got rid of our tables and desks more than ten years ago. Not only does this give students choice and voice, but less furniture means much more space for learning, and it makes our classroom more adaptable to any activities, games, or learning we want to do. And no, the room is not as big as it looks. It’s not huge. The room is smaller than my previous classroom.
Classroom Set up: Whole Group Area
Our whole group area is where we do morning meeting, we sing, we do art projects, we do TKS BOOTCAMP, and all of our whole group instruction! This space is very versatile and offers students more choice. The Boss Of The Day sits on the trampoline. And students can sit on the stage or any spot on the carpet. Our rug is from Alive Studios and has built in augmented reality technology!
The white shelves are from Wal-Mart (Better Homes And Garden brand), the lights are LED lights and my dad built the stages for me.
Classroom Set up Ideas: Small Group Area
Our small group area moved to a new spot in the classroom. This year, it is in the front of the room. The idea was to open up the space in the back for Mad Science Thursday, Foodie Fun Friday, and more! A friend built the tables. The clip-folios and tumbler are from Berteau and Co.
Setting Up The Classroom
Here are other areas and spaces in our classroom.
Our classroom library is located when yo first walk in the door. Everything is numbered so the kids can easily return books to the correct box!
This our morning bin area where we store our STEM BINS. We also keep our morning journals here. Gerdy The Giraffe hangs out here along with Norman The Gnome. Norman likes to move around the classroom and freak the kids out randomly!
This is our sensory learning area. Our light box and sensory bins are located here. The table was broken during the summer so this area might need some work sooner rather than later.
Our community supplies are located here. Everything the kids need is here. We share all of our supplies since we don’t have tables and desks! When we need something, we can just grab it and go!
This is our calm-down spot. We use a bean bag, a sequined blanket, and a calm down kit from Kitful And Co. The kit contains fidget toys and a timer. The kids love to sit here and rub the sequin blankets (and so do I when I need to relax!)
Our math and reading tubs are in opposite corners of the classroom. This means the kids shouldn’t get confused about where to go during literacy and math time. Shouldn’t get confused being the operative word..
Along this wall are student lockers and mailboxes. The mailboxes are just black book boxes. I attach the student’s name and pictures to each one so students can easily find their space. The lockers are ok. I like that they keep the mess contained so it’s not spilling all over the floor, but they are small and can be noisy!
Here is a video tour of our classroom:
Visit our Amazon page to see all of the items used in our classroom:
For more information on our classroom, check out these posts:
