ORGANIZING YOUR CLASSROOM By Nan Lee Bridges

Student Desks Where do they go? Arrangement depends on both students and size of classroom Possible arrangements: Rows Groups or “Pods” U Shape Runway Seating Chart Should always have one Best to start alphabetically and adjust throughout the year Adjustments made for disciplinary reasons or learning needs

Teacher’s Desk Where to put it? Depends on arrangement of classroom Must be able to see all students Should be in an “out of the way” location Should not be next to student desks How to keep it clutter free? Take time to clear it everyday Keep a filing cabinet for paperwork Keep objects on desk to a minimum Only those used most often Assign drawers Top for office supplies Bottom for personal belongings

The Front of the Classroom Blackboard/Whiteboard/SmartBoard Location of board will determine which side is the front Television or Projection Screen Possibly the Teacher’s Desk Teacher’s often put their desks in the front of the classroom rather than the back

Labeling Why it’s important? Helps keep the classroom organized Helps students as well as the teacher find what they need What should be labeled? Centers/Stations Organizational boxes, baskets, etc… Cabinets/Drawers Cubbies and who they belong to Individual coat hooks and who they belong to

The Calendar Where does it go? A large printout should be where all students see it often Possible locations: Next to the door On the blackboard/chalkboard Close to the teacher’s desk Next to where students submit work What should be on it? Important school events Assignment due dates Activities or events for students to look forward to: fun class projects, class birthdays, days out of school, etc…

Class Rules Where do they go? Large print out in a well travelled area or smaller printouts throughout the room Also a good idea to hand individual copies to each student What should they be? Dependent on each teacher and the individual needs of her students Some general and most common classroom rules: Follow directions Respect others Raise your hand to ask a question Use inside voices

What Else Goes On Your Walls? A clock Students need to be able to keep track of time Many students need to know how much class time is left in order to focus their attention Should be placed in an area which is not easy to see Students should have to turn their head or adjust in their seat to see the clock This allows for the teacher to recognize which students are occasionally glancing at it and which students are focusing all of their attention on it Student work Should be displayed in abundance within the classroom and outside of it if possible Allows the students a visual representation and reminder of their achievements Each student should have at least one assignment displayed

What About the Computer(s)? Teacher’s computer goes on his/her desk Student computers should be organized according to use If primary use is for groups, should be placed together If primary use is individual work, should be spread throughout room to avoid behavioral problems Student computer schedule Should tell each student when their computer time is and how long it lasts Every student should have an equal amount of computer time Time may be revoked for disciplinary reasons

Other Gadgets iPads/Tablets Should have a schedule of use May be a good idea to give students extra “iPad time” as a reward Should have appropriate apps only Should be stored in a locked cabinet when not in use Students should be well aware of iPad rules Other technology Microscopes, cameras, calculators, etc… Should have their own rules for use. Should be stored in a safe and out of the way location There should be consequences for students who misuse these objects

Tips Great organizing tools Tackleboxes Silverware Trays Cookie Jars Empty Kleenex boxes If your room is dark add a mirror next to your window Slide paper towel tubes over wiring to help organize it Have library cards for classroom books Use mittens as scissor guards Use Post-It Notes to clean your keyboard/s

References organizing-tricks organizing-tricks classroom/ classroom/