Support kids as they learn bigger concepts, like annotation, with a bulletin board that breaks down the steps. Different table heights, multiple seating options , and an open concept can spark imagination! Choose a color for your classroom and then combine elements in several different shades along with accent pieces. It creates a remarkably complex space! Start the year with 4th Grade Selfies. Check out our beach theme ideas. With all students facing one another, it is easy to facilitate discussions in this space.
Have students face one another, chat, and share resources at the conference table. The rows and columns classroom is a very traditional layout that was near universal up until the midth Century. This layout is designed to separate all students as much as possible so they cannot see or communicate with one another. It may help facilitate engaged learning as distractions are minimized. While considered outdated to many, all students still come across it at some point in their schooling.
An exam situation is the most common situation in which this layout is used. This helps ensure students work in isolation and do not cheat. It is almost universally accepted that social interaction helps stimulate learning. This type of classroom setup is specifically designed to discourage social learning. The only time I would use this layout within my own classroom is to give students exposure to this layout for upcoming standardized tests.
If students are only ever exposed to active learning spaces, they may be blindsided when they walk into a quiet exam space with a columns and rows format. So, I would use this layout simply so students are aware of what to expect when entering an exam room. This layout is very flexible for educators. Some teachers may want ask students to be silent and work along, mimicking a rows and columns format see above. However, this format also allows students to work with one peer to discuss their ideas and share resources.
Think-pair-share activities. The think-pair-share method involves getting students to work in isolation, then as a pair, then as a whole class. Pair-up activities feel very natural in this situation. The tables in this format are designed for students to sit alongside one other student. Free floor space. I often find it hard to free up room for free floor space in this layout.
The desks tend to take up most of the area of the classroom, minimizing options for moving students to the floor for non-desk related activities. Make the most of pairing up students to encourage engaged learning. Consider pairing weaker students with stronger students or pairing students into learning styles to differentiate lessons based on pairs. It is a method that is uncommon but can be useful for when you want to divide the class into two distinct and equal groups.
Have the students come up with ideas for their side of the debate then return to their desks. Zig-zag down the rows asking each student to present a thought defending their side of the debate. Have students use the free space in the middle of the class to present their content or have guests give their presentations in the middle space. Teacher support. Consider the needs of children with mobility issues and physical disabilities when designing this space. The pivot of the desks gives all students a good view of the front of the class.
Watching videos and presentations. Teachers who love to use videos in their teaching might consider this method. Similarly, if you commonly have students give front-of-class presentations, this might be a good environment for you. Computer and laptop use. If you use a lot of laptops or tablets, this class might be good. Students will be able to collaborate with one another through messaging software.
This may minimize the limitation of this layout, which is lack of ability to use group work. Group Work. I find the pivot of the desks frees up a little bit of space at the front center of the class. With younger students, I get them to sit at the front of the class for more intimate discussions.
The strong focus on the central action zone that all the desks are facing encourages one-to-many modeled instruction rather than small group discussions. Computer use. Students each face their computer and away from others to help them to remain focused on the content.
There are few opportunities for students to be distracted by other computer screens aside from those to their direct left and right. Group discussions. Students are all looking away from each other.
Ensure all computer cables are tucked under the desks to prevent hazards. This method is most commonly used because there is a very short distance from computers to the wall plugs, preventing chances for injury from cables. If you want students to communicate, consider linking them up to a class chat log on an online forum discussion.
The cognitive tools theory pictures computers as tools for supporting higher-order cognition. This layout is ideal for computer-enhanced learning for teachers who want to employ try a cognitive tools theoretical approach. But, if you want to change your pedagogy then paying attention to they layout should be a part of that change. In other words, classroom layouts should send a message and work with your pedagogical strategy. But, alone, desks are just desks: you need to actually create lessons and class rules that work with and alongside the classroom layout that you have settled on.
As Wannarka and Ruhl argue:. Your desk layout reveals what sort of learning you want to occur in the classroom, such as: social learning or individual learning? Student-centered or teacher-centered learning? Table Groups Layout. Table Rows Layout. Horseshoe Desks. Double-U Horseshoe Variation. Class Conference. Rows and Columns. Pair Up. Perpendicular Runway. Open toolbar. Social interaction is encouraged , making these classrooms ideal for helping children learn from each other.
It is hard to find a way to get all student looking directly at the teacher. Teacher-led activities or teacher modelling at the beginning of a less are therefore awkward to operate. Lessons tend to be dynamic and very engaging. Consider this format with a class that is reluctant to speak up.
Because students are looking directly at one another, lessons tend to be very noisy and therefore hard to manage. Get table groups to race to tidy up after lessons in order to win rewards as a group. Allow students to come up with a name for their table team. Personality clashes among students on the same table are amplified as students are often looking directly at one another.
Differentiation can be easily achieved. Sort your students by ability levels and differentiate the lessons by each table. One distracted student can quickly distract their peers. Beware of where you place your biggest misbehavers, ensuring they are teamed up with diligent students who will not be peer pressured into playing up. The other writing skills posters I change out based on what skills we are learning in writing. Here are these Writing Strategies Posters. A motivational quote can be a beautiful display and encourage student they are feeling down.
Here is this Classroom Quote. Grammar skills are necessary for revise and edit questions. This guide fits all the grammar TEKS into the first 6 weeks of school, so you can get introduce revise and edit questions by October. Home Blog Shop Menu. My 4th Grade Classroom Set-Up. Starting the year off right! Where do you begin? A welcoming door The door is the first thing that people see when they walk into your room.
Shelves and plenty of organization containers You definitely do not want piles of papers everywhere in your room. Organized shelves You want to set your shelves up, so they are organized and easily accessible for students.
Tables or desks organized so students can start the year in groups It is essential for students to learn how to work together at the beginning of the year, so that is why I always start off with my desks in groups. Necessary posters and anchor charts Reading comprehension skills posters There are a few posters I leave up year round because we discuss these skills in everything we read. A Quote A motivational quote can be a beautiful display and encourage student they are feeling down.
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Christmas Activities for Upper Elementary. I love this resource!
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