Room Arrangement/Organization

1. Room Arrangement/Organization By: Tope’ Harris

2. The set up of a classroom is very important to how a classroom is being managed. The teacher needs to make sure his/her classroom is arranged for the students to be productive. The teacher also needs to make sure their classroom has a positive environment for the students as they enter the classroom.

3. The classroom needs to be ready for learning everyday. This is because in order to manage a classroom with proper discipline, a product and active classroom set-up is important. The students need to be placed in an arrangement that will keep them focused on the lesson and not deter them from learning.

4. Reading Corner In the corner of the classroom is a “cozy” reading nook which will contain the classroom library. This area will provide a “home” feeling and help the students to feel relax when they are in this area. The reading nook will also be a place for students to go to when they have completed their work and want to read a book in a cozy are. If a child is able to feel at home in the reading nook this can cut down on behavior problems for the teacher. In the reading nook, this area is a quite place. The reading nook is not located in the same area as everything else in the classroom. By having the reading nook in the corner of the classroom, it will help to promote reading in the classroom.

5. Centers Centers should be located on the outside on of the seating arrangement. While students are at their centers they will need to be able to concentrate on their work. Also, on the outside of the seating arrangement would be a great place for storage areas for materials. This storage area allows the students to have a centrally located area to receive and place materials. Plus, this area will help the teacher to keep his/her classroom organized.

6. Print Rich Environment Not only is the arrangement of the desk important to the classroom but the motivation the classroom has to offer the students. To have a print-rich-environment, the teacher needs to have posters and signs that help to promote literature in the classroom. By having posters and signs on the classroom walls and bulletin boards will help the students gain a great deal of experiences with the different types of literature. Plus the students can do a read around the room, while sitting in the reading nook. By providing a print-rich environment, the students will be placed in a positive learning atmosphere that promotes learning thus preventing classroom misconduct.

7. Desk rows is a traditional classroom seating arrangement of several rows of desks facing the teacher. The students desks are not touching each other but are lines up in rows and columns. The teacher is usually only able to walk from the front to the back in this set up, not from side to side without making students move.

8. Table rows are excellent for group projects because the students are grouped together and they have adequate working space. It is also good for small group discussions.

9. Clusters consist of four or five desks pushed together so every desk is facing another one. The fifth desk, if needed, would be put on the end of the group of four. The classroom would have clusters scattered around, so each cluster would be far enough apart that the students chairs wouldn't hit each other.

10. Pairs are good for peer learning because every student would have a partner to work with. All the students would be facing forward, which would be towards the board and the teacher. It would be easy for the teacher to lecture to the students because all the students could see him or her and they all have their own desk. 

11. Circles or semicircles allow the teacher to be able to see all the students in the classroom. Group discussions happen with the desks set up this way. Teacher led discussions are easily started when the desks are arranged in a circle or semicircle. All the students are able to see the blackboard and the teacher, as well as each other. 

12. Make your Own! http://classroom.4teachers.org/

13. Consider This……….. • The type of activities the classroom will accommodate. • Pathways should be designed carefully to avoid congestion and distraction. • There should be a clear view for all students to see demonstrations. • The contribution the arrangement will make to classroom management. If you are arranging the desks/tables in a manner that encourages student interactions make sure that you have made behavioral expectations clear. • No matter the arrangement, move around the room to maximize the amount of student-teacher interactions. • Your desk should be where you spend most of your time when you are not moving around the room. • The location of chalkboards, windows, built in shelves or lab tables, and outlets. • If you share a room, try to work out a compromise in regards to the seating arrangement. • If you have limited space, there will be an increase in the amount of socializing due to the close proximity. Make sure that your behavioral expectations are well laid out. • If you have ample space, make sure that you present the expectations for where students should and should not be at a given time to reduce the number of wandering students.

14. In conclusion, the arrangement of the classroom is a very key part of how well the students will learn and interact with their classmates and their teacher. If a classroom is disorganized and clustered, then it will be kind of hard for a child to work and learn new skills. Plus, the teacher needs to take time to make sure his/her room is set up for learning because no matter how well your lesson plans are completed and ready to be presented. If the students do not feel comfortable in the room then the lesson plan will be presented in a way the teacher wanted it to.

15. Resources • http://classroom.4teachers.org/ • http://classroom-organization.suite101.com/article.cfm/diverse_classroom_arrangements • http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr330.shtml • http://www.huntington.edu/education/lessonplanning/seating.html • http://classroom-management-tips.suite101.com/article.cfm/arranging_classroom_seating • http://www.teachervision.fen.com/classroom-management/teaching-methods-and-management/6507.html?wtlAC=GS090401,email-h • http://ematusov.soe.udel.edu/final.paper.pub/_pwfsfp/00000181.htm • http://k6educators.about.com/od/classroomorganization/p/deskplacement.htm