Classroom layout

[Deana17]

I am a student in my last year and I'm pre-student teaching. I need to come up with my ideal classroom set up! I'm not sure how, as I haven't been in a ton of classrooms. Does anyone have suggestions?

[ogms]

I think that it is important to first assess what kind of students you have. Are they high-acheivers, EL's or a mix of both? Also, it is important to note what kind of desks you will have. I found that for my class that had tendncies of being off task and talking during a lesson, separated, individual desks worked best. Good luck!

[Flipp]

Normally I would do clusters of 3 or 4 desks. Right now, have my class is at lab counters while the other half is at desks, so I have the desks in lined groups of six, so
>< >< ><
>< >< ><
>< >< ><

Anyway, regardless, of whether you decide groups or pairs or rows, the most important thing is YOUR mobility. You should be able to get to any student in the room as quickly as possible.

I used to do rows but with a large center aisle for me, and a horizontal aisle, so the kids were in four quadrants and I could navigate the axis.

Good luck!

[Boxcar]

I agree that it will depend on your students and your teaching style. Some teachers I know really like the circle or horseshoe shape. So, that is one option to be aware of.

[oldandrew]

Individual desks is my preference. If they are going to work alone in their exams then they might as well start working alone now.

[Chef Dave]

I am a student in my last year and I'm pre-student teaching. I need to come up with my ideal classroom set up! I'm not sure how, as I haven't been in a ton of classrooms. Does anyone have suggestions?

It depends.

There's a world of difference between elementary school and high school. I've taught both.

What certification are you going for?

[irish223]

I'm guessing that this is an assignment, and that you won't actually be using the layout for your student teaching placement. Correct me if I'm wrong...

Anyway, for elementary students, with the ideal class, and with the ideal space, and with the ideal furniture available, the ideal layout is one that allows students to work cooperatively, and provides space for learning centers.

Arrange the desks in groups of 3, 4, or 5. There should be a separate book corner for center time, a writing center, and 2 extra spaces (tables) for other centers. A computer center with 2 or 3 computers would be really nice, too!

As I said, this is an ideal layout. Space limitations, behavior problems, etc. will all affect the best layout for any particular class of students. So, as others posted earlier, it all depends on your students and your teaching style.

But if you need this for a homework assignment, or to complete a portfolio, the above layout will be pretty well received.

[Deana17]

Thanks for the advice everyone. It is for an assignment that's why it is hard. I don't actually have a class that I'm designing this for. I pretty much ended up doing what irish223 said, although I didn't read the post before I did it.

[dangercat]

I am a student in my last year and I'm pre-student teaching. I need to come up with my ideal classroom set up! I'm not sure how, as I haven't been in a ton of classrooms. Does anyone have suggestions?

I just had to do this assignment. Basically I was told to think about what I dreamed most about having in my classroom and go with it. I had to degsign one for both Elementary and one for Middle School.

[pawprint]

I had to do a similar assignment so I downloaded the "SmartDraw" program that has a 7 day trial and I used it to "draw" my classroom. It was really neat to use and I suggest it to anyone who is artistically challenged and need another option to help lay out their classrooms. You can save files as "Word" docs so they will still work even after the trial has expired.

[DarrenB]

A lot depends on the space and shape of your classroom. I don't like to have students more than fifteen feet away from my main projection point, so I work to make my long class fit. I also vary the layout from quarter to quarter and year to year.

Find a layout that allows you to move freely through the room that also enables all students to see your board/screen, and also gives each student some space.

Good luck!

Darren Barkett
Helping Teachers Grow