Classroom Layout & Materials

This is how I would set up my classroom if I were relegated to a 24’ x 28’ space.

Basic Floor Plan

3 Dimensional View

Axonometric view looking toward the front of the classroom

Axonometric view looking toward the back of the classroom

Desks may be rearranged to form pairs, or pushed aside to make a whole-class circle, but this basic layout allows for seamless transition from teacher-led instruction & whole group discussions (e.g. guided readings, etc.) to small group collaborations (e.g. literature circles, literacy centers, etc.).

I want my classroom to feel warm and inviting; a cross between a living room and a comfortable old library with leather-bound books and couches, hence the fish tank and plants, bringing other forms of life into the room.

You'll notice the coat-hangers above the cubbyholes giving students personal spaces to store their belongings. Multiple white boards assist students with small group collaborations. There is plenty of covered storage space for art supplies and manipulatives. However, most of the writing workshop materials (i.e. plenty of white and colored paper, writing utensils, etc.) will be kept on the trolley next to the portable whiteboard.

Due to design limitations of the website I used, there are several things you don’t see that will also be a part of the classroom, including:

·      Inflammable transparent sun-colored fabric that could be draped from the ceiling over harsh fluorescent light tubes.

·      Desk lamps with daylight bulbs

·      Small rug (sun/world map motif) in the reading nook, under the beanbag chairs near the fish tank

·      The trade books that would grace the 20 rows of bookshelves (Tracey & Morrow, 2006)

·      Physio balls that students may use in lieu of chairs

·      Suggestions (for me)/positive comments (for classmates) box

·      Plants

Fabric to mute florescent light

Physio ball in lieu of chairs

One of five library bookshelves

I will use lamps and fabric as mood lighting to visually mark the transition from teacher-led instruction to student-centered collaboration (Tracey & Morrow, 2006).

The walls in the 3D models aren’t decorated either, but in reality they will speak of family, expectations, support, success, and aspirations. Adornments will include:

·      Students’ family photos (Villegas & Lucas, 2007)

·      My family & travel photos

·      Inspirational quotes

·      The class charter

·      Student-chosen inspiration

·      Goals for the year (academic & personal)

·      Framed student artwork

·      Random health facts

·      Maps (world, US & SC)

·      Vocabulary wall

·      Literacy center kits

·      Reading Celebrities

Quote for the wall

Lebron James

Illustrated map

Literacy center kits

Vocabulary wall

One of five library bookshelves

Additional materials will include:

·      Digital tablets with built-in cameras

·      Newspaper subscriptions (e.g. Chronicle, Post & Courier)

·      Magazine subscriptions (e.g. Nat. Geo. kids, Kids Discovery)

·      Hundreds of trade books

·      Art supplies

·      Reference books

·      Globe

Tablet

Local newspaper

Kid's magazine

Reference book

If you’ve read my teaching philosophy, you’ll notice that the layout aligns nicely with it by offering students the resources they need to:

·      Research and read about subjects they find interesting (Tompkins, 2010)

·      Formulate hypotheses, draw conclusions, collaborate with peers, and reflect on their answers (Tracey & Morrow, 2006), and

·      Create (Bloom’s Taxonomy)

References:

Tompkins, G. E. (2010). Literacy for the 21st century a balanced approach. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Tracey, D. H., & Morrow, L. M. (2006). Lenses on reading: An introduction to theories and models. (pp. 47-75). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Villegas, A. M. & Lucas, T. (2007). The culturally responsive teacher. Educational Leadership, 64(6), 28-33.