Setting Up Your Class

It's that time of year again.  You know that time us teachers have been thinking about all summer. Setting up our classroom.  I don't know about you, but I start planning the upcoming year before I even leave for summer.  I truly think if I wasn't teaching I'd either be an engineer or I'd want to work for Joanna Gaines from "Fixer Upper".  Both jobs speak to me and if I had tons of money, my room would truly show it.  However, if you're a teacher you know the endless supply of cash never seems to find us, so most of us try to make the most with what we have.

Let's talk about where I start.  For me, I measure out my room dimensions (including my bulletin board areas and cabinets) and all the contents in my room.  Then I map it out on graph paper and I even make little room pieces (my inner paper doll loving child comes out and I told you I would be an engineer).  This is what it looks like:

Now I like to tape my entire page and class pieces laminate everything so I can add a small piece of tape to my items and move them around as necessary.  To say I have classroom envy of some of your spaces is an understatement.  Some of you have the LARGEST rooms ever and I may drool over them occasionally.  This is how my layout looks right now.

And yes, that is a stage you see.  One of the awesome parents at my school IS an engineer and has generously offered to help me build one before school starts.  Mine is going to be a bit different than other stages people have made.  It will actually be comprised of five to six pieces (we're still trying to figure out what will work best).  Each piece will be like a box that has hinges so we can store stuff inside.  Because really, who ever has enough storage?  Then each box will be on casters that lock so I can make different configurations.  I'm taking out my kidney table and using the stage instead.  Here are a few options for the stage arrangements.

I like having the flexibility to have stage pieces around my room.  After attending the Ron Clark Academy last year I require all of my scholars to stand when speaking to the class.  Having stage platforms around the room will allow my students to be seen without standing in their chairs.  When I am doing small groups we will make semi u-shaped configurations where the platform is like a table or desk area.  Inside the stage pieces will house carpet squares for scholars to sit on so they are not on the cold floor.

I'd love to hear how you plan your classroom configurations.  I'll make another post once my room is complete, but I'll put pictures along the way on Instagram!  Oh, and if you are friends with Joanna and Chip Gaines, you can let them know I will gladly take any help they want to pass my way with my room!!!