1 Taylor Pierce CI 406 10/13

Classroom Arrangement

Going through professional teaching courses can be very challenging and overwhelming; as new teachers, we are learning a number of social and educational theories, practices, and materials. Its easy to get caught up in chaos and forget some of the most basic ideas behind classroom management, such as classroom arrangements. The way a classroom is organized can have lasting effects on its ability to serve as an efficient learning environment (Duncanson, p. 154). While creating my classroom arrangement assignment, there were many factors that I had to consider. For starters, I decided to design the room for a 4th grade class. Next, I needed to figure out where to put my desk. Picking a spot was harder than I anticipated, and I ultimately placed in towards the front of the room. I had originally chosen to place my desk in the back left corner but I changed my mind because I realized that that back left corner would be better suited for the class computer lab so I could monitor what students do on the computers. I also chose the front of the classroom so I could easily see students in every area of the classroom (Evertson & Emmer, p. 13). Behind my desk I have two shelves, one of which has a stereo on top of it. Id love to play music during creative time for students or just to have fun. I chose the shape of my desk because I would also like to have children work with me and groups at my desk during meetings and one-on-one interactions; the shape of a half circle allows for them to space themselves out easily without worrying about edges and corners. Id also utilize my desk to meet with students whenever possible to maximize my view of classroom.

2 As I mentioned before, the class computer lab was placed in the back left corner. I decided that I wanted most of the back of the classroom to be used as student work space, where they could go to work, create, and collaborate. The computers are lined up next to each other on purpose- because I want students to be able to work on activities together and in one location (not spread out). This will be considered an activity center, and since it will often have many students coming in and out of the area, I wanted to make it as open as possible by lining the computers against the wall. This center will be used for group projects on the computers as well as individual work. I also placed each computer along the wall in order to keep an eye on their screens from nearly anywhere in the room. Although there is only one outlet in that particular corner, we would use extension cords to hook the computers up. Next, I put the classroom printer in the back of the room, next to the computers on a desk so that students can print their work after asking permission. I hope to have a journalism unit with my 4th graders where they create monthly classroom newsletters; having the printer in the back of the room near the computers will make it easy for me to designate journalists, editors, etc. to the work stations I set up in the back. This arrangement could apply to many activities. The group table is where I would work with kids if there wasnt room at my desk or if I wanted more privacy while I worked with students. The table would also be there for students to use during free time and to work with their peers on projects. The reading rug is where our class would meet every day for morning meeting and story read alouds. I chose this corner because there is a white board on one wall and a bookshelf on the other. Students will be able to sit or lie on the rug during reading time,

3 group meetings, and free time with books easily accessible to them via the nearest bookshelf. There is an outlet under the rug, which I havent chosen to use for anything- yet. Since its under the rug, if I do decide to use it I will most likely need to move the carpet area, since it may cause a fire hazard. The cubbies are located in between my desk and the reading rug and they will store their backpacks, coats, and other belongings here. Although the shelf would be no more than several feet tall, it would still block part of the rug area from my view at my desk. For now, this is something that I will have to closely monitor and make sure that Im checking; if my students are incapable of behaving themselves in the area, I may have to change or add procedures or relocate my desk area to eliminate the misbehaviors. The reason I chose to put the cubby space here is because I felt that it would create an easier flow when the children are entering and exiting the classroom every day. Students can walk straight into the room, but their things away, turn to the left and head toward their desk. Likewise, at the end of the day they head to the right of the room towards their cubbies, then can directly leave the classroom from there. The area next to the sink will be a storage cabinet used as a space where the pencil sharpener will be located as well as extra handouts. I colored it purple as a reminder that I want that cabinet to be waist level so the kids can reach whats placed on top. I found that with the given space, along with 27 students, it was difficult to come up with a productive and easily accessible arrangement. I decided to break the students up in half and by rows, facing each other. I chose this arrangement because it closely relates to my goal for students to work together on activities and projects (Wong and Wong, p. 116). There is a clear lane between each half of students, as well as free space on opposite ends,

4 helping to prevent congestion in those areas and making it easy to quickly reach a student (Burden and Byrd, p. 236). One half of the room contains 14 students and the other, 13. I wanted to prevent a student from feeling left out because they were on the odd end of the seating arrangement. I added two extra yellow desks to represent extra desks that we would use to keep high frequency items such as tissues, hand sanitizer, and garbage cans (black circles). The students would provide the supplies for their rows at the beginning of the year and use those supplies only. Although there is still a student on the end sitting across from a yellow desk, I felt that this wasnt as obvious as having their desk actually sticking out. This way, they blend into the group and are sitting closely to their peers like everyone else.

5 Bibliography

Evertson, C.M., & Emmer, E.T. (2008) Classroom Management for Elementary Teachers p. 13, Upper Saddle River: Pearson.

Burden, P.R. & Byrd, D.M., (2003) Methods for Effective Teaching p. 236, Upper Saddle River: Pearson.

Wong, H.K., Wong, R.T., (1998) The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher pg. 116, Mountain View: Harry K. Wong Publications

Duncanson, E.F., (2003) The Impact of Classroom Organization in Grade 4 on Student Achievement in Science pg. 154, Ann Arbor: ProQuest Dissertations Publishing