What should I think about when creating a learner-centered classroom layout?
As a new teacher I didn’t realize how important the layout of my classroom was to my daily instructional flow. It took me a full semester to figure out the best structure to follow with my students and to start to understand that arranging my classroom had nothing to do with looking cute and everything to do with functionality.
“As a new teacher, you don’t know, what you don’t know”
As a former instructional coach these were the basic tips that I found to be helpful to the new teachers I mentored, taking into consideration 2 components: the physical and the emotional dimensions.
Things to consider when setting up your classroom (The physical dimension):
- Maximize the perimeter closest to the walls and the use of cabinet doors
- Create general areas for daily routines: entrance, exit of classroom, homework area, supplies, materials, etc…
- Consider windows and main teaching area to minimize distractions (always face the front of your classroom, at all times)
- Set up specific areas of the room for a subject/content (learning centers, learning stations, research centers)
- Furniture not blocking students or teacher’s view
- Create a clear path for easy transit
- Create areas to display students work inside and outside the classroom
- Walls are student centered (mainly student generated work, posters, etc…)
- Consider District/ Campus policies
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