} With flexible seating, traditional seating charts are replaced with seating arrangements that allow the students to sit where they choose. Keep reading for ideas on ways you can set up your classroom layout to meet these goals. Need more classroom setup ideas? Powergistics 2022 All Rights Reserved. If every students desk is already aimed toward the front of the room, then I dont have to spend as much time and energy getting my students attention, she says. The idea is that once learners feel more comfortable and connected with those around them, they will be more confident to share their ideas, too.. Nobody has to turn their chairs around to see the front. Test out and combine the following methods for arranging desks in your small classroom and find a design thats both safe and effective. "publisher": { Current layout trends are developing into long-term effortsto create functional spaces and reduce infection risks during cold and flu season. It can also be particularly effective when the teacher is displaying content on a SmartBoard or projector in the front of the room.

"@type": "Organization", This decision is a big one, as classroom desk arrangements largely determine: Here are some classroom setup ideas that will make students of all ages feel welcomed and inspired. Teachers working with a small space often face greater design challenges. To maximize space in classrooms of any size, teachers need to be critical of how they design these rooms. As part of establishing a positive classroom climate and creating an environment where students are poised to learn, teachers are faced with the question of how to arrange their students desks. When deciding how to set up the desks in their classroom, you might have some goals in mind. At PowerGistics, you can expect safer device deployments for classrooms big and small with ourspace-saving charging stations perfect for charging and storing student devices. Classes that prioritize teacher-centered instruction may benefit from a different approach, however. This layout is ideal for cooperative learning and individual work, though it also accommodates group instruction. Group pods are a classroom setup that involves grouping three to five student desks together to encourage small group collaboration. Suppose your students have access to laptops, tablets or other technology tools. Any nonessential equipment should either be removed to create more floor space or multi-purposed to boost their efficiency in the classroom. Even after removing the bookshelves, teachers can still create a classroom library that supports social distancing and maximizes space. "@type": "WebPage", This arrangement allows teachers to address the entire class from the front. Remove unnecessary furniture and explore more intuitive ways to organize. Perhaps youre looking to encourage more student collaboration. Small classrooms will benefit from a technology storage solution that can mount to the wall or stand out of the way. For additional safety, position Plexiglas dividers or movable whiteboards between each group. When its time to collaborate, students can turn in their chairs and discuss topics without moving closer than 6 feet. Maintain 6 feet of space between desks with markings. Students can easily maintain their space, and teachers can effectively prevent germ and bacteria spread. share ideas, inspiration, and connect with teachers from around the world! To reduce the spread of germs and bacteria, each student will need individual supplies. "mainEntityOfPage": { Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. My goal in seating students in a semicircle has always been to strengthen relationships, facilitate meaningful conversations, and remind learners that every voice matters. Technology can powerfully extend individual learning and encourage group work in a socially distanced setting. Too much visual stimuli can exhaust students and hinder their intellectual engagement throughout the day. Remember, different learning situations may require students to configure themselves in various seating arrangements. The idea with this type of classroom setup is to encourage discussion between students and the teacher.

Divide your class into two or three more manageable groups, with each group having a subdivided area of desks. "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/01-Why-Students-Should-Leave-Laptops-at-School.jpg", }, Hannah of The Classroom Key is a big fan of this classroom setup. For Valentines Day, the desks can be arranged in the shape of a heart, she explains. *This blog, originally published in 2019, has been updated for 2022. In a small classroom, every inch of wall space is a valuable opportunity for innovative design. "description": "To maximize space in classrooms of any size, teachers need to be critical of how they design these rooms.

We believe safety is a top priority when designing a classroom. In addition to finding the most efficient desk arrangement, your classroom contains many other opportunities for maximizing space. Rather than enforce organization, you can model routines and set expectations for students to follow. When you plan your classroom around creative uses of technology, you show students new forms of expressing their understanding and creativity. The level of engagement bumps WAY up when we give kids time to talk and process with members of a group., When it comes to classroom setups, variety is the name of the game for Caroline Koehler. Students can pivot in their chairs to face the center of the room a perfect area for group instruction or student presentations. Teachers can limit the amount of concentrated traffic by directing students to less-populated sections of the classroom library. But its not just fun that Caroline is going for. "@type": "ImageObject", Spread your books throughout the room with their covers face-out. Shop our solutions for a safe and effective education, andrequest pricingtoday. "dateModified": "2021-06-21" Join our community of educators and Adopt a more accessible design by displaying your picture books on narrow shelving around the perimeter of your room. { Seats should be placed in rows perpendicular to the main teaching wall and face away from their fellow group members. Students will learn to put their supplies away when finished, and teachers will have less work to perform at the end of the day. Consider the following learning situations that your classroom design can better accommodate with different desk arrangements: Plan your lessons ahead of time so you can arrange desks in the correct position before students arrive. Once you determine an arrangement that fits your needs, place markings on the floor to help students, maintenance staff and yourself maintain desk placement. Students will also explore modern methods of researching, collecting and recording data in a controlled environment. Their quick deployment is ideal for classroom routines where students must return or retrieve devices safely and timely. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. She works with autistic students and students with specific learning and cognitive disabilities, and loves organizing her students desks into smiley faces, basic shapes, and even letters for creative classroom seating arrangements. "@id": "/guide-to-classroom-design/" To determine if an item is essential or not, try subtracting it from the space on a trial basis. }, While you want to limit day-to-day desk movement to maintain a 6-foot distance, you can still implement changes in the layout at various points throughout the year. You may not be able to move desks around as often as you could in the past, but adapting your classroom design throughout the year is still a worthwhile possibility. Replace simple posters with more educational ones. Ultimately, the power is in your hands to set up your classroom based on what works for you and your students. "datePublished": "2021-05-28", All PowerGistics charging stations have a space-saving vertical design that can transform with stands, rollers or a wall mount. Teachers need classroom layout ideas that support social distancing and help students achieve academic success. Or perhaps youre hoping to support classroom management by minimizing the chances of students getting distracted. Today, arranging your desks in rows might be the easiest option for social distancing especially in a small classroom. }, The traditional approach to education places the teacher at the front of the classroom and students in rows of desks. Discover more teacher-tested ideas on TpT. "headline": "A Guide to Classroom Design: Maximize Space and Limit Traffic", And sometimes, seating isnt even the best option for a student. When you remove nonessential items from the classroom, you create a larger space where students can focus without distraction. If rows of desks are the only option available, you can still encourage cooperative learning with this traditional desk layout. And you should feel empowered to switch things up as often as you need to. Classroom Setup Ideas: Desk Arrangements That Build Positive Classroom Climate. Chrissy Beltran Buzzing With Miss B is a big advocate of this setup for group work and beyond. While it is crucial to determine which supplies will need to be budgeted or donated, these materials will also require a place for students to store them. "author": { Classrooms can support both a safe and effective learning environment. An open space at the classrooms center allows students to access their smaller groups safely. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. She likes to have a few separate desks at the front, turned to face forward, so that every student can engage with what is going on front and center in the classroom.

Of course, this can come with some side talking so be sure to establish ground rules at the outset. Deep bookcases require valuable floor space, making them nonessential equipment for small classrooms that must prioritize student safety. Movable Plexiglas dividers or whiteboard walls are an excellent investment for the classroom. Necessary cookies are essential for the website to function properly. When this equipment is made available to students, teachers can facilitate cooperative learning without putting students in an unsafe situation. Teachers require innovative ways to organize especially in small classroom spaces. Thats why reducing the amount of clutter is the simplest way to make a small classroom bigger. Maybe you want to enable all students to easily see the front of the room or transition from block to block more easily. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. It also becomes easier for teachers to keep their rooms clean and organized. Once materials have been provided, students will quickly learn essential lessons on responsibility and accountability. With shelving around the entire perimeter, your students have more room to spread out. Teachers can adapt the PowerGistics charging station to fit any classroom design. "name": "PowerGistics", TpT is an open marketplace where educators buy, sell, and share original teaching materials. Arrange desks around the perimeter of the classroom for this method. Of course, flexible seating isnt for every teacher or for every student. Just avoid letting your overall design become a significant distraction. Implement a flexible and modern design where desks are arranged in groups of three or four around the room. "name": "PowerGistics" Thats why teachers need practical storage and charging solutions for their classroom technology. Having a few desks pulled forward away from the group helps minimize distractions for students that need it., Kris of Pathway 2 Success tends to arrange desks in a horseshoe, too especially when holding group conversations. When it comes to innovative storage for laptops, Chromebooks, tablets and other devices,PowerGisticscharging stationsoffer numerous benefits for student safety and classroom convenience. And its about building classroom community and inclusiveness, too. Each device is stored on an individual tray, and students only need to touch the tray of their assigned laptop or tablet. After a few weeks, you should notice whether the missing equipment was critical for student success. Sometimes, if classroom space or budget allows, there are a variety of seating options such as couches, bean bag chairs, carpets, and pods. The TpT Blog When each student in every classroom requires access to laptops, tablets or other digital devices, small classrooms must face another obstacle in their design plans. Access to technology has become crucial in the classroom in recent years. Check your district or state COVID-19 spacing requirements for guidance on how far apart to place desks in group pods. When you make layout changes, share how the new design will keep students safe. Establish reasonable approaches for bacteria prevention. She believes that these non-traditional desk arrangements encourage students to be more creative, think analytically, and have more fun at school. The charging stations at PowerGistics offer an intelligent solution forsafe and efficient design. These cookies do not store any personal information. Consider movable Plexiglas dividers or whiteboard walls.

"@type": "BlogPosting", Cost-effective storage solutions may include: If classroom real estate is small, establish homes underneath each students desk or chair for folders, books, journals and other supplies. These items can still be used for their intended purposes while benefiting students who thrive in a focused environment. Position bookcases, worktables, filing cabinets and easels to make individual areas for quiet work. "@context": "https://schema.org", Floor space is precious when this space is limited, your walls can be a significant game-changer. Wall-facing desks provide a private space for individual work where the teacher can efficiently make rounds and assist students when needed. Student desks should be spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart significantly reducing the available floor space for other equipment and supplies. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. "@type": "Organization", } These routines will limit traffic throughout the space, create smooth transitions and reduce infection risks during cold and flu season. Students can quickly locate the books they want without crowding in close locations for a prolonged period. It gives the entire group a sense of community, allows every voice to be heard, and even encourages learners to step outside their comfort zones, she says. While many old tactics for effective and collaborative classroom design are now obsolete due to safety guidelines, we can still use their insights to create better designs for students. This establishes a creative community who are able to see a larger picture and process that each individual is important to the final product.. Make cabinets and bookcases more accessible. Its crucial for students to feel comfortable in the classroom, meaning its OK to include some fun in the design! The following ideas can help you create safe and effective classrooms, even when space is limited. Assign students to teams and adopt creative uses of technology. When students are in groups, its easy to tell them to turn and talk, think-pair-share, or turn-and-teach, she explains. Discover more teacher-tested ideas on TpT. In public settings, at least6 feet of spaceshould be the new norm. In a horseshoe formation, the desks are set up in a semicircle so that all of the students face each other, and the teacher can also easily move throughout the room. These cookies ensure basic functionality and security features of the website work properly. In that case, it is vital to organize intentional areas in the classroom and in your curriculum where students can use these resources. Determine whether the current fixtures and wall hangings support or distract from student learning. "url": "/wp-content/themes/powergistics/images/logo.png" Before the new school year begins, test various layouts and get creative with your ideas. Flexible seating acknowledges that different learners may need something different sometimes, like standing at a table or sitting in a bean bag chair on one side of the room. Teachers who need to maximize classroom space must still create safety-compliant layouts that can support different learning situations. Laura recommends providing a home base for each student and offering flexible seating options around the room that students can use at any time theyd like. For extra protection against germs, all charging stations are available with an antimicrobial coating. Meaningful Work for Students Serving In-School Suspension (ISS), Tips and Tricks for Using Mystery Pictures in Your Classroom, 6 Tips to Instill a Growth Mindset in Your Students, 15 Classroom Decor Resources and Bulletin Board Ideas, the way students interact with each other throughout the day, how easily the teacher will be able to circulate to each of the students. Teachers and students can remain up-to-date on assignments, current events and primary source materials. Every year, we have students in our class who find a great deal of comfort in knowing they have a desk with their name on it: a place where they can sit consistently day-to-day, says Core Inspiration by Laura Santos. Organize your school year so layout changes can still occur, just on a more controlled basis. ", "logo": { When a task is complete, you should immediately put the materials in their correct location. Thankfully, classroom designs can still facilitate effective collaboration even when teachers must follow safety guidelines. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Their streamlined design reduces the risk of spreading viruses, while the additional coating slows microorganism growth on the surface.

She believes this approach can increase student focus, comfort, collaboration, and excitement for learning. PowerGistics charging stations have a sleek, vertical design that takes up less than half the square footage of a typical charging cart. You can position the charging stations on either side of the room to increase social distancing and reduce congestion in a tight location. If possible, seats arranged in groups or pods will be more effective for cooperative learning than the traditional design. The products excellent cord management eliminates tangled or damaged cords and limits potential cross-contamination. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright & Trademark Policy | Copyright FAQ | About Us | Contact Us. Chrissys reasons for setting up the desks like this are to enable students to be able to have discussions frequently during lessons without having to move or shift direction. With time, this teacher-centered method became outshined by more student-centered classroom designs that could better accommodate different learning modes. If the perimeter of the classroom contains a lot of built-in bookcases, cabinets and cubbies, consider inward-facing desks instead. When prioritizing safe design, it can be easy to forget that your classroom can also influence educational effectiveness. The challenge in most cases is to find a balance between student safety and educational effectiveness. With social distancing standards, most mobile designs became no longer feasible for student safety. Limit traffic to any fixtures against the wall by setting designated procedures for when students may approach their cubbies or search for books. In this layout, each student is also guaranteed a desk to store personal supplies and materials. In the past, many teachers advocated for flexible learning environments that emphasized mobility and cooperative learning. Depending on student needs, teachers can use these walls to establish safer desk arrangements or create focused learning areas. The following tips can help you comply with safety regulations as you map out your floor plan: It is crucial to map out daily routines for your students to design a classroom thats conducive for the lessons you plan to teach each day.