It's almost that time of year
again: time for shuffling furniture, labeling classroom supplies, and
perfecting lesson plans – in short, back to school. Every teacher knows the
buzz, that feeling of a new school year, new students, and endless
possibilities. Kindergarten teachers, however, know just how crucial those
first few days are. Yours is possibly the first classroom your students will
ever encounter, and it will set the standard for all future classrooms and
learning experiences. No pressure, but kindergarten teachers have big shoes to
fill! Below are ten fun, fabulous ideas for setting up your kindergarten
classroom so that communication, education, and fun are the norm from day one!
1.
Set
the tone of organization from day one
Kindergarten students are new to
the school day. Some may have been to preschool, some may have been in daycare,
and others may have never been in a school-like setting with other children
before. Therefore, it is important to teach students YOUR expectations for
organization and respect from the first day. Having a space to keep students'
belongings safe and organized will teach them responsibility, and will free up
more classroom space for moving, growing, and learning.
Coat
racks, cubbies, or lockers are all excellent organization storage options.
It is helpful to explicitly teach your students how to use this space, as some
of them may be new to sharing a room with others. Some helpful lessons may be to
teach them how to appropriately put things away, when students are allowed to
access their things, and how to respect their classmates' belongings.
2.
Group
work with tables and chairs
We all know that today's kindergarten is not what it was thirty, twenty,
or even ten years ago. Kindergarteners are held to rigorous standards for
learning from the moment they arrive in your classroom. However, while these
standards might be high, the seating arrangements should still reflect the
children's levels of development.
Seating
your students in groups is the most effective way to allow for sharing,
communication, and peer-learning. Whether at circular, square, or rectangular
tables, your students should always be seated with at least two other students
for maximized learning. Also, remember that tables and chairs should be the
appropriate height for your students. Nothing distracts a five year old more
than being uncomfortable!
3.
Rug
time is the best time!
Much of your kindergarten teaching
will occur on the classroom rug. Therefore, you want your rug to be a welcoming
space. Large, colorful rugs are a good idea because they give students room to
sit comfortably and have personal space. Assigning spots on the rug usually
helps save time, and students like knowing exactly where to sit. Rugs that
already have clear boundaries, such as shapes or numbers, work well and will
save you time trying to remember where each student's spot is.
4.
Reading
Nook
Kindergarten is truly a magical year, during which your students will
learn to truly treasure reading. Giving them a special space to read during free
time or reading time will make this love even stronger. In this special reading
nook, it is important for books to be easily accessible to students. Covers
should be facing out so that kids can see what titles are available to choose
from, and bins of books should be labeled by author, subject, or series for
clear organization.
Comfortable
seating should be available so that students can easily hunker down. It's
amazing how quiet and productive students can be in the right setting!
5.
Visuals,
visuals, visuals!
Kindergarten students love to
learn through song, rhyme, and play. They love to watch you teach, and then
imitate you when playing school with peers. Many of these children remember by
watching, which is why visual aids are key to their success. A simple sketch to
explain a lesson can be the difference between complete confusion and total
comprehension. Make sure that your
whiteboard
or chalkboard is in an easy-to-see, central location. That way, all
students will be able to see it, whether from their tables or from the rug. It
is also beneficial to have a small easel or chalkboard available for students
to practice lessons on during activities or even as your helper during a
whole-group or small-group lesson.
6.
Space
for Centers and Workstations
Throughout a kindergarten school
day, your students should be constantly engaged in learning, both with you and
with their peers. Centers and workstations are places where students practice
working independently to strengthen the skills and strategies that they have
already learned from you. However, as every kindergarten teacher knows, this
can be the noisiest and most distracting time of day if not properly overseen
and organized from the start. Designating clear spaces around the room for different
centers will allow students to know exactly where to go, and where to stay,
until their time at that center is over. These spaces can be as simple as a
table, or as intricate as a
play
kitchen or
art
corner.
7.
Organization
for Centers and Workstations
Once you have a clear plan for
where each of the centers will be in your classroom, it is important to organize
the materials for a smooth experience. Color coding bins, labeling supplies,
and putting all materials in close proximity to their matching centers will
help your students to work independently. It may take some brainstorming, but
once your centers are organized and expectations are clear to your students,
your station time will be smooth sailing!
8.
Save
some space for small group lessons
Once your centers and workstations
are underway, you will have time to pull a few students for strategy groups or
guided reading lessons. This time is precious, as you get to zoom in on just a
few students and target their strengths and needs. Having a
kidney
table in your classroom for these small groups is an efficient way to meet
with students while the others work independently around the room. Try to set
your table in a corner, away from the other kids and any distractions. In
addition, keeping a
small
set of mobile drawers nearby can help you stay organized and maximize your
teaching time!
9.
Get
funky with seating
While there are, of course, standard chairs that most kindergarten
students would find comfortable, it can be beneficial to sometimes switch the
seating up. Having a special seat for the student of the week, for example, can
keep kids excited and motivated all year long. Another fun way to encourage
hard work is to use an author chair when you want students to share their
writing. Better chairs can also help that active student stay seated during
your lessons. Get creative! A little change in seating can go a long way with
five and six year olds.
10.
Don't
forget about YOURSELF!
As the teacher of young students, your
days often go by without sparing a single thought for your own needs. You encourage
letter sounds, sing rhymes, and tie shoes while your cell phone sits in your
handbag and more and more work piles up on the desk. Don't forget about
yourself! Staying organized all day can help you save a lot of time once the
students leave. Having a system that works for YOU is important to ensure that
not only your students have a good day, but that you have a successful and
happy one as well. Remember, without you, nothing in your fabulous classroom
would ever get done!
At School Outlet, we have the
supplies that you need to organize your classroom to perfection. Check out our
inventory today!
