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. Implement a flexible and modern design where desks are arranged in groups of three or four around the room. Large, bulky charging carts pose many challenges for classrooms looking to limit traffic a single cart can take up a lot of space, causing students to crowd in a single area and increase the risk of germ spread. To maximize space in classrooms of any size, teachers need to be critical of how they design these rooms. Consider movable Plexiglas dividers or whiteboard walls. Thankfully, classroom designs can still facilitate effective collaboration even when teachers must follow safety guidelines. Of course, this can come with some side talking so be sure to establish ground rules at the outset. For extra protection against germs, all charging stations are available with an antimicrobial coating. Maintain 6 feet of space between desks with markings. I know it can stress some teachers out, but there is so much value in having kids sit with a group, she says. Maybe you want to enable all students to easily see the front of the room or transition from block to block more easily. 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. }, Spread your books throughout the room with their covers face-out. Students can easily maintain their space, and teachers can effectively prevent germ and bacteria spread. For Valentines Day, the desks can be arranged in the shape of a heart, she explains. Deep bookcases require valuable floor space, making them nonessential equipment for small classrooms that must prioritize student safety. She believes that these non-traditional desk arrangements encourage students to be more creative, think analytically, and have more fun at school. With social distancing standards, most mobile designs became no longer feasible for student safety. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Chrissy Beltran Buzzing With Miss B is a big advocate of this setup for group work and beyond. Need more classroom setup ideas? These cookies ensure basic functionality and security features of the website work properly. Students can quickly locate the books they want without crowding in close locations for a prolonged period. Their quick deployment is ideal for classroom routines where students must return or retrieve devices safely and timely. Divide your class into two or three more manageable groups, with each group having a subdivided area of desks. 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. When deciding how to set up the desks in their classroom, you might have some goals in mind. And its about building classroom community and inclusiveness, too. Student desks should be spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart significantly reducing the available floor space for other equipment and supplies. "name": "PowerGistics"

Remove unnecessary furniture and explore more intuitive ways to organize. Each device is stored on an individual tray, and students only need to touch the tray of their assigned laptop or tablet. When it comes to innovative storage for laptops, Chromebooks, tablets and other devices,PowerGisticscharging stationsoffer numerous benefits for student safety and classroom convenience. 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. Test out and combine the following methods for arranging desks in your small classroom and find a design thats both safe and effective. "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/01-Why-Students-Should-Leave-Laptops-at-School.jpg", 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. Check your district or state COVID-19 spacing requirements for guidance on how far apart to place desks in group pods. Students in each group should face one another without having their desks touch. "@type": "Organization", When you plan your classroom around creative uses of technology, you show students new forms of expressing their understanding and creativity. Technology can powerfully extend individual learning and encourage group work in a socially distanced setting. Arrange desks around the perimeter of the classroom for this method. 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. Thats why teachers need practical storage and charging solutions for their classroom technology. "@type": "ImageObject", Determine whether the current fixtures and wall hangings support or distract from student learning. "mainEntityOfPage": { ", 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.. "@type": "BlogPosting", The idea with this type of classroom setup is to encourage discussion between students and the teacher. After a few weeks, you should notice whether the missing equipment was critical for student success. Too much visual stimuli can exhaust students and hinder their intellectual engagement throughout the day. } Teachers working with a small space often face greater design challenges.

If rows of desks are the only option available, you can still encourage cooperative learning with this traditional desk layout. Adopt a more accessible design by displaying your picture books on narrow shelving around the perimeter of your room. "@id": "/guide-to-classroom-design/" Just avoid letting your overall design become a significant distraction. "headline": "A Guide to Classroom Design: Maximize Space and Limit Traffic", Before the new school year begins, test various layouts and get creative with your ideas. In a small classroom, every inch of wall space is a valuable opportunity for innovative design. Discover more teacher-tested ideas on TpT. The charging stations at PowerGistics offer an intelligent solution forsafe and efficient design. 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. Floor space is precious when this space is limited, your walls can be a significant game-changer. 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. With time, this teacher-centered method became outshined by more student-centered classroom designs that could better accommodate different learning modes. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. PowerGistics charging stations have a sleek, vertical design that takes up less than half the square footage of a typical charging cart. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright & Trademark Policy | Copyright FAQ | About Us | Contact Us. The TpT Blog To reduce the spread of germs and bacteria, each student will need individual supplies. An open space at the classrooms center allows students to access their smaller groups safely. "description": "To maximize space in classrooms of any size, teachers need to be critical of how they design these rooms. Teachers and students can remain up-to-date on assignments, current events and primary source materials. All PowerGistics charging stations have a space-saving vertical design that can transform with stands, rollers or a wall mount. If the perimeter of the classroom contains a lot of built-in bookcases, cabinets and cubbies, consider inward-facing desks instead. "author": { In that case, it is vital to organize intentional areas in the classroom and in your curriculum where students can use these resources. If possible, seats arranged in groups or pods will be more effective for cooperative learning than the traditional design. In the past, many teachers advocated for flexible learning environments that emphasized mobility and cooperative learning. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Sometimes, if classroom space or budget allows, there are a variety of seating options such as couches, bean bag chairs, carpets, and pods. Teachers who need to maximize classroom space must still create safety-compliant layouts that can support different learning situations. Remember, different learning situations may require students to configure themselves in various seating arrangements. *This blog, originally published in 2019, has been updated for 2022. When prioritizing safe design, it can be easy to forget that your classroom can also influence educational effectiveness. Join our community of educators and
Today, arranging your desks in rows might be the easiest option for social distancing especially in a small classroom. And you should feel empowered to switch things up as often as you need to. 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. Assign students to teams and adopt creative uses of technology. Thats why reducing the amount of clutter is the simplest way to make a small classroom bigger. share ideas, inspiration, and connect with teachers from around the world! Once you determine an arrangement that fits your needs, place markings on the floor to help students, maintenance staff and yourself maintain desk placement. Limit traffic to any fixtures against the wall by setting designated procedures for when students may approach their cubbies or search for books. The products excellent cord management eliminates tangled or damaged cords and limits potential cross-contamination. Current layout trends are developing into long-term efforts to create functional spaces and reduce infection risks during cold and flu season. Classes that prioritize teacher-centered instruction may benefit from a different approach, however. Its crucial for students to feel comfortable in the classroom, meaning its OK to include some fun in the design!

Suppose your students have access to laptops, tablets or other technology tools. It also becomes easier for teachers to keep their rooms clean and organized. }, "url": "/wp-content/themes/powergistics/images/logo.png" 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. Perhaps youre looking to encourage more student collaboration. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. "@type": "WebPage", Pay close attention to the rooms perimeter. "logo": { Access to technology has become crucial in the classroom in recent years. 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. The challenge in most cases is to find a balance between student safety and educational effectiveness. Position bookcases, worktables, filing cabinets and easels to make individual areas for quiet work. The following ideas can help you create safe and effective classrooms, even when space is limited. 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. Current layout trends are developing into long-term effortsto create functional spaces and reduce infection risks during cold and flu season.

"@type": "Organization", This arrangement allows teachers to address the entire class from the front. When you remove nonessential items from the classroom, you create a larger space where students can focus without distraction. To determine if an item is essential or not, try subtracting it from the space on a trial basis. With more free space, you can better understand what a classroom can become. TpT is an open marketplace where educators buy, sell, and share original teaching materials. This layout is ideal for cooperative learning and individual work, though it also accommodates group instruction. Each piece of furniture, equipment and even decoration should serve a purpose for students. Their streamlined design reduces the risk of spreading viruses, while the additional coating slows microorganism growth on the surface. { Teachers can adapt the PowerGistics charging station to fit any classroom design. Ultimately, the power is in your hands to set up your classroom based on what works for you and your students. "publisher": { 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. Discover more teacher-tested ideas on TpT. For additional safety, position Plexiglas dividers or movable whiteboards between each group. 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. We believe safety is a top priority when designing a classroom. When a task is complete, you should immediately put the materials in their correct location. These routines will limit traffic throughout the space, create smooth transitions and reduce infection risks during cold and flu season. You can position the charging stations on either side of the room to increase social distancing and reduce congestion in a tight location. Students will also explore modern methods of researching, collecting and recording data in a controlled environment. Organize your school year so layout changes can still occur, just on a more controlled basis. 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. } 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. Replace simple posters with more educational ones. 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. Any nonessential equipment should either be removed to create more floor space or multi-purposed to boost their efficiency in the classroom. Of course, flexible seating isnt for every teacher or for every student.

Students can pivot in their chairs to face the center of the room a perfect area for group instruction or student presentations. These cookies do not store any personal information. Students will learn to put their supplies away when finished, and teachers will have less work to perform at the end of the day. Teachers need classroom layout ideas that support social distancing and help students achieve academic success. Seats should be placed in rows perpendicular to the main teaching wall and face away from their fellow group members. In addition to finding the most efficient desk arrangement, your classroom contains many other opportunities for maximizing space. Even after removing the bookshelves, teachers can still create a classroom library that supports social distancing and maximizes space. 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. 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. Rather than enforce organization, you can model routines and set expectations for students to follow. 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. And sometimes, seating isnt even the best option for a student. In this layout, each student is also guaranteed a desk to store personal supplies and materials. My goal in seating students in a semicircle has always been to strengthen relationships, facilitate meaningful conversations, and remind learners that every voice matters. },

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. In public settings, at least6 feet of spaceshould be the new norm. Teachers require innovative ways to organize especially in small classroom spaces. When its time to collaborate, students can turn in their chairs and discuss topics without moving closer than 6 feet. When you make layout changes, share how the new design will keep students safe. Establish reasonable approaches for bacteria prevention. Group pods are a classroom setup that involves grouping three to five student desks together to encourage small group collaboration. Powergistics 2022 All Rights Reserved. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Depending on student needs, teachers can use these walls to establish safer desk arrangements or create focused learning areas. Movable Plexiglas dividers or whiteboard walls are an excellent investment for the classroom. The traditional approach to education places the teacher at the front of the classroom and students in rows of desks. Wall-facing desks provide a private space for individual work where the teacher can efficiently make rounds and assist students when needed. Small classrooms will benefit from a technology storage solution that can mount to the wall or stand out of the way. With flexible seating, traditional seating charts are replaced with seating arrangements that allow the students to sit where they choose. "dateModified": "2021-06-21" She believes this approach can increase student focus, comfort, collaboration, and excitement for learning. "datePublished": "2021-05-28", Classrooms can support both a safe and effective learning environment. Hannah of The Classroom Key is a big fan of this classroom setup. Shop our solutions for a safe and effective education, andrequest pricingtoday. 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. Make cabinets and bookcases more accessible. When students are in groups, its easy to tell them to turn and talk, think-pair-share, or turn-and-teach, she explains. Once materials have been provided, students will quickly learn essential lessons on responsibility and accountability.

"@context": "https://schema.org", But its not just fun that Caroline is going for. This establishes a creative community who are able to see a larger picture and process that each individual is important to the final product.. "name": "PowerGistics", Teachers can limit the amount of concentrated traffic by directing students to less-populated sections of the classroom library. With shelving around the entire perimeter, your students have more room to spread out. Classroom Setup Ideas: Desk Arrangements That Build Positive Classroom Climate. Nobody has to turn their chairs around to see the front. 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. These items can still be used for their intended purposes while benefiting students who thrive in a focused environment. 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. Or perhaps youre hoping to support classroom management by minimizing the chances of students getting distracted. It can also be particularly effective when the teacher is displaying content on a SmartBoard or projector in the front of the room. Keep reading for ideas on ways you can set up your classroom layout to meet these goals. 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.
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