Classroom Organization and preparation

How will I prepare for and organize my future classroom?

What will i need?

As a first-year educator, it may seem incredibly overwhelming to determine the materials needed to properly set up a classroom but after my recent learning in classroom community, management, and safety, there are specific items that I know I will need to be successful.

Writing utensils - for myself and the students
Large selection of literacy materials (books, videos, posters)
Craft supplies (poster boards, markers, crayons, pens, scissors, tape, glue sticks)
Activity supplies (color dots for student movement, small ball, interactive walls)
Alternative seating (pillows, seat cushions, beanbag chairs, stools)
Stationary (Notebooks, paper, scrap paper, sticky notes, highlighters, paper clips, stapler, folders, binders)
Shelves and storage space (shelving for decor and plants)
Small buckets (student supplies bucket for groups)
Monday through Friday planning buckets - used to store lesson plans and needed materials for that day.
Pocket Charts - used to hold student jobs and for student goals
Plastic bags - used to hold smaller materials such as manipulatives or paper cut-outs
Air freshener or diffuser
Alternative lighting (lamps, overhead light covers, string lights)
Decor (stuffed animals, posters, plants, lighting)
Organizers (small drawers for desk area, larger for behind the desk or in storage areas)
Student name tags
Technology - laptop for presentations, videos, and music
Student book boxes - labeled with each student's name
Whiteboards and whiteboard markers
Fidget toys - used for the 'Calm Down Corner'

*Some materials will be dependent on district curriculum and school policy*

What will my organization look like?

Rolling Drawer organizer

I would use organizers like these because it offers a significant amount of storage space while also being mobile. I would use this for craft materials for students, or planning materials for each day of the week.

Shelf organizer

Shelves like these could be used for student work. For example, students could turn in completed work here, or this could be a type of mail box where items put in the shelves are to go home that day. Each shelf will be labeled with their name.

I am determined to create a simple, yet effective organizational system in my classroom. Depending on the curriculum, I may need to change my organization. For example, if the school gives me math curriculum materials, I may need to find new places for them. Or, if certain reproducables are needed throughout the school year, I may need to create binders to keep them categorized. Most of my lesson plans will hopefully be organized in folders on my laptop, although some materials will need to be stored in the Monday through Friday buckets. Depending on the classroom setup, I would love to create a space where students can access their materials. Therefore, students are expected to be independent. This also shows that I trust them with my materials and that when they need to get something, they do not have to ask me to get it for them.

In this diagram, students will be visible in most areas, especially those used for academic learning. The only area that has more privacy is the Calm Down Corner. I did this because I want students to feel safe. If their peers are watching them or overstimulating them, they may not want to use the calm-down corner. Desks are in the front half of the room so students are physically and mentally engaged. Although some areas may seem closed off, they are visible to me at my desk and I will be moving around the room supervising. All areas are accessible to all students and learning in each station will be in a rotation so every student gets a chance to experience them. This rotation will be created at the start of the year and used throughout the rest of the year.

how will i prepare?

Before school begins, I must have these materials ready. I will need to set up my room almost entirely before the first day of school to ensure that my lessons, materials, and activities can be executed to the best of their ability. I have been told by several teachers that it is always better to have too much prepared than too little. This also applies to family contact. I will set up a 'Meet the Teacher' night where families are encouraged to come into the school to meet me and get a look at their child's classroom. I will offer a 'Get to Know Blank' worksheet that parents can fill out with their children. The questions on the worksheet will be about student interests both academic and personal, home routines, supports needed, etc. Worksheets like these show families that I think they are the experts of their children. Another section of the 'Get to Know Blank' worksheet allows families to determine their best form of communication (email, phone, both). Throughout the school year, I will communicate with parents regularly, using their preferred method as well as newsletters that offer good information about upcoming school events, homework, or new subjects we will be introducing to their children. I will also offer talking prompts they can ask their kids to start academic conversations at home.

Lesson plans will be created for subsititutes prior to me being gone. Each lesson plan will consist of clear directions, the school schedule (including the amount of time for each subject, the specific tasks I want completed, prompting questions and discussion topics, as well as a place where the substitute can write notes about students, or behavior). I will have my organizers and materials labeled and easily accessible. I would also hope that my students could offer the substitute help in where to find things around the room.

Meet the teacher!

I would give families this worksheet on our 'Meet the Teacher' night. I want my students and their families to get to know me just as I am with their children. The worksheet includes information about my personal interests, educational background, my family and my academic interests.

Get to know me

I would offer this worksheet to families at the 'Meet the Teacher' night. This worksheet allows children to share information about themselves that will also help me in the classroom. The answers to these questions can subsequently help me create lessons that are geared toward my students personal experiences and interests.

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