This blog post explains how I have set up my current classroom and what I include in it to make it work well for my students and me.
I have created the ‘Happy Hut’ for children who need some space away from everyone and everything else. You would be surprised at how many times this structure gets used! My goal and hopes for this structure is that children go in there feeling sad/unhappy, and come out feeling more relaxed and happy. Inside, I have placed a chair and a bin full of little toys including stress balls and books that have to do with feeling better.
2.) Basketball Recycling Fun
A good way to have children to remember to recycle is to make it more fun for them. I have put this basketball net up so that students can recycle their recyclables.
3.) Table group Collaboration
One of my management strategies for the classroom is to have the individual focus both on themselves, and in this case, the other. (The other people in their groups.) If the entire table does something well, they are awarded a tally for their efforts. At the end of each month, the winning table (table with most tallies) gets a prize.
4.) My own Voice Amplifier
I am personally not one for shouting or yelling and do not have the energy or personality to do so to get students’ attention, so I have to strategically think of a way to get students’ attention without having to do so. I was the first teacher at my school to have done this research and found that there are voice amplifiers to help teachers. I have found it very effective! So much so, I use it all the time when I am teaching. My currently principal was impressed and shared my discovery at a staff meeting and three teachers came to me to ask where I got it. This is something I definitely love and has helped with my teaching tremendously.
5.) File Folders for Each Student
I am a strong believer in organization and in teaching it is an absolute must! I am always trying to brainstorm of ways that I can have a more organized classroom. This set up was wonderful because I kept all of my students assessments in their folders and when it came to parent teacher interviews, I was able to show the parents all of their tests, and something they were proud of for the term.
6.) Bathroom Bears and Organization Bins
I like to encourage some independence with my grade 3 students. I have incorporated bathroom bears (one for a boy, and one for a girl) and whenever someone has to go to the washroom, they take the bathroom bear and place it on their desk. Children have really enjoyed this because then they do not always have to ask me to go.
7.) Classroom Bell
It is important to get students’ attention, and like I mentioned before, I am personally not one to yell. I have purchased this bell so that if the class gets a little too loud, I can ring it to remind them to be in yellow zone (whisper level communication).
8.) Classroom Jobs
With having a classroom of 29 students, it is crucial that organization is met. Students are very eager and excited when we do weekly classroom jobs and this is something I love to do because it allows children to take on responsibilities for the overall improvement of the classroom environment.
9.) SMART Board Projector
I am a huge fan of incorporating technology within the classroom. I love using the SMART board when I can. Sometimes we use it for movies as well which is a fun reward to grant students if they have been doing well 🙂
10.) Classroom Birthdays
Children love to feel special on their birthdays, and I cherish those days with them. I have the entire class sing Happy Birthday for the child, I award the child with a certificate and a present. Children feel very special and appreciated on this day, and I think that is very important.
11.) Classroom Collaboration
In my classroom, students sit at tables. This method has been very good for student collaboration. I have put a small green bin so that students can keep a few things at their desk to help them with their activities.
11.) Comfort in the classroom
I think it is important to create an environment that feels a bit like home in the classroom. I have decided to bring a nice couch that is super comfortable in my classroom. Children absolutely love this, especially for reading. It definitely has added a nice touch in our classroom.
12.) Classroom Rules
It may be a little hard to see, but on the right-hand side I have a list of rules that my students need to follow. If they do not follow them, I ask them to put an ‘X’ beside their name on that blue chart on the whiteboard. If a student does a chore for me, they remove an ‘X’ beside their name. At the end of each month, I give prizes to students who have no ‘X’s’ beside their name 😊
13.) Classroom Library and Subject Containers
To help with classroom organization, I keep bins with subject labels on them so that students know where to put their duo-tangs. I also have many books in the classroom on this shelf and another one containing age-appropriate books.