Classroom Design

It's almost time to start unpacking boxes thinking about the year to come. When we return this year our rooms will be blank slates. We can create any environment we want...within limits, of course! Starting fresh can be either intimidating or exciting - or both - so here are some resources to get you thinking.

Books on the subject:
Teaching with Intention (Miller)- causes you to reflect on what you value and creating a classroom that mirrors your philosophy in the classroom.

Places and Spaces (Diller)- includes pictures and lots of ideas

Web Sites:
http://classroom.4teachers.org/ - allows you to choose dimensions and plot furniture, etc. and then print out.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/tools/class_setup/ - Similar site by Scholastic

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/earlycld/ea1lk4-3.htm - a Sample Kindergarten classroom layout

http://www.google.com/images?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&q=pictures+of+elementary+classrooms&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=NR47TOi7DoL88Ab4zbinBg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCUQsAQwAA -- Google search results for pictures of elementary classrooms

Have fun determining how you will organize your classroom this year. Keep the kids foremost in your mind. Don't worry about walls and fancy displays - kids can and will fill that space up as they grow and learn throughout the year. This is an opportunity to re-think your design and make meaningful decisions about how your classroom looks and feels.


Enjoy the rest of your summer...see you in a few weeks!
Kathy