Room arrangements

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Room arrangements
By Debbie

Hi Skip,
Congratulations on your new position...If you can get several trapezoid shaped tables, those are great. Your 'teacher group' table might be round. Tables promote cooperative learning and give lots of work space.
You can put two together, and fit 6 children comfortably, plus still have room in the center for a plastic organizer (Target or KMart has these with 3+ sections (I put two plastic tumblers in two sections for pencils and markers, the other section could be for scissors, glue, etc.)...I bought a plastic Rubbermaid shoe type box for each child's personal things, folders, etc. and they

are stored in cubbies (if you can't get the school to get them, you can find paperboard divider sectional 'mailboxes' at an office supply store. Bookshelves in as many areas of the room as possible will allow you to categorize books you want the children to get for a particular project...arts and craft books, books about illustrators, etc. near the art area (needs a large rectangle table if possible), math / science books at a 'discovery' area (try for another big rectangle, if possible), etc...also a cozy set of beanbags or a small sofa, rocking chair, whatever comfy for a reading area...Try to get at least one bookshelf that displays books with the covers facing out, more inviting that way (and should probably go in the reading area or meeting area); on the meeting area, it needs to be big enough for all to comfortably fit for class meetings, and it would be great to have a rug to define its space. A wonderful book for community building is called 'Tribes'. Most activities in it are adaptable for K-12 and even adults...Hope this helps...Debbie ;-D