My Philosophy on Classroom Organization
To start the school day on the right note, students should gather together in a common area and participate in a morning meeting. This allows students to welcome each other into the classroom and go over the schedule. It is always fun to add in a question to help everyone get to know each other better. Then, students are able to get up and move around before they begin the first lesson of the day, which can help them focus better.
Classroom organization can play a large role in how students work both independently and in groups. Spacing desks together but also provided room to move around is important as you do not want the classroom to be overcrowded. In classrooms where I have worked, tables have been grouped into configurations that allow for collaboration. This gives students already assigned partners, so they can simply turn and talk with one another. Should students have trouble understanding what is being asked and want further guidance, I believe that having a circle table where students can form small groups is important. This allows me to go between each student and help them through what is causing difficulty.
There should also be space around the room that students can utilize to become more comfortable when completing work independently or with one another. Students should not be sitting at their desk all day, and should be able to move throughout the classroom as time permits.
Having a classroom library is essential to the organization of a classroom as it encourages students to read. Providing books that are at the students’ reading levels, and that are organized based on level, makes it easier for students to find a book that interests them. By having a library, I am able to suggest books for students if they are struggling to find something that interests them. The class where I I student taught has provided me with copies of all of the students’ favorite books and even wrote notes in the book covers explaining why. I hope to use these as motivation for my future students to continue reading and finding their own favorite books.