My classroom... last year

These are a couple of pictures that I took when I set up my classroom for the first time last year. It stayed this way for a while, but I got tired of it. Once I started switching things up, I kept changing it, never finding what I really liked. The main problem is the desks: because the chairs are connected to the desks, it is difficult to put them side-by-side and still provide enough room for students to squeeze in between them. Fortunately, I teach 6th grade and most students can climb in or move the desks back and forth.

Our school has sky lighting (the arch on the left) that provides natural lighting in the room! The walls are pretty bare because I don't have a lot of resources that are big enough to be useful.

The desks were arranged in groups of 5.

The way that the desks ended the year in my room was in two arcs. One of my classes had a hard time focusing and communicating well with each other, so I asked them for ideas on how to arrange that classroom that might promote a more positive environment. The arc idea was a suggestion from a student, and when we tried it, most seemed to like it.

While reading Following my Heart to First Grade, I saw a picture of how she has her classroom set up. I may try this desk structure, but would still face the issue of students being able to get in.

I do want to have students sitting in groups, or at least pairs, because being able to work with other people is so important!