This summer, I shared a blog post about some things I was thinking about while planning my classroom set up with structured literacy in mind. Now that I’ve actually set up my classroom I wanted to follow up on some of the things I’ve done.
Seating Arrangements
After writing my last classroom set up piece, I realized there is a bit of a buzz around the topic of seating arrangements and structured literacy. I know some classrooms only have access to large tables and that’s okay! In my opinion, you can be a strong structured literacy teacher and still have table groups.
I still have been thinking about arranging my desks in rows with groups of two students facing front. Teacher and author Lindsay Kemeny explains the benefits and research behind students sitting facing forward in rows beautifully in her new book, “Rock Your Literacy Block”. So this year, I’m going to try it!
However, the first few weeks of school I am going to keep my students in table groups. I like to slowly introduce supplies and explicitly teach procedures on how we use them. It’s easier for me when I start students off with table bins with used crayons, and supplies. I like to enlist one of the staff at school to be the “Supply Fairy” and deliver us some new supplies after we’ve practiced using some old ones.
After the first few weeks of school, once the supply procedures have been taught and I have a better understanding of my students and their needs, then I’m going to arrange desks in front facing rows with strategic seat assignments.
I’m planning on transitioning to rows after the first few weeks of school.
Desk Organization
I also turn desks around the first weeks of school so students can’t put things inside them. My hope with this is to explicitly teach organization of materials and supplies. I make a big deal about using the inside of our desks. To help with this, I’m also trying some individual desk baskets and individual supply boxes this year.
Some of our students can really struggle with executive functioning. Slowing down and teaching how we use our desks can really help. We also have a desk fairy that visits sometimes after school and leaves notes and even goodies for desks that are neat and organized which helps with motivation!
In “Rock Your Literacy Block”, Lindsay talks a lot about the shortage of academic learning time (ALT) in classrooms and for teachers to think about how we use our precious teaching minutes. When students are organized and can access their materials in a snap, then it prevents loss of that essential ALT!
Teaching Area(s)
Last school year I had one main teaching spot in the front of the room. Students would sit close to me on the carpet, or during other times like dictation, they would sit at their seats. The problem was, some students needed to be close to me, but sitting on the rug with a clipboard was not helping their handwriting and sometimes focus.
I decided to have two teaching areas-one for desks and for carpet time. The problem was, I like using slides sometimes or showing videos during my carpet teaching time and my carpet area is now not near the smart board.
The solution? I found an inexpensive TV, went to Best Buy with an extra student chromebook and had an employee show me what cords I needed to purchase to make my idea a reality. It was pretty easy and inexpensive. So far, so good. It would be nice if I could have two interactive boards-but this still works fine!
I’ve also noticed having students close to me at their desks facing the whiteboard provides even more opportunities for corrective feedback. It’s making a positive difference already-especially during dictation, writing, and math.
Sound Wall
I did not put up my sound wall this year ahead of time. We’ve been slowly building it together and I wish I did this sooner! Students get so excited to try the different sounds and the sound wall has become so much more meaningful. As of this writing in early September, we are still building our sound wall and will be starting to add to our Vowel Valley. I’ve let go of the idea that everything has to look perfect and ready to go on Day 1.
Writing Process Area
Something I just changed in my classroom was adding an area that I can easily refer to the writing process while teaching on the carpet. (A big shout out to Think SRSD!)
In order for this to happen, I had to move my “Heart Words” area. Luckily this summer I made an inexpensive foam bulletin board on a door next to the Sound Wall. Having some visuals of the writing process has been so helpful, especially at the start of our writing time. I can quickly point out what we’ve done and what we are doing in a snap!
Paper Area
I revamped my paper area. I have a section for our Phonics Block that includes “Jake Pages” we use during dictation. I also have trays for each part of the writing process using Think SRSD. This helps foster independence. Students are able to quickly grab what they need when they need it!
Conclusion
No matter how you choose to set up your classroom it is helpful to think of what you are going to teach, how you are going to teach, and know that if something doesn’t work as well as you thought once the students arrive, you can always change it!
If you’d like a tour of my classroom, I walk you through in this video!
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What an outstanding teacher you are! I taught special needs children K through HS over the course of two years decades. I worked with many gifted teachers, and you certainly are one.
Bless you a million times for including organization in your instruction! It’s critical children learn this life skill.