How to Arrange a Classroom

Organize Students, Space, Time and Materials to Enhance Learning

Aug 30, 2009

Effective room arrangement and advanced planning is essential to classroom management. Teachers can set up their rooms to help eliminates distractions for students.

Seasoned teachers know that classroom management is a key factor in how well students learn. Just by organizing the physical environment of the classroom, a teacher can enhance learning opportunities and at the same time eliminate problems that will cause interruptions and delays in instruction.

Arranging the Classroom

Furniture should be arranged for productive work. Set up student desks in areas of the classroom to minimize distractions, particularly away from windows and doors. The desks can be placed in rows or clusters, but chairs should face the location where most of the instruction will take place. The teacher should be able to easily go to each student desk to offer help when necessary.

It is wise to keep high-traffic areas, such as the water fountain, pencil sharpener, teacher's desk and wastebasket, free of congestion.

The teacher should be able to see and monitor all students at all times from anywhere in the classroom.

Make Storage Space and Materials Readily Accessible

Students will need storage space for their own books, backpacks, lunchboxes and other personal items. Allowing students to have their own space provides a sense of belonging and security and will help foster student involvement and cooperation in classroom activities.

Frequently used materials should be stored in labeled containers and easily accessible to students when they are needed. Clear plastic containers can be purchased. Or, household items such as coffee cans and shoe boxes can be used to organize materials. Seldom used materials can be stored out of the way, and pulled out when necessary. It is effective for teachers to demonstrate how to use each of the materials as well as how to clean up so the students spend the maximum amount of time working and learning.

Ensure That Students Can Easily See Instructional Displays and Presentations

Bulletin boards should be filled with student work. Seeing their assignments on display encourages students to take pride in their what they are doing. Walls, cabinets and other spaces can be filled with information on classroom procedures, jobs, and schedules.

It is also advised to have important reference materials on display. Word walls and charts pertaining to the current topic, theme, unit or chapter should be hung up in a prominent place in the classroom for easy reference. The daily or weekly assignments should be posted in a consistent location. This helps students to be more independent in taking responsibility and learning how to look for the answers to their questions.

Teachers who take the time to prepare themselves and their classroom are rewarded with the benefits of a well-organized class with fewer disruptions and behaviors.

The copyright of the article How to Arrange a Classroom in Classroom Organization is owned by Krista Sadlers. Permission to republish How to Arrange a Classroom in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.