I often arranged them at an angle so that when I was demonstrating from the whiteboard it would be easier for the kids to see.
I had the desks more on one side of the room with the classroom library/meeting area on the other.
With the kid's having their own personal book baskets to house their independent reading books I then decided to put an empty desk in the center of the groups. After that worked pretty well I was inspired by a fellow teacher who had added a "shelf" to her groups. Her desks were a different style and this didn't work well. So my husband and I built little bench shelves to go between the desks to house their baskets, kleenex, and hand sanitizer.
Toward the end of the school year I was able to get a ceiling mounted projector and SMARTslate. Then...changes again! With the ability to project many things to the whiteboard for teaching purposes, we were using that area more than the meeting area. I could now do all my calendar math on the whiteboard using SMARTslate. Now that I am teaching summer school I am trying a new arrangement. I moved our square tiles for the meeting area right in front of the whiteboard. The desks are around the meeting area. So we can now meet using SMARTboard programs and also project lessons. If they need to be at their desks I have tried to configure them so the kids can just turn and look.
Summer school begins next week so I have a 19 day
"trial" to see how this configuration works.
"trial" to see how this configuration works.
I absolutely LOVE the shelves you and your husband built to put in the center of your desk groups. Did you purchase those? If so, where and what did you get? I think it's so convenient to have everything they need (ie: book boxes, tissues, etc.) where they can easily get to them with minimal distractions to others.
ReplyDeleteI also like the way you put your meeting area in the center of your room up by the whiteboard and your desks around that. This has definitely given me an idea as I set up my classroom next year.
Thanks for sharing!
I just found your blog from the "desk linky party" and I love it! I love the desk/bench idea & can't wait to get my poor hubby busy! Thank you for the time to post pictures and share your ideas! I am so excited to try this! You will love & adore your new technology too!
ReplyDelete~Fern
Fern-Smith.Blogspot.com
The bench ideas is so cool and wow original!! Thanks for all the awesome pics!!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Thoughts of a Third Grade Teacher
I just love this, what a creative idea! Everything is so organized and accessible--it's a teacher's dream! Thanks so much for linking up :)
ReplyDeleteKristen
Those desk shelves are AMAZING! What a brilliant idea! :)
ReplyDeleteTell me about your seatsacks. I made some from hand towels, but love what I could see of yours.
ReplyDeleteI love the bench idea between the desks! When I taught 2nd I used an extra desk to hold tissues, crayons, etc but i would have loved to have had this! Great thinking!
ReplyDeleteLindsey
http://whytewater.blogspot.com/
Great idea! How far below the desk did you drop the shelf? Do you remember the dimensions for the whole shelf? I would love to make some for my room.
ReplyDeleteLove all of your ideas! I would also love to know how you made your desk shelves.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Found this wonderful idea on Pinterest. So glad I found your blog.
ReplyDeleteI would really like the dimensions of these bench/shelves s I have talked my husband into making them. How have they been working for you?
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Classroom Desks & Classroom Furniture & Classroom Tables