Building a dream classroom is just that-- a dream. I understand as a new teacher, that classroom sizes and access to resources can be limited or change based on the area where I am based. A classroom design may also change over the year based on the needs of the students.
But isn't it nice to dream about?
A Reggio Inspired Classroom
Assigning Intentional Spaces
When designing this plan, which is very much NOT to scale, I used the layout of a school that recently opened in the district. On one side, there is a long stretch of windows that face outside with shelves below, it also has a large windowsill for saving projects. Opposite of that, facing the common area of the school, are sliding glass doors that open all the way (meaning one wall is made of glass). This allows for natural light to come in and for the feeling of openness even when those doors are shut. Against this glass wall, I decided to place the house center (which rotates throughout the year for different themes- store if we’re working with money, Artic camp if we’re learning about animals, or based on the students interests). I also placed a natural science center there where students can use the windows to provide light, and study objects that are in that area. If those glass doors are opened, it also allows other students to join in on that fun. Other center shelves for things such as lego, ‘ello, and cars is kept in front of the classroom near the carpet. Next to the classroom library is an area for the classroom dollhouse if the school provides one. The Special Helper (and tomorrows Special Helper) have the opportunity to use the painting easel during Center Time, which is located near a sink. All students also have the ability to use items from a “creation station” (collection of random scraps of paper and old art materials) at their table spots. Each child has their own playdough which can be used as well as the teacher may put out manipulatives for a writing center. During this time there isn’t going to be any shared water or sand play, or objects such as stuffed animals and costumes (lice prevention). Students would be sitting at trapezoid tables, which is my preference for tables in a classroom as you can make different shapes with them and move them around easily. The table arrangement can always be reconfigured based on the needs of the classroom. There is a large carpet space near the calendar for large group meetings as well as use when students are needing alternative areas for learning (if they need to sit on the floor). There is a classroom library between the house/science stations and the large carpet, which is to be utilized when needed. Behind those classroom library shelves is storage for home reading books and the class “lost and found” which face the bathroom. The class washroom has it’s sink on the outside, the classroom library and science centers are positioned to ensure that students wash their hands when they leave. Students have access to their supplies which are below the window near the carpet and the rainbow table. Depending on the year this may be communal supplies or they may be separated by child. The teacher area(s) is to be where students can’t reach, and places that they won’t utilize. Behind the rainbow table (which also serves as the teacher’s desk) would be the supplies that a teacher uses throughout the days. The locked teacher cupboard is also directly located next to the outside door. Above both of the cloakrooms (behind the moving whiteboards) would be where the teacher stores items such as books, manipulatives, or anything else that a teacher needs to store! Art supply storage would be above the sink as, naturally, most cleaning up from a messy art project ends up over there. I wouldn’t want a typical teacher desk, as I can be really clean and organized at one moment and then in the blink of an eye I have a million different piles everywhere! Having one less piece of furniture in the room that the students won’t be using also allows for students to have more space and opportunities to explore. The wall spaces are largely saved for displaying student work. The wall decorations put up by the teacher won’t distract from their ability to create the classroom family. To emphasis the classroom family, there is a wooden family tree between the science and house centers with pictures of each child and their family on it, along with any adult who interacts in the classroom.