The setting of the classroom is one of the most important tasks at school, especially in the nursery classroom, and involves an important work of planning, searching and gathering materials , organizing … That is why it can be very useful to have a guide that serves to know where to start and not end up falling into the saturation of the space or the impoverishment of the mobility or distraction of the students.
Where to start when making a classroom setting
The first thing to take into account is the physical space, how many meters or walls are available to start planning and organizing everything. Start by thinking about the walls there and the windows, doors and exits . Always take into account aspects such as emergency and fire measures, so as not to obstruct or cover things as fundamental as these. If you are also going to place furniture, such as shelves, desks or additional work tables, have the space very well so as not to overload the environment and always prevent them from falling and endangering the little ones.
Leave space for movement and for proper storage of all the materials that will be needed during the course. The objective and the level of planning of the setting will also depend on whether it will be fixed during the year or only seasonal (such as Halloween, Christmas, etc.).
- Shelves and reading spaces
The shelves can be moved to form cozy reading centers and serve as storage. A simple bookcase could be placed in a corner of the classroom and be an area of tranquility or magic books. A space of this type always provides privacy for those moments when you have to stay focused and quiet, as well as fun for storytelling or sessions related to books.
- Desks and space organization
Organize the placement of desks according to the level and climate of each class. Do not forget that their situation is very important, because from there children should be able to see boards, projector screens, graphics, etc. If you want to make spaces more collaborative, place the desks in sets of two, three or even four , but keep in mind that grouping students requires even more planning than grouping desks.
Another important aspect is to have enough space to move between the desks, both for the students and the teacher. A good format can be U-shaped, where you can even put the teacher’s table in the middle.
- Storage and security
Although space is limited, it is important to always consider storage capacity and security measures . Consider outlet for plugs, put guards on sharp corners, etc. If you have a lot of materials, shelves and box towers can be a very good option, always labeled with the name of each material and (as long as they are not hazardous materials) accessible to students.
Place, for example, computers on a wall away from desks and all together. Set up a good writing and painting center with plenty of crayons, pens, paper and cardboard, play dough, etc. If you also want to incorporate more fun materials, include things such as stamps, silent creatures , or manipulative and anti-stress objects in some of the boxes.
- Ingenious storage ideas
Use baskets for reading books, label each basket by subject … Try putting those subjects that require a greater number of material in more stable and durable containers, if possible with lids to protect from dust, if possible to be transparent, so as not to lose too much time searching and selecting.
- Be true to your criteria and personal style
The climate in the classroom should be an honest reflection of each teacher’s individual style, or at least that would be ideal. Do not get carried away by fashions or what other colleagues do and be true to your ideas and creativity, as long as the center allows it . The important thing is that what is sought is useful for the students and always open to their growth and learning needs. Not by putting more things will the space be more beautiful and educational, since the key is to get it right and choose or design the material correctly so that it is truly useful.
And you, are you one of those who make settings in class? What trick or style do you usually follow to do it? We look forward to your comments!
