CLASSROOM SETUP! - Day 3

It's that time!! This is my favorite series to film because I love creating a warm, welcoming space for my students. This year is a little different because I have new challenges in regard to the space, and I am teaching 6th grade instead of 3rd! If you have ANY questions or advice please leave a comment down below :)

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FAQ:
Why are you moving classrooms again? - I moved to a new school and from 3rd grade to 6th grade!
Age? - 27
Grade? - 6th
What subjects will you teach? - Math and Science for now
Are you doing a give away? - YES!! But I am not giving away my 3rd grade stuff that I might use in the future.
Camera? - Canon G7x Mark ii

[graceprunier]

You should do a first day of school get ready with me (teacher edition)

[sararf]

Maybe for the broken board of the shelving unit: You could wrap it in contact paper, fabric or wrapping paper and place it in the middle of the other two bookcases to create some symmetry. Just a thought!

[yamilethgonzalez]

You should make long rows 🤔
Ex.
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[kristinasarti]

I would do al the desk in groups of two because if they need too they can turn their desk especially if you know they will be in groups for days. I would put tape down to make where the left leg of each desk goes

[sadiefoote]

Set up videos are my favorite! 😊 Those desks are interesting though, never seen them before.

[erinreed]

I have those desks (without the trays underneath) at my school. I put them in groups of 4 because it fits within the rooms that we have and allows me to walk around and work with the kids. I try and angle the desks so that the kids don't have their backs to the boards, keeping them split down the middle so there are two kids on each side (more of a square than a diamond, if that makes sense). Some teachers in my school only put 3 together to combat the issue of kids not facing the board. Also, I would stagger the groups so they don't block another group from seeing the board. My students really like the groups because they can collaborate with their classmates on assignments and ask them questions (creates independent learners) and not rely on me so much. They can either be in pairs or small groups this way. If we do debates or anything like that, I put them into rows for larger groups. They're definitely more challenging than square desks, but the kids seem to really like them. Good luck with your setup and year!!

[mkennedy]

Do a google image search for “boomerang desk arrangements.”

[michellenicole]

I teach 6th grade out in Boston MA! I would keep a variety with the desks because you'll quickly find out that certain kids do better in groups, while others need to only be responsible for talking to one partner. Maybe move the set of two in the third row into the middle so that the pairs of desks are all in one half of the room. :)

[tjc]

set-up videos are so therapeutic to watch..lol! you're so lucky that you have access to your classroom so early in the summer...I had to turn in the keys and wait until probably 2 weeks before school starts to set up.

[OhKaylaMariah]

YAY! As a teacher myself and heading into my second year my motto and approach to everything is “progress is progress, no matter how small!” Great job so far 💕

[julieaaron]

So glad you were able to clear out and get your desks. Big sigh of relief 💜

[kberry]

I haven't even watched the video yet but I saw the notification and yay desks! I got unreasonably excited for you!

[joannas]

As a former 6th grade student, I find that variety is better with seating especially if middle school is separate from elementary school, kids try to meet new friends. Keep in mind for seating arrangements the unfortunate thought of cheating on tests and quizzes. It is a bit easier to stop wandering eyes with a single divider for a group of two, but that’s always your choice.
As for the back of the bookcase, I was thinking just a thick foam poster board which usually come in black or white. It looks from the video like it would fit and it is sturdy enough. Just a thought!!

[samanthamueller]

I'm a HS math teacher and I have those desks and I had SO many different seating charts last year trying to come up with the best method. I really think it depends on your students. I did the pods of 4 (star or diagonal whatever worked so they could see the board), I did the doubles in rows (rows with 2 attached like you had), I did a combination of those, I did the one you had with the 3 facing each other in with long columns of 8 desks, and the last one that I had for the last maybe 3 months was a U/W shaped design (with a break in the middle of the U for me to get into), I maneuvered myself. I'm not sure how much space you actually have if that would work, but I really enjoyed the U so I could move around and get to everyone easier. I could send you a picture of it, it's really hard to explain with the darn curve!! On the left and right I had 6 desks (2 desks would have their flat parts touching then the next 2 would, etc.), in 2's facing inwardish, then 3 coming off the left and right at the bottom facing forward to come form the bottom of the U. Then inside of the U I had 2 rows with 4 desks across, so that all of my kiddos had seats.


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l l l l l l
l l
l l l l l l
l l
l l l l l l l l


So think of the lines above as the desks, something like that! Hope that makes sense and maybe helps! Thanks for your classroom videos, I am moving classrooms this year too and trying to figure out what I can do! Today was my first day able to get into the room and begin the organizing process!

[Soccerroxz]

Love how fast you are able to get this series up! I know it’s a lot of work but it is a lot of fun to see how your classroom evolves from start to finish.

[kellyhitz]

I'm a retired elementary teacher. I so enjoy watching your process. I miss the fun of getting ready for a new year. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Good luck with 6th grade. Big jump from 3rd. 😉

[drekamesha]

I'm enjoying these videos so much. New subscribers. As a parent I love to see teachers that put in effort and genuinely care for our kids. Thank You!!!!

[Oliveyourmoney]

I like the groups of two and they can turn around to make a group of four when needed.

[melissap.]

Wow, 29 kids is a lot! That must make it even harder to set up desks. I feel for you!

[jessemunson]

Love these videos!! For the bookcase you could put the one with the broken back in the middle of the other two. And a decorative/functional way to fix it would be to either wrap a piece of fabric that matches your theme to the broken board for strength or hot glue to the bookcase itself.