As I get ready to start the new term (new class, new school, new year group!) I've been thinking alot about the set-up of my classroom especially as I will now have 30 students instead of 17 like last year.
I have been reflecting on my first T-col placement in a Year 6-7-8 class where my lovely AT had sought to provide a comfortable working space in what was quite the smallest classroom. She had beanbags, couches, a lovely purple chair for herself (new-not op-shopped) and the children all had buckets to store there stuff in with no particular desk for themselves. Although she had faced opposition from parents as the desks started disappearing the children seemed to get on well with the set up and were able to find suitable places to work the majority of the time.
Contrast that with what my Mentor teacher has said as we have been discussing the idea lately. Apparently the previous teacher went for the "no desk" look and students sometimes ended up working on a box on the floor...desperate measures. When asked about the set-up students also commented on how they felt they lacked a "space of their own" ....somewhere quiet that was there's that they could retreat to.
My questions:
Am I doing this just to be hip for my new class or 'revolutionary' (or down right stupid) in the eyes of my colleagues?
Will I be able to manage the class with such a set-up. Is behavioural management going to be 10 times worse at a time where I need to establish a good work ethic and environment.
Lots to think about in a few days before D-day but I think I can always work up to it. The small steps taken so far are that I have created a few small areas/nooks and different working areas for the students. I have also consciously not labelled the desks.
These articles have proved to be 'passionately for'...I will see where the journey takes me.
http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2013/09/it-time-get-rid-desks-classroom
http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/08/to-foster-productivity-and-creativity-in-class-ditch-the-desks/
I have been reflecting on my first T-col placement in a Year 6-7-8 class where my lovely AT had sought to provide a comfortable working space in what was quite the smallest classroom. She had beanbags, couches, a lovely purple chair for herself (new-not op-shopped) and the children all had buckets to store there stuff in with no particular desk for themselves. Although she had faced opposition from parents as the desks started disappearing the children seemed to get on well with the set up and were able to find suitable places to work the majority of the time.
Contrast that with what my Mentor teacher has said as we have been discussing the idea lately. Apparently the previous teacher went for the "no desk" look and students sometimes ended up working on a box on the floor...desperate measures. When asked about the set-up students also commented on how they felt they lacked a "space of their own" ....somewhere quiet that was there's that they could retreat to.
My questions:
Am I doing this just to be hip for my new class or 'revolutionary' (or down right stupid) in the eyes of my colleagues?
Will I be able to manage the class with such a set-up. Is behavioural management going to be 10 times worse at a time where I need to establish a good work ethic and environment.
Lots to think about in a few days before D-day but I think I can always work up to it. The small steps taken so far are that I have created a few small areas/nooks and different working areas for the students. I have also consciously not labelled the desks.
These articles have proved to be 'passionately for'...I will see where the journey takes me.
http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2013/09/it-time-get-rid-desks-classroom
http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/08/to-foster-productivity-and-creativity-in-class-ditch-the-desks/