Preparing your class for the first day of school: Part 1 (seating arrangement)

The start of the school year is an exciting time!  New school supplies, new outfits, new friends, and that is the teacher!  :)

Before the students walk into your room, you need to prepare your room.

 Let's first think about the desks in your classroom.  Think about how you will present a lesson and how students will practice the concepts taught.  Will they work in groups often?  What about when they take a test?  What about when you are presenting new information?  Most likely the desks will need to be moved often.

Here are a few examples of desk arrangements that can be quickly pushed together for group work.

This is my classroom from the States

Mrs. Follie's Teacher Page

Both of the seating arrangements are where students can work individually for the application part of the lessons (worksheets for a grade, tests, quizzes).   These arrangements work really well for the older students. 

Here are a few examples of group seating arrangements (for the practice part of the lesson). 

The Cutest Little House in Town

The Cornerstone

These seating arrangements work well for younger students, but can be used with older kids also.

When it comes time for students to work individually on the application part of the test, you can have them use these:

For the Love of Teaching

More to come on using posters in the classroom and first day activities!