How Do I Arrange 29 Classroom Desks?

Use graph paper to design a furniture layout.

Rearranging the furniture is one way to change the dynamics of your classroom. According to Reading Rockets, "Research on this subject seems to be limited. Add it to the list of things you'll learn with experience." Furniture layout is based primarily on space and accommodations, as well as your teaching style. Some arrangements promote cooperative learning and dialogue, while other layouts promote structure. You might decide to rearrange your classroom based on your class's personality or instructional needs. While there is no right or wrong way to arrange your classroom, there are elements to consider when redesigning.

Instructions

1. Measure the room's dimensions. Locate any aspects of the classroom that cannot be rearranged, such as windows, doors, built-in bookshelves and chalkboards. Use graph paper to create a layout of the room and its main elements.

2. Decide what elements of the room you'd like to be in the students' main view. In most classrooms, the chalkboard or marker board is a central feature. If you have a stationary television or interactive whiteboard, decide whether student desks need to face these. On your graph paper, note where these important features are located.

3. Locate a spot for the teacher's desk. In some classrooms, your desk location is determined by existing features, such as a telephone line or computer-network wires. Decide whether you'd like your desk behind or in front of the students. Traditionally, the teacher's desk is placed at the front of the room. However, according to Reading Rockets, placing the teacher desk at the back of the room "promotes a student-centered atmosphere. It also allows space to work while keeping an eye on students."

4. Choose a layout for the desks. Use your graph paper to sketch out various arrangements to see what fits in the space. Also, consider your teaching style when designing the layout. f you'd like a structured arrangement, arrange the chairs in rows. For 29 chairs, set up six rows of five desks or vice versa. If your students work in cooperative teams, use a pod arrangement. Create six pods of four desks and one pod of five desks. Another alternative is a U-shaped row. According to "Scholastic," "everyone has a front row seat" with this arrangement, which encourages dialogue and allows the teacher easily to reach each student.

5. Move the furniture into place. Walk around the room to see if your arrangement feels comfortable. Consider whether every student can see the important elements in the room. Make sure there is plenty of room for students to enter and exit their desks. Check to see if there is enough room for traffic as students flow through the room. There should be space in front of the chalkboard and pathways leading to the door, the teacher's desk and any other areas students need to access.

Tips & Warnings

• Rearrange the furniture as your needs change. You do not have to leave the furniture in the layout you choose for the first day of school.

• Don't change the arrangement too often or right before an exam. Allow students some level of comfort and predictability.

References

• Reading Rockets: Classroom Arrangements
• "Scholastic": Classroom Organization-The Physical Environment