It's that time of the year: it's time to move furniture and label classroom supplies. Every teacher feels the excitement and anticipation of a brand new school year, new pupils, and unlimited possibilities. Kindergarten teachers understand how vital those first few weeks are. Your classroom is likely to be the first that students ever see. It will also set the tone for future classrooms. Kindergarten teachers have big shoes! These are ten ideas that will make kindergarten a fun and exciting place to teach.
1. Start setting the tone for your organization right from the beginning
Kindergarten students may be new to school. Some students may have attended daycare, some preschool, and some others may not have had to be in a school setting. It is crucial to establish expectations and teach respect for students from the beginning. Students will feel more responsible and can have more space in the classroom to organize their belongings. There are many options for organizing your belongings. Your students should be taught how to use the space. Some may not know how to share a room with others. One way to help them is to demonstrate how to correctly put things away and when they can access their belongings.
2. Group work using tables and chairs
Today's kindergarten isn't the same as it was twenty years ago. From the moment kindergarteners enter your classroom, they must adhere to high standards of learning. These standards are high, but seating arrangements should still reflect children's development. Your students should be seated in groups to facilitate communication, sharing, and peer-learning. For maximum learning, students should be seated together at least two students at a time, regardless of whether they are seated at rectangular, square or circular tables. Your students must be seated at tables and chairs that are the right height. Being uncomfortable is the number one distraction for five-year olds.
3. Rug time can be the best time of your life!
Your kindergarten classes will take place on your classroom rug. Your rug should be welcoming. The large, colorful rugs will allow students to feel comfortable and provide privacy. Students love knowing where they are sitting. Rugs with clearly marked boundaries (e.g. numbers or shapes) are a great way to save time and help students remember their spots.
4. Reading Nook
Kindergarten is a magical time when your children will begin to appreciate reading. This love of reading will grow stronger if they have a place to read in their free time. It is essential that books are easily accessible in this reading corner. Children should have the covers facing out to make sure they can see the titles. Bins of book should also be clearly labeled by author and subject. Students should have comfortable seating so they can settle down. In the right setting, students can be productive and quiet.
5. Visuals, visuals, visuals!
Kindergarteners love learning through rhymes, song, and play. Children love to learn from you and imitate you in school. Visual aids are crucial to the success of many of these children. Simple sketches can help you understand the lesson and make it clearer. Your chalkboard or whiteboard should be in a central, easy-to-see location. This will ensure that all students can see the chalkboard from their tables and from the rug. A small chalkboard or easel is also a good idea to keep handy for students during lessons or as a helper in a small-group or whole-group lesson.
6. Room for Centers and Workspaces
Your kindergarten students must be actively engaged in learning throughout the day. Students can practice their skills and strategies by working alone in centers and workstations. If not organized and managed properly, it can become the most noisy and distracting part of the day. It will make it easy for students to locate the centers they want to visit and to be able to navigate the space until they leave. These spaces can be as simple and as elaborate as a table or an arts corner.
7. Organization for Centers and Workstations
To make your learning experience smoother, you will need to have a clear idea of where each center should be. Students will be more productive if they have the tools to organize their materials. Your station time will go smoothly if your students are clear about their expectations and the order of your centers.
8. Small group lessons can be saved space
After your workstations and centers are up, you'll be able to pull some students for guided reading lessons or strategy groups. This is a valuable time as you can focus on a small number of students and address their needs. A kidney table can be set up in the classroom to allow students to interact with one another while others work individually. Your table should be in a corner away from other children and distractions. A few mobile drawers are handy to help you organize your lessons and make the most of your time.
9. Be creative with your seating
There are standard kindergarten chairs that all students can use, but it's possible to have a different seating arrangement. You can keep your child motivated throughout the school year by providing a seat that is designated for each week. An author chair is another way to encourage hardwork. Higher quality chairs will help students remain seated in class. Be creative! Five- and six-year olds can benefit from a little bit of seating change.
10. Remember to take care of YOU!
It is not uncommon for teachers to forget about the needs of their students. Your students learn letter sounds, rhymes, and how to tie shoes. Meanwhile, you carry more work on your desk than your phone. Remember to take care of yourself! You can save time by staying organized throughout the day. You must have a system you love to make sure your students have an enjoyable day. You are the only person who can make your classroom a success.
School Outlet stocks everything you need for a perfect classroom organization. Take a look at our inventory today!
