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How to set up your classroom in 2 hours!

August 5, 2016 By Rachel

Dread setting up your classroom at the beginning of the year? Sometimes you just need to keep it simple. See how to set up your classroom in 2 hours!

Are you setting up your classroom yet?
I just went back this week to start…and even after 13 years, it still can be overwhelming!
But I’ve learned a few tips and tricks over the years that have helped this year be the quickest way to set up! It literally took me two hours!

 

Dread setting up your classroom at the beginning of the year? Sometimes you just need to keep it simple. See how to set up your classroom in 2 hours!

First things first, I move all the big furniture to its rightful place.  My setup last year worked really well, so I knew I wasn’t changing much.  Even if you’re trying a new arrangement, get those big pieces…shelves, bookcases, tables, etc. to the spot you’re going to try them out.  Then you can see if you need to move anything around.

Dread setting up your classroom at the beginning of the year? Sometimes you just need to keep it simple. See how to set up your classroom in 2 hours!

I put the students’ desks and chairs in the arrangement I want.  This helps with two things, it gets them out of the way, plus it gives me extra space to work!

Dread setting up your classroom at the beginning of the year? Sometimes you just need to keep it simple. See how to set up your classroom in 2 hours!

I set up my teacher area next, because I know I’ll need to have access to my scissors, tape, etc.  Easy access means you’re not walking around looking for something and wasting time.

Dread setting up your classroom at the beginning of the year? Sometimes you just need to keep it simple. See how to set up your classroom in 2 hours!

This is usually a huge undertaking, but once it’s complete, I feel like my whole room is so much further along!  I just wrapped these babies in butcher paper so I only had to unwrap and push into place!

Dread setting up your classroom at the beginning of the year? Sometimes you just need to keep it simple. See how to set up your classroom in 2 hours!

I was so fortunate that I didn’t have to take down my bulletin backgrounds and borders this year!  But don’t feel like you have to have something on your bulletin boards the first day.  Leave it blank to add student work!

Once these 5 things are complete, I know students could walk and I could start teaching!  Now, I know I don’t want them too…because I want to do SO much more to make our room cozy and inviting.  But honestly, these are the bare bones, if this is done….then the rest will fall in place!

Dread setting up your classroom at the beginning of the year? Sometimes you just need to keep it simple. See how to set up your classroom in 2 hours!
  • Rachel
  • Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Back to School, Classroom, organization

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    Comments

    1. Burke's Special Kids says

      August 7, 2016 at 3:54 AM

      Great ideas! I like to leave my boards blank too. I'd rather build them with student work, anchor charts, etc. I think it is more meaningful to add relevant content the kids need. Have a great year!

    2. Rachel says

      August 7, 2016 at 8:36 PM

      Thanks!! I completely agree and feel kids will use the info on the bulletin boards more if it goes up as it is taught!

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    Rachel | 4th Grade Teacher
    How long is your students’ attention spans? I o How long is your students’ attention spans?
I only have about 10 minutes before I lose them! 🤪
And I don’t know about you but my lessons are typically longer…so I try to mix it up every 10 minutes with a Think-Pair-Share or some kind of movement
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#teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteach4th #iteach456 #teachersofinstagram #teachingelementary #attentionspan #minilessons #thinkpairshare
    6 ways to get your students participating in your 6 ways to get your students participating in your lessons!
1️⃣ Think Time - giving your students time to think about the answer keeps your over achievers from answering all the questions 
2️⃣ Movement - Stand/Sit if this is your answer
3️⃣ Turn & Talk - Everyone shares their answer with a partner
4️⃣ Hand Signals - Perfect for multiple choice questions
5️⃣ Think-Pair-Share - Combines the think time with turn & talk 
6️⃣ Repetition - repeat important information to help it stick
🗣🗣Which number are you trying this week?!
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#teachersfollowteachers #igteachers #iteach #teachergram #iteachfourth #iteach345 #teachingstrategies #studentparticipation
    Do you have these 4 teacher goals?! 1️⃣ Instr Do you have these 4 teacher goals?!
1️⃣ Instructional Goal - How are you improving your instruction?
2️⃣ Relationship Goal - How are you building relationships with students or coworkers?
3️⃣ Balance Goal - How are you trying to have a better work-life balance?
4️⃣ Non Instructional Goal - What other area are you trying to improve?
Here’s my 4 goals!
1. Vocabulary Instruction 
2. 2 Positive Notes a Week
3. Leave by 3:00 3 out 5 days
4. Clean off back counter once a week
What are your goals?
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#teachersfollowteachers #igteachers #iteach #teachergram #iteachfourth #iteach345 #teachergoals #teachergoals🍎
    Coming back from break is a lot easier than the fi Coming back from break is a lot easier than the first day of school!
Less teacher talk 🗣
More student talk 👥
1️⃣ Give your students time to catch up with each other. Even adults like to chit chat about what we did during break!
2️⃣ Review procedures by playing a fun game. Charades is a great way to act out procedures to see if other students can guess what they’re doing!
3️⃣ The halfway point of the school year is a great time for students to set goals!
What’s your favorite thing to do after a break?!
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