Classroom Arrangements and Cooperative Learning

Julia’s Kindergarten Classroom Layout In my classroom arrangement, I have chosen to arrange the student tables to have six students per table and divided into colored teams. At each table, there will be basic school supplies like crayons, pencils, colored pencils, erasers, scissors, and paper for doing classwork. Each type of supply will have their own cup to be organized in and the students will all be responsible to put them in the correct place. The tables and school supplies cups will be color coded for easier organization and better classroom management. In the corner there is a bathroom for the students to use throughout the day and the hand washing station as well. Students will come into the classroom and see their cubbies with their names on them to put their backpacks their hooks to put their jackets on from home. Located in the front of the classroom is the teacher’s desk to be able to see all the students and the different teams. The teacher will put the students that have trouble focusing, learning disabilities, or behavioral issues to the yellowcolored table close to them to help these students be more successful in class and away from distractions like the computers, play area, and all the materials of the classroom. Being in color coded groups will help students be in a productive learning environment while also working with their peers because the teacher is the one that will facilitate the groups and assign them and then the students will learn how to interact with one another in a group. Located in the front middle of the classroom is the group reading carpet and this is where the teacher will call the students to the carpet for reading stories, doing group lessons, and working on the interactive white board. Using the reading carpet helps promote good collaboration with students and their peers and the teacher. The teacher will do productive learning lessons on the carpet and gain their interest of the students more easily. There is a bookshelf that gives students their own individual access to the stories and materials they need to complete their classwork as well. Even though at the teams there are the classroom school supplies, there is another shelf with additional supplies to refill the students table with if something is misplaced or broken during class time. The students can easily get up and grab the supplies they need without interrupting the teacher’s instruction time. Some classroom materials that are used during free play time are blocks and other toys, arts and crafts, and dramatic play like dress up and pretend play. Inside the classroom, everything has their own spot to put the materials to maintain order, routine, and structure for the students and the classroom environment. Located in the back of the classroom is the play area carpet for students to play together on. In the back of the classroom, there are four computers for students to take turns sharing and using. In the computers station, students will understand the expectations of technology inside the classroom, and they will not be distracted during tabletop activities because the computers are not near their tables and they are in a separate area of the classroom. During free play activities, there will be a station for sensory play and the teacher will allow only two students at a time at the table to do a sensory activity. Lastly, located in the classroom is the bathroom with one toilet and a student’s hand washing station for them to use. The bathroom is in the corner and students will learn how to use the bathroom by following the procedure. There will be only one student inside the bathroom at once, and there are two sinks available for students to line up and wash their hands after entering the classroom and putting their belongings away. The classroom arrangement is set up for a centered learning experience and there are many opportunities for students to collaborate with one another during class time. The students will be encouraged to work with one another in their colored teams and safely communicate by listening to each other during group discussions, helping each other with classwork, and building enriching relationships with other students to enhance their learning experiences. There is ample space inside the classroom for the students to move around and freely choose their own path of individuality by being able to access their classroom materials themselves and choose their own objects to play with in the classroom.