My grade 5 classroom.
There is no such thing as an ideal design! Just try your best!
Here are a few essentials for young learners.
Most important - an alphabet at the front of the class. Get the students to color the cards, then laminate.
Make some learning boards. Don't let your manipulatives get dusty in a box. Take them out and display them!
Notice the stuff on the feet of the chair legs (I use tennis balls)! You might need to do this or buy lots of tylenol!
Use the ceiling - hang important phrases from it. Use the floor, stick stuff to it!
Clothes lines are a great way to use space and display work.
I like the color in this classroom!
Dialogue boards are wonderful. Change weekly and get the students to master them.
Grammar boards offer good practice.
Group students like this. Notice the X / O , yes, no teacher's response prompt.
Children learn language socially. Group so this happens.
Vocabulary boards for new words!
Practice stations for dialogue.
Another practice station. Make them so students can draw/write on them!
Put up chants for practice!
I keep student portfolios in files like this. One for each group/table of students.
Notice the names on the board (to the left). Assign responsibilities for students. Change weekly.
Notice the whiteboard and greenboard! Get them to use for ready made lessons. No chalk, no erasing.
I like the use of space in this classroom.
Comfort is necessary for YLs. Get a carpeted area for reading/story time.
Another impressive classroom for YLs.
Students can make calendars the first week! Use them to display birthdays. (see them under the windows)
Notice the student work on the walls.
I like groups of 5. One leader.
Display your manipulatives around the class.
A complete classroom - notice the library!
Graffiti Wall. Change with a new piece of chart paper every week. Take a photo each time and at the end of the year, have a slideshow!
Walls of words are wonderful.
Do them alphabet style too.
A nice example of a wordwall.
Bulletin Boards work too.
Don't forget to decorate the halls!
Like this.
Don't forget the stairs!
And for sure, don't forget the door! Make a welcome sign!
Some of my students making classroom decorations!
Storybook making for our classroom library!
