Are you ready to head back to school?
This time of the year is busy for teachers, to say the least. There is so much to do. Between things like prepping for back-to-school night and lesson planning, it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed.
One of my favorite ways to beat the overwhelm and start the school year off on the right foot? Getting my classroom set up and organized in a way that is conducive to learning and makes things easier for me as I move through my day. As teachers, we are usually running around doing a million things during the day and having an organized classroom can make a huge difference in the ease and flow of the day.
If you’re looking for back-to-school tips for teachers or classroom setup ideas, you’re in the right place. These are my top classroom setup ideas for elementary classrooms!
Why is classroom setup important?
The environment that students are in as they learn every day is extremely important. The right classroom setup can be a beneficial classroom or behavior management tool. Having your classroom set up in a way that is safe and welcoming for learning can make a huge difference in how your students’ day goes because the right arrangement can help them focus and learn in a fun, well-structured environment.
It benefits you as a teacher because you can have the desks, centers, tables, and supplies arranged in a way that makes things easier for you and your students because needed supplies can be grabbed quickly and easily.
What is the best classroom setup?
Of course, the answer to this question largely depends on your teaching grade and the resources available to you. Here are some general tips for a classroom setup that you and your students will love.
- Try arranging desks in clusters to encourage students’ collaboration and social skills. This also gives the room more walking space and helps it feel more open and inviting.
- Store supplies close to student desks to make it easy for them to get the supplies they need and minimize the instances of behavior issues.
- Keep your teaching supplies/copies/ binders close to your desk or workspace to make it easy for you to access what you need during the day.
- Set up designated areas for centers, play, etc.
- Include a calm down corner. This is a safe space for students to go when they need a minute because their emotions are overwhelming them. Include things like fidget spinners, glitter jars, or bubble wrap for students to use while they regain control of their emotions.
If you’re looking for some teaching resources to make your classroom setup and organization easier, I have you covered.
My editable center labels are perfect for easily setting up your centers.
There are 56 center signs for preschool, kindergarten, or 1st-grade classrooms and they come complete with I CAN objectives. Each center sign has the objectives listed but if you need the objectives to say something different, they are editable. All you have to do is just click and type! These center signs are versatile and show diversity. The “I Can” signs are perfect for center rotations and organization.
Organize your tables with these free table number signs and table color labels.
Label your tables with these adorable Western-themed table cards. Included are table labels by color and table cards by number for you to choose. Personally, I have used both and assigned the number or the color a day of the week to line up first. Kids love them!
My western-themed classroom library labels are perfect for organizing your classroom library in a way that makes it easy for students to find what they are looking for.
This helpful resource contains 50 classroom library book labels with pictures. Labels are 4.5 X 5 and are perfect for your PreK and Kindergarten kiddos to be able to self-manage the library (which equates to less clean-up time for you)!
Even your non-readers will be successful in managing the library with these book bin labels! Labels also include words for your readers so 1st and 2nd-grade teachers love them too!
These look great printed on card stock and then laminated. The font is a cute “Western” font but can be changed if you need something different.
Make your classroom complete by setting out some adorable bookmarks for students that will encourage students to grab a book and practice those reading skills!
You can get these bookmarks for free here!
For more back-to-school resources that will make your life easier, check out my number of the day worksheets and back-to-school assessments.
What are your favorite back-to-school classroom setup tips? Let me know in the comments!