When planning your classroom layout, it is important to plan ahead. The classroom should have clearly defined locations for the followng:
- whole group instruction
- small group instruction
- one-on-one instruction
- structured/independent work
- free time/indoor recess/reward breaks
- sensory breaks
- technology
There may be some age-specific areas included in your classroom layout as well. For instance, preschool classrooms may have areas for dramatic play, naps, and sensory play while high school classrooms may have areas for vocational tasks.
In some classes, an area of the classroom may need to serve multiple purposes such as using a kidney table for whole group or for small group depending on the time of day. Below we have compiled some of the best examples we have seen across the Miami Valley for each location.
Whole Group Instruction
Many teams at the preschool or elementary level have a carpet area for whole group activities such as GoNoodle, calendar, or whiteboard activities.
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| Angela Crum Fairbrook Elementary, Beavercreek |
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| Keelin DiMuccio Fairbrook Elementary, Beavercreek |
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| Emily Ottmar Stevenson Elementary, Mad River |
A large table, such as a kidney table, is also a great place for whole or small group instruction.
Small Group Instruction
One-on-One Instruction
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| Jessica Ward Rolling Hills Elementary, Northeastern |
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| Jamie Minnish Prass Elementary, Kettering |
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| Rebecca Lemons Miamisburg Middle School, Miamisburg |
Structured/Independent Work
Larger classrooms can often accommodate for each student to have their own work space.
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| Pandy Pugh Indian Riffle Elementary, Kettering |
Smaller classrooms may need to have a designated independent work station if they do not have the room for every student to have their own work space.
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| Carrie Prickett Jane Chance Elementary, Miamisburg |
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| Taylor Ruef Stevenson Elementary, Mad River |
Free Time/Indoor Recess/Reward Breaks
Designating where students should spend play and leisure time as well as clearly communicating when they are allowed to play is an important classroom management strategy.
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| Jessica Ward Rolling Hills Elementary, Northeastern |
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| Toni Mallott Jane Chance Elementary, Miamisburg |
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| Taylor Ruef Stevenson Elementary, Mad River |
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| Jamie Minnish Prass Elementary, Kettering |
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| Brittany Sword Valley Elementary, Beavercreek |
Sensory Breaks
Many students benefit from a quiet area where they can get a break from the sensory demands of the classroom. In some buildings, this may be a designated room. When a building does not have this space available or when a teacher wants an area that is quickly accessible, they may create a sensory space within the classroom.
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| Pandy Pugh Indian Riffle Elementary, Kettering |
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| Kendall Koehler Normandy Elementary, Centerville |
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| Keelin DiMuccio Fairbrook Elementary, Beavercreek |
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| Traci Parker Forest Elementary, Troy |
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| Bobbi Jo Chapman Snyder Park Elementary, Springfield |
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| Jamie Zimmer Kettering Middle School, Kettering |
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| Beth Young Snyder Park Elementary, Springfield |
Technology
Some classrooms have a designated location for technology such as a computer station or iPad area.
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| Jennifer McGowan Smith Middle School, Vandalia |
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| Peggy Ristau Brookville Intermediate, Brookville |
Other classrooms have technology stored in a designated location and when it is time for students to use the technology they can take it to another area.
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| Megan Kelly Beavertown Elementary, Kettering |
It is important when dividing up the classroom into clearly defined locations to use visual and physical boundaries. Sometimes these are static such as positioning of furniture or shelving. Other times, we see teams use portable dividers that can be adjusted throughout the day based on the number of locations being used and distractibility of students.
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| Laurie Maravetz Schaefer Middle School, Springfield |
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| Ramel Mitchell Kyle Elementary, Troy |
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| Marissa Calhoun Fairbrook Elementary, Beavercreek |
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| Jamie Minnish Prass Elementary, Kettering |
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