Thursday, September 5, 2019

Organization Station- Classroom Layout

Are you still trying to perfect your classroom layout but cannot decide the most effective set up? Well then today's Organization Station is just for you! We are featuring some of our favorite layouts from around the Miami Valley.


It is important that each location in the classroom is clearly defined to help students stay in their designated area. To help with determining which locations are needed, determine ahead of time where you will have each of the following:

  • whole group instruction
  • small group instruction
  • 1:1 instruction
  • structured/independent work
  • breaks and leisure time
  • sensory breaks
  • teacher/staff area

Whole Group
Many preschool and elementary classrooms use a carpet area for their whole group instruction such as story time, calendar, or whiteboard work. Adaptive seating such as cube chairs or scoop rockers can be an effective structural support for students who need increased boundaries while on the carpet. 

Rhonda Brunk
Trotwood ELC, Trotwood
Sandy McIntosh
Trotwood ELC, Trotwood
Other whole group activities may require a writing surface so a whole group table can be a great support. We like how the shelves are used in the example below to clearly define the whole group table area. 
Ashley Holtz and Molly Magoteaux
Kleptz ELC, Northmont

Rachel Engle
Horace Mann Elementary, Springfield




Larger groups of students may need multiple tables or desk pods. 

Rhonda Brunk
Trotwood ELC, Trotwood

Kelli Medina
Monticello Elementary, Huber Heights


Small Group
Sometimes large group areas can double as small group areas as student disperse to other areas of the classroom. Using a visual schedule or mini-schedule to help students understand what is expected when they come to that location can be helpful. 
Jamie Minnish
Prass Elementary, Kettering

Ashley Holtz and Molly Magoteaux
Kleptz ELC, Northmont


One-on-One
When setting up an area to work 1:1 with a student, it is smart to use physical boundaries such as shelving, curtains, or dividers to reduce any outside distractions. Also, incorporate storage so that materials are easily accessible to keep momentum while working. 

Rebecca Lemons
Miamisburg Middle School, Miamisburg
Brittany Bush
Spinning Hills Middle School, Mad River

We love how these classrooms have one-on-one areas for specific subjects so that visuals and materials for each subject can be readily accessible in that area.

Rylie Jarrett
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Mark Tracy
Wright Brothers Elementary, Huber Heights
Mark Tracy
Wright Brothers Elementary, Huber Heights

Structured/Independent Work
Like one-on-one areas, independent work areas are most effective when visual distractions are at a minimum. 
Pandy Pugh
Indian Riffle Elementary, Kettering

In the example below, the student needs a variety of tools and visual supports throughout the day so an extra desk is reserved next to him to keep extra materials. 
Shanon Vance
Valley Forge Elementary, Huber Heights

Use "portable offices" to convert a pod of desks into individual work spaces. 
Sandy Beck
Broadway Elementary, Tipp City

Or use a study carrel to provide a student with a Home Base area where they can go when they need to focus more on work and block out distractions. 

Traci Parker
Forest Elementary, Troy


Some learners need a more structured set up when it is time for independent tasks. A structured work systems can be a versatile way to structure this work time. 
Rhonda Brunk
Trotwood ELC, Trotwood 
Emily Ottmar
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River



Carrie Prickett
Jane Chance Elementary, Miamisburg

Rylie Jarrett
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Christine Scarborough
Tecumseh Elementary, Xenia

For more information on implementing structured work systems in your classroom check out these posts:





Breaks and Leisure Time
Probably one of the most helpful areas to clearly define is the area where students will take breaks and have free time. Use furniture and shelving to help contain the area. 
Rhonda Brunk
Trotwood ELC, Trotwood 

Kim Hampton
Broadway Elementary, Tipp City

Mark Tracy
Wright Brothers Elementary, Huber Heights

Toni Mallot
Jane Chance Elementary, Miamisburg

Taylor Ruef
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Provide visual supports to help this area stay organized. 
Taylor Ruef
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Break and leisure time may also include reading or technology. 
Kelli Medina
Monticello Elementary, Huber Heights

Ruby Copley
JFK Elementary, Kettering

Rylie Jarrett
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River


For some students, it may be helpful to "close" the break area when it is not an option to prevent escape behaviors. 

Jamie Minnish
Prass Elementary, Kettering


Sensory Breaks
Up to 98% of individuals with ASD have sensory processing differences and up to 88% of individuals with disabilities also have sensory processing differences. Therefore, accounting for where students can take sensory breaks to prevent from become overstimulated is a very important component when serving students with special needs. 

Shanon Vance
Valley Forge Elementary, Huber Heights

Katy Philpot
Rosa Parks ELC, Dayton

Mark Tracy
Wright Brothers Elementary, Huber Heights
Teacher/Staff
Many teachers and staff are reducing visual clutter in the classroom by reducing the size of their work space. This is a great way to open up the classroom to provide more space for learning activities. Consider sharing a space or creating a smaller teacher area. Use shelving and file cabinets to create boundaries and to store materials that previously were in a desk drawer. 

Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville


For more information on classroom layouts check out one of our favorite books: 



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