Have you redesigned your classroom for when we go back to school?
I am busy preparing for a new class. I have my class list and I’m determined to run a more organised and efficient classroom when we go back to school. My plan is for everything to have its own place. I will know exactly where to find my inflatable globe, a hat for halloween, extra pencils and spare batteries. It will be an end to lost puzzle pieces and no more rummaging in the back of cupboards for that book uttering one of my favourite classroom phrases,
I know it’s here somewhere…..
I’ve seen the most amazing wicker baskets for sale on Amazon. I’m going for a more natural look next year and away from plastic. Everything will be colour coordinated and correctly labelled. Oh the labels! Have you seen the range of fonts available now?
I follow the most amazing teachers on Instagram and Pinterest and their classrooms are simply to die for. They must be fantastic teachers, their children are so lucky…..
STOP! Be honest, have you been caught in the social media trap?It’s time for a reality check and there is nothing like honest teachers reflecting on their first year in the classroom to bring us back down to earth, when preparing to go back to school…
I spent more time making my classroom look good than finding out about the actual children coming to my class.
I wish I had focused on dealing with behaviour rather than creating perfect book covers. In October my books looked great but my class was in chaos. I’m not sure we did much learning in that first term.
There was a child in my class who I never reached and connected with.
It is SO easy to get sucked into the perfect classroom / perfect folders / perfect displays on social media. I take consolation in the fact that many are simply staged classrooms – or classrooms where no child can move or touch anything. Where’s the random lego piece on the floor? The partially ripped display or the writing on the table? It is just not real.
What is a perfect classroom?There is nothing wrong with having a great looking work environment. You have to spend many hours in the classroom, why wouldn’t you want it looking good? What I am suggesting is that as this academic year comes to an end it is all too easy to become over focused on things that we can control – quick fixes – new stuff. Shiny new things do make you feel good – but how long does that feeling last? How much do the children actually benefit? Could you be using your time more effectively?
In school we are in the business of creating strong positive memories, ie. learning. And the most powerful memories are made when feelings are attached. I am talking about deep, more permanent feelings. What stays with you from your past is how you were made to feel. Not that the pencil pots matched the boarders of the display in your Year 3 classroom.
But my classroom is a mess! Yes, and a certain amount of mess is OK. It is a busy, working classroom after all. Once you come to terms with this you can create time to focus on the really important stuff for your children. Here are some thoughts to guide you on your way….
- Your classroom will always be organised chaos
- Priorities for next academic year: coat peg names, tray names and books
- You are a teacher – therefore you are a hoarder
- Let your class organise THEIR room on Day 1
- Clear your desk but leave 1 tray or box out for ‘important stuff’
- Develop responsibility in your classroom – create a jobs board
- If you live in a developed country, your classroom is already one of the most luxurious classrooms in the world
- Children will learn if they feel safe and valued
Pause and consider using the time ahead to developing yourself and your classroom approaches instead. Perhaps you had success this year in reaching out to certain children. Or maybe you tried an alternative approach to learning. Perhaps you are anxious about a new student who has autism?
Take a look at our video 5 Ways to Create an Autism Inclusive Lesson. Educational research shows us that there is always more to learn and that currently we are only at the start of understanding neurodiverse brains. Check out TED talks on education for back to school inspiration.
Conclusion
Think about what’s happening underneath the gloss and shine that really makes a difference to children’s learning. It’s the ability to connect and draw upon a range of strategies to support a child on the most difficult of days that really qualifies you as an amazing teacher. As well as the consistency of delivering positive approaches, over a period of time, to create a positive working environment.
If you would like further information on how to use your time to create an inclusive classroom take a look at our Positive Behaviour Strategies for the Classroom HERE.
thinking differently
The Autism Junction