It’s so much easier to move the writing center to the other side of the classroom when you’re doing it on a piece of paper—or even the computer. Consider using Lakeshore’s free online classroom designer. Find it on our website under the heading “free resources.” Our classroom designer is an interactive tool that makes it easy to map out your own classroom layouts—whatever the dimensions of your learning space!

Things to remember:

• If you set up a listening center, consider where the electrical outlets are located.
• Situate your desk/personal area in a place where you feel comfortable and have the best view of the classroom.
• Keep computer screens facing away from windows to minimize glare.
• Separate high activity areas/centers from the quiet areas/centers.
• Plan for traffic patterns.
• When arranging student seating, make sure all students have a clear view of the chalkboard. Keep in mind the kinds of whole group activities you’ll be doing. Do you want the desks in a circle or small clusters?

Once you have designed your ideal classroom layout, set up a space for students to store their supplies! While some student desks come equipped with storage space under the surface or beneath the chairs, you may find that these areas are quickly occupied with books and folders, leaving little room for other necessities, such as crayons, pencils, scissors, rulers and glue! In this case, set up a separate area that is designated just for student supply storage.

Here are a few ideas that will fit a range of classroom budgets:

• Purchase an inexpensive over-the-door hanging shoe organizer with clear plastic pockets. Hang the organizer on a wall hook, and use stickers or mailing labels to label the pockets with students’ names. Invite students to stock their pockets with crayons, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, scissors and other small supplies that can easily be retrieved as needed throughout the day.
• Set aside a bookshelf that can be used for student storage space. Encourage students to bring in school supply boxes, or have them decorate and fill recycled shoe boxes with their school supplies. When not in use, return the shoe boxes to the shelf for easy storage. Or, purchase food storage containers with lids. Write students’ names on the storage containers with permanent marker.
• If your student desks are arranged in groups, try using a “community supplies” box or tote tray that can be shared among the students in each group. Lakeshore’s Classroom Carry-All and Classroom Caddies are great choices for this type of storage. Have students keep the box in the middle of the group so it’s accessible to all students throughout the day.
• If your classroom budget affords a more permanent storage solution, you may want to invest in an All-Purpose Classroom Storage Tray Center. Just assign a storage tray to each student, and each morning students can retrieve their trays from the shelves to keep under their chairs for the day!

Collecting and storing student papers can be daunting if you’re not organized! Make your paperwork procedures more manageable by establishing a routine…and sticking to it! Once students understand how the collection process works, they’re less likely to repeatedly ask: “What do we do with this when we’re done?”

Here are a few simple options:

• Storage Trays – If you prefer to have students hand in papers as they are completed, set up and label stackable plastic trays for each subject area. As students finish assignments, encourage them to place their completed work in the appropriate tray.
• Paper Collectors – If you prefer to collect all students’ papers at the same time, consider assigning the duty of “paper collector” to one or two student helpers. At the end of each subject period, the “paper collectors” gather completed assignments and stack them neatly before handing them in to you.
• All-Class Pass – If you’d rather all students stay seated after completing their work, ask them to place completed papers on the corner of their desks until the end of the period. When it’s time to collect the papers, have each student take the papers from the student on their left and pass the papers to the student on their right until all papers reach the outside of the row for you to collect. (Avoid having students pass forward, as this can create problems with students dropping papers, etc.) For students seated in groups instead of rows, they should pass the papers to a designated group leader. Then, you can quickly collect the stack from each group leader.
• Number Shout-Out – Collecting papers in alphabetical order can be a great help when you need to record assignments in your grade book. To do this, assign each student a number according to last name. Call out the numbers in order; students will hand their papers to you as their number is called.

As you set up your classroom, think about incorporating learning centers to introduce, reinforce and extend concepts you’re teaching. Depending on available classroom space and student needs, you may want to either establish permanent stationary centers or create mobile centers that can be disassembled and tucked away.

Stationary Centers
If your classroom can accommodate stationary centers, set up a variety of learning center desks or tables around the room. Be sure there are enough chairs at each center to accommodate the number of students you would like to work together. Label each center with bright, colorful signs that can be hung from the ceiling or mounted on the wall above each table. Organize center space by providing a folder with printed instructions, a box or envelope containing center materials and a checklist for students to complete as they work through the learning center activities. At the close of each center time period, encourage students to return materials to their proper places so the learning centers stay tidy.

Mobile Centers
Can’t find the space for learning centers in your classroom? Here are some fun ideas for establishing centers on the go!

• It’s in the Bag – Purchase colorful gift bags at a discount store or ask parents to donate canvas totes, and then fill them with learning center materials. (Students can even use markers, crayons or paints to decorate the bags with images that correspond to each center’s theme!) Then, hang the bags on hooks along a wall or in a closet so that you can retrieve them when it’s center time.
• Box It Up – Store center materials in lidded plastic tote trays you can easily stack on a shelf or in a closet. Use index cards and a marker to label each box with the title of the center, and tape the label to the outside of the box. For each learning center, print out and laminate a sheet of instructions you’d like students to follow, and tape it to the inside lid of the box. Then, fill the box with all the materials needed for the learning center. When center time comes, students will have everything they need to complete the activities!
• Learning on Display – Create instant learning centers with folding display boards! These sturdy trifold boards can be purchased affordably at most paper or office supply stores. Just mount center instructions directly onto the boards, and then staple folders, resealable plastic bags or large envelopes to the board to hold learning center materials and supplies in place. When it’s center time, take out the boards and stand them up around the room! When not in use, fold the display boards back up and store them against a wall or in a closet.

Preparing your classroom for the new school year gives you a great opportunity to stretch your imagination as you create an exciting learning environment for your students! When students are stimulated and inspired, they’re often more engaged and productive learners!

Tricks to try:

• This year, try building your reading corner around a theme such as “Book Beach” or “Reading Rain Forest,” and decorate the area accordingly. To create a “rain forest,” for example, you could hang artificial vines from the ceiling—even stuffed animals from the leaves. An inviting reading space can do a lot to raise students’ interest level.
• Move beyond butcher paper backgrounds as you’re assembling your bulletin board displays this year. Experiment with the patterns and textures of wallpaper, wrapping paper or inexpensive fabric from the remnant bins of a craft or sewing shop.
• Make your classroom feel more like home. Use oversized throw pillows, beanbag chairs or even an old sofa (add a fresh slipcover, and it’s as good as new!) to make a reading or quiet study area more inviting.
• Inspire your students to take ownership of their new classroom—it will be their “home away from home” for the next nine months! During the first week of school, invite students to bring in a few photographs (pictures of themselves on a family vacation, posing with the family pet or participating in a hobby or sport). Allow students to tape the photos to the sides of their desks to give their furnishings a personal touch. Or, designate a bulletin board titled “All About Me.” Students can take turns decorating the “All About Me” board with photographs and original artwork throughout the year.
• Encourage your new class to offer each other praise and support by setting up an “Applause Box.” Explain that students should feel free to write notes of praise when they see another student being kind or helpful. Students should put their notes of praise inside the “Applause Box” when they’re through writing them. Then, after you’ve reviewed the submissions, set aside a few minutes at the end of each week to invite student volunteers to read the positive comments aloud. Consider keeping track of each comment and showing them to parents at conference meetings. Don’t forget to remind the class to praise their peers!