Pet & Animal: How to Set up a Kindergarten Classroom

Saturday, 5 September 2015

How to Set up a Kindergarten Classroom

Setting up a safe and playful environment for children ages four to six can be difficult, if you are a first-time teacher or even coming back from summer again. The trick with setting up the classroom is to make it cute, colorful and efficient, while also making it safe and appealing to learn in. Here are some pointers for setting up your classroom.

Steps

Have something to write on. Many people argue that a chalkboard is more classic and original, but others argue that SmartBoards are more convenient and efficient. Usually, a simple dry erase board is found in a kindergarten classroom, because you can easily write and erase with no traces left, and you can make it colorful for five to six-year-old kids. Whichever you choose, be sure that you have some place to write on so the kids can see it.
- Many teachers have all three in their classrooms. Although it isn't necessary, it is good for when you run out of space on one board, and you can go to the next.
- Consider making a word wall. It helps to make your students know which words are helpful and which they should know by whichever point. It's easy; just type up some words, and print them out as large as possible, and post them on the wall, so that the children can easily read them.
- Have a bulletin board to put up announcements and whatnot.
Include a meeting area. Because they are in kindergarten, you should be sure to have some place where you can meet with them, whether to go over something all together or explain a schedule or field trip. Many teachers have colorful rugs down, or a single low table in the middle.
Have a child's working area. Give assigned seats, and rather than desks, give a homey appeal and give tables. They should be circular or blunt edged rectangular to avoid sharp corners. There should be enough chairs for everyone and a couple extras; metal is preferred rather than wood to avoid multiple replacements, and remember that they must be small because kindergartners are petite.
- Give a source of writing equipment; put cups on tables for either markers or pencils, whichever you prefer their using on a particular assignment (pencil is favored for daily work).
Give each child his or her own space. Many teachers give their children cubbies to put mail, classwork, and letters home. You should also have a place to put coats, backpacks and such; small individual closets are normally most efficient. Each child should have their own coat-hook to avoid confusion.
- Have your own space as a teacher. You should have your own desk and computer in the classroom, which you should be sure the children do not touch.
Hang work and posters around the classroom. Work includes worksheets, art, crafts, etc. Some classrooms hang work from the ceiling. Also have a poster of things like the alphabet, numbers, planets, animals, things that you've been studying that would be a playful and helpful reminder to students and would give visitors an idea of what you are studying.
Consider posting your schedule for the day. Kindergarten schedules typically change every day, but each morning before they come in, you can put each subject in the certain order you'd like, whether by writing it down, or pinning a place card on a bulletin board.
Have a place for books. If your school has a library, this step is not as necessary; just find some place to put books in your classroom and find the most efficient way of organizing them (sorted by title, author's name, author's last name, etc.) If your school does not have a library or a useful one, or perhaps with no good kindergarten books, go shopping and get some clean, sufficient books for your students and set up a little library in your classroom. Books are one of the most important parts of children's education, so be sure that whichever method you choose, there is easy access to a source of novels.
Child proof your classroom. Although kindergarteners are older than preschoolers, a very important part of setting up a proper classroom is making it safe for kids. Make sure that you have a fire extinguisher and first aid kit handy at all times. Be sure that the windows and the blinds are managed safely, about how to open them and will not hit anyone or fall on something; and that the radiator and air-conditioning if you have one works well, etc. Then do the little things, like making sure that the tape dispenser is in a safe place and won't fall on anyone's little hands or toes, that the wires for the computer and smartboard are safely tucked away, and that the cubbies are sanded down so no jagged pieces of wood will splinter in a finger or snag a child's clothing, etc.
- Make sure that your classroom is restocked with what you will need; such as paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizer, etc. Ask parents for generous donations; many are willing to help out! Some schools, school districts or the parent teacher organization (PTO/PTA) will furnish such things.
Design your class programs. Some schools have "mystery reader," where a parent comes in and reads to the class, as their son or daughter beaming with joy, or parent helps with choice time, where their child gets to choose whether they'd like to color, play a game, etc. Whichever you choose, you should be able to do it in your perfectly set-up kindergarten classroom.

Tips

Children love colors. Color-fill your classroom by making a multicolored rug, for example. Mix and match colors for your classroom.
Look around at the other classrooms in the school to get some ideas of setting it up.
You do not have to shop out of your own pocket! Ask for money from your principal or school district, unless you feel like generously shopping yourself. If you are asking for money though, be sure that you only spend what is necessary and maybe a little bit more.
You could make a bulletin board to hang childrens artwork on it.

Warnings

Know the procedures and codes for fire and storm alarms (and lock-downs where everyone locks doors and stays clear of them and the windows, as best they can).
Make sure you have the essentials for a Kindergarten class: first aid kit, phone to call the office, nurse or police, an Epi-Pen, a fire extinguisher, and know who is certified in the Heimlich Maneuver and CPR. Know procedures for special needs such as hypoglycemia, diabetes, mainstreamed special ed students in the regular classroom, etc.

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