Thank you for sharing this process. I am studying to become a teacher and to see an experienced teacher like yourself share your process is VERY helpful to me. So thank you! All these little details help a newbie like me.
Thank you for being real with us! We will be rearranging our room when we go back in August, although I might drag my husband in in July to help me move the big stuff. We often need to make due with what we have and then figure out from there. It is hard if you don't know what you have access to. You are doing great!
For the larger table, I usually put that in front of my teacher desk lengthwise kind of like a sofa table if that makes sense-I keep my materials to hand out there, plus sometimes a turn-in basket. It's nice to just be able to reach over and grab what I need to grade from that table without going across the room. It would also save you some room, I think, and you can push kidney table to the right. I would also put a couple of chairs at that table, even if you rarely use them bc they are nice for visitors and for separating kids who aren't getting along (I teach middle school!). Best of luck to you-I love your videos. I am twice your age and envy your energy! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your journey! I'm returning back this year too. It's a new school so I'm unable to see my room yet since the building isn't completed yet. Anyway, I appreciate that I'm not in this process by myself and that there are other teachers experiencing the same thoughts and emotions as me.
it’s so funny how everyone attacks teaching so differently- lol this level of planning gives me sooo much anxiety. I always just went in and set up in a way that felt right. i was also a minimalist though, so it wasn’t more than a day’s worth of work.
It all depends. During the last month of school since there is testing, I start packing up. Some students volunteer to help so on the last day, all I have to is checkout! This kind of planning is my wheelhouse!
This has nothing to do with the topic of this video, but thank you for turning me onto Caroline Girvan! I was watching your fitness videos and thought I’d give it a try. I’m new to strength training, as I was mostly into walking, dancing and yoga in the past. But I want to get stronger. I’m in her Facebook group now, and going to start one of her programs on Monday! So excited! And I’m going to use your fitness and personal planners to track my progress.
Super excited for classroom vlogs!!! I've literally watched each and every vlog of Michelle. And use most of the templates on TPT😊 #fourthyearteacherhere
Are those the individual trapezoid desks or the larger trapezoid tables? From your plan it seemed like the larger tables. Those configurations on Google looked like they were using the individual desks, so you may not have as much flexibility to do all those cool layouts. Anyway it seems like you know what you're doing - just wanted to call your attention to that small detail in case you didn't notice :) I'm so excited for you that you're teaching again!
Okay I love how you are organizing because my brain works this way too. I can’t see my classroom until the end of July and I found out I am in a trailer so I have no clue what it looks like and it is giving me anxiety🤦🏻♀️ Trying to catch sales and buy what I think I may need because like you starting all over again and I gave all of my things away! Looking forward to your next videos.
Same! I haven't seen my classroom and when I inquired about things like grade level and class size (I'm teaching SPED Autism) the principal didn't know any specifics yet. I love to plan so it's killing me!! Lol. Like you, I'm trying to just think ahead and look for deals for things I know I'll need/want!
I have a process that I like to call "dwelling". I sit in the new classroom and just feel the energy. I imagine the students being there and how they move through the room during the day. As a new teacher( back in the 1990s before the internet, really), I was trained to think about the kids' visibility, accessibility, and distractability(V A.D.). I ask myself: How will I set up the desks/tables where every child can see the main board? How do I arrange the furniture so there are clear flow patterns that don't cause a bottle neck? Where do I put the seats so the students won't be distracted by the windows or the door? Where will I put materials so that students have access to them without my help? Where do I put my small group table so that I can still see every student while I'm teaching? Where should I put my teacher area so that it doesn't take up a lot of real estate but works for me? At my current school, we have paraprofessionals, and they have to have a teaching area because they work with groups, too. There's so much to consider.
As someone who's still only a few years into this field, it's so helpful to hear how a veteran teacher thinks through these things. Also nice to know my practical side is thinking of how would actually work over aesthetics. Enjoy your meeting!
Always enjoy your thinking process. I’m not scheduled to leave or move, but it’s always good to reassess/rethink and I always get good “take aways” from your videos. Thank you for documenting your journey. I pick up something useful every time! 😊
Hi Michelle, I’m exactly where you’re at. I am teaching fifth grade. I transferred from one school to a sister school, which is closer to home. I went from 4th to 5th . I’m already organizing and trying to figure out. my classroom. I went shopping today and I got some good purchases. I was at Michael’s today and got a Rolly cart for $30 which is pretty amazing. I also got the photo container that I’m gonna use for my markers originally 4199. I got them for 1499 . I went to HomeGoods and got some cute organizers and they were all on sale too. I am getting myself ready for the new year. We start the first week in August in Florida. Just wanted to share with you what I’ve been doing,. Thank you for this video we have a lot in common. I love your ideas and your inspiration. I’ve been teaching for 15 years and you’re kind of like my go to for setting up my classroom and I also got that black and white striped box that you have your markers in for four dollars at Michaels.
Eureka comes with a lot of materials (each kid will have 3 books at a time, which means 2 class sets of books) and in 2nd we had 8 modules. Just thinking of where your switch class will keep their math books. Something I had to figure out last year! You will love it! I’m so excited for your journey!!
Totally love the insight and brain dump! I can totally understand the anxiety of planning a new classroom! I’m planning my friend’s classroom who will be a first year teacher. She and I have more questions than answers which is fine because someone I know very well said “a classroom is never done”! You have handled your setup methodically and you have room for error which is smart
I just retired, so this is the first year in 31 years that I am not planning for the fall. I like your thinking with zones. See if you can count ceiling tile or floor tiles to estimate the size. Floor tiles are usually one foot on each side and ceiling tiles are 2 feet square or 2 feet by 4 feet.
I admire how you specifically pre-plan for and organize your room down to the closets and drawers. I just have a general thought of where I'll put things and hope for the best. 😄
I am so glad you are posting videos about going back into teaching again. I love these types of videos from you! Thanks for sharing your journey back into the classroom with us. Excited for your weekly teaching vlogs to come back. 🎉
LOVE that you went back into the classroom. You are my new "go-to" as I'm about to face all of these things in the near future. I like the fact that you are experienced and going back in. A lot different content from those "wide-eyed" newbie content creators who haven't been in the trenches. Ha! Not knocking the newbie teacher of course as I will be one but I have 20 years experience directing children's theater within an elementary school setting. I like to watch people who are experienced and have tricks of the trade to share. Beat wishes for a wonderful new year and new chapter!
I am not a teacher but I first found you when I was homeschooling my son and I cannot tell you how helpful your videos were for me! He has since graduated and I still love your videos 😊
I loved the trapezoid students desks, because you can configure them in so many different ways. My favorite was making a large U shape by placing the sides of the desks together with one turned in and the next out. The students knew who their elbow buddy, group of four, six, and eight were depending on the type of activity we were performing. I like flexible groups! The only drawback to this are the desks that have the students’ backs facing the teaching area in the middle. My students quickly adapted by turning their chairs to the front and using a clipboard if needed. It was so great during independent work when I could easily check everyone’s progress with a quick trip around the inside of the U.
In one classroom I put the teacher zone in the back (the Smart board was in the "front") and then all my student desks were close to the board/teaching area. Maybe that would work with your awkward tables? rectangles are easier!
I did this as well.. 😅😂 I plan the first week.. the second onwards, will be based rotation.. so the seats general shape look the same.. just the kids move..
I'm just a new teachers aide. But why not move the library where your desk is and thst way you are closer to the big shelf and the kiddos will have natural light for reading.
I have trapezoid desks in my classroom too. They are so hard to piece together but can’t wait to see what you do! I’m just very excited to see your journey. I’m a 4th Grade Math and Science teacher in Texas too!!
The trapezoid tables are difficult to place if they are designed for a single student, which is how ours were. They recently replaced our desk so now we have the more traditional designs. I am lucky in that I was able to choose my searing and I chose to have round tables that seat 6. I love it!
The chart...the closest a hot mess(😂). You're eye for details and organization have always been a highlight for me. Looking forward to the upcoming school year.
Thanks for sharing your thought process! I'm finally NOT moving classrooms this next year, but I am trying to figure out a new classroom layout around our new interactive panels! We've totally got this though .
I love love love your planning videos. This reminds me a lot of the video you did when you were planning out your home office! I’m thinking of converting either part of my basement or my garage into a gym (we don’t use our garages for cars where I am from!) and this video gave me a great starting point on how to go about that! I’m having so much fun watching all of your surprise videos. Thank you for continuing to work so hard for your followers!
Hi there! I loved a video you made two years ago about how to create a daily, weekly or monthly schedule. Your example was for the school year. Wondering if you created one for summer time and how that might look for you. I am sure that you stay super organized to be productive, even in the summer. LOL! Thanks!
So i decided to purchase your digital planner for my birthday gift to myself. Lol. I love doing things with paper and pencil but i think the convenience of digital and cloud storage will help me stay organized this school year. I'm jumping into the world of SPED Autism and haven't seen my classroom or been given any specifics yet (its a brand new classroom so I'm not sure if they have any specifics to give yet!) so this gives me something to focus on. I am a micro planner like you. It eases my anxiety when i have a plan even if i don't get to follow much of it! 😂
I've been using large rectangular tables for student 'desks' (you can typically fit 4 to each) but they take up so much room and my class will be larger this year. I love the idea of either round or the hexagonal tables. Also, not sure if you use them or not, but you may need to find space for a class set of dictionaries. Outdated, maybe, but I still have a class set of them. Just a thought. Also, if you use data binders, perhaps you'll need a place to store them, as well. Thanks so much for sharing your thought process. I usually go in, see the mess of stuff that was pushed up against one wall so our maintenance crew can easily clean over the summer, and then do 'nothing'. I sit at my desk and start to envision where I want things. I make sketches on paper and then I go home. The next day, I get down to work. This, of course, is when I am in the same classroom for that year. Good luck setting up for next year!
Thanks so much for this video! I'm the elementary librarian at my school, and I just got moved to another room (we don't have a dedicated library). It's a mess right now, but like you, I'm trying to map out everything and weed things. I have to teach lessons for each grade level so it gets pretty overwhelming since I plan for teaching space and all the books in such a small area. Watching your videos provides relief in knowing it will get done some way, some how. 😊 Good luck this SY, and enjoy being back with the kiddos!! Congrats on the new position! 🫶🏼🎉
You are inspiring and every day I learn something from you which I love. btw, I need to help you with a scale so your brainstorming is more focused lol. BUT in all fairness, you don't have the measurements of things yet. Keep up the good work!
This was a great video! I totally understand wanting to get things planned out. It would be running around in my head, too. Actually, I have been thinking of changing a couple of things my classroom. It makes sense to want to put it down on “paper”. Also, your digital classroom planner could be used for home. It would be great for planning out a bedroom space, kitchen, or garage. Thank you for all of your wonderful TPT resources and all of your other resources. Congratulations on your teaching position! 🥰
Wow I thought I was the only one going through this. I had to move schools in classrooms. I also was able took pictures just like you of my classroom. I can’t get in till late July, and just like you figure out what I’m gonna do with a smaller space.. So many possibilities ❤❤ I am blessed by this video ❤ thank you.
Thank you for sharing! Very helpful to see your process. One thought I had for you: You are teaching math/science this year, so maybe a classroom library will not be necessary.
I have to take three recertification tests, myself science, social studies, and Reading . What do you recommend the FTCE for me because I’m in Florida or something else going to the state website I’ll be praying for you. Please pray for me.
I arranged my trapezoid desks in "theater" type seating for classroom management purposes. I was still able to have them in groups, but had all the kids facing the front this way. I had one round table in the front/middle for the kids who needed more one on one during instruction from me.
Michelle, I love this video so much!! I will be going through the process of setting up my classroom in my new school this year, too. I love how you used your digital format to easily move around the elements in your classroom. I think it would be really helpful if you wanted to change the setup each quarter or at the end of the year. Thank you, as always, for sharing! 💜
I hope this isn't a silly question, but I've never been at an elementary school where teachers only teach a couple of subjects. If you're teaching math and science, why do you need a classroom library and indoor recess materials? Or do you have a homeroom group of students that those materials would be for?
I am moving to a new grade and classroom. It is my 9th class move in 7 years. I had to map it out before the room was cleaned. When I go back it will be set up.
love this video and gave me lots of things to think about as I am able to get into my classroom before actual teacher workdays start! definitely thinking minimal is best this year. I don't need all the foofoo stuff anymore!
Just to give you a heads up that a lot of storage bins don’t fit in the upper cabinets. I’ve had to turn mine to the side in some of those very shallow cabinets. Love your videos!!
Hi Michelle! I have trapezoid tables in my classroom as well but for first graders. With my first graders, I can sit 4 per table with your tables aligned long side. I’m thinking with your fourth graders, it might be a tight squeeze to sit 6 at a time. So happy for you and love following you on your journey! 😊
I was also going to say… I’ve used trapezoid tables for the last 5 years. I find that 4 students fit better than six. This gives each some elbow room. Also, I love your videos! Thanks for sharing!
I am amazed at how much you can plan with just pictures. Great job and great ideas. I dont have an actual clasrom since I'm an itinerant teacher, but I still love your ideas ! ❤
My classroom sucks! There is no storage, and my smart board is fixed to the wall. It's also pretty small. I have tried so many configurations and it feels like nothing works!
I'm a little bummed to see so many classroom setup videos out there already. I realize yours is planning, and I understand it's a whole "new" for you, but it all seems to cut into my summer vacay. Perhaps I should go the way of a social media diet because I'm a firm believer in "if you don't like what's on, don't watch it." I don't know how much willpower I'll have to stay off social media, 🫣🫣🫣 but it's definitely a consideration. 🤔🤔🤔
It’s hard because different states and districts start and end at different times so while some teachers may be just starting their summer break, some are already at the tail end of it. Ultimately, you get to decide the content you consume so if you don’t want to watch those types of videos, you can choose not to. But it shouldn’t stop the creators from posting that type of content because for some viewers, it’s relevant and what they want to see.
I think if teachers take half the summer for 2 hours per day to plan, your school year will be so much more less stressed and it is easier to plan without the pressure from admin and students. Clearer minds. Thanks so much for these resources.
@@PocketfulofPrimary ...don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the videos, I eat 'em up all the time. It just seems so soon this year, and I'm not mentally nor emotionally prepared for it this year. But, as you said, thankfully I still have a choice of what to watch. And obviously I'm gonna have to latch on to something else because I didn't even make it to tomorrow before I'm back here. 🤣🤪🤣 Enjoy your weekend, and welcome to teaching in Texas!
