Before the school year started, I removed the love seat I had had for years, took out the rocking chair and just kept piling in desks! 28 geniuses require A LOT of space, so these "extras" had to go. I purchased 6 ottomans "to replace the cool", but they were pushed against the wall and when they were used, the tight squeeze we all were feeling, would get just a little tighter! All the usable space was overrun by the student desks with attached chairs. These particular desks made group work, and even pair work challenging, as getting out of the desks required acrobatic prowess!
My students struggled to see the SmartBoard, which I use all the time, and there seemed to be no place to go if you liked working in a non-traditional way. The result was a space that made a claustrophobic teacher (me) very anxious and disappointed and many students felt the same way too! I would allow students to work in the empty classroom across the hall, but I hated that they needed to leave to get what they needed...space! I know the benefit of being able to move around, and THIS space was not cutting it! A change was definitely in order!
Classroom Before Metamorphosis
Students were in groups of four, but half of them had their backs to the SmartBoard! We tried pairs, in REALLY long rows of 7 deep, but it made it difficult to see over so many classmates' heads! The "best" seating in the room is at the blue table, which is ALWAYS full!
There is JUST enough space between the groups for me to get around them and NO group gathering spaces at all.
Feeling pretty packed and pressed! Now I know what sardines feel like!
My desk/computer area is also used for one of my students with special needs. There is actually ANOTHER table behind my desk on the only carpeted area in the room, a tiny octagon! About 10-15 students can comfortably sit on this carpet, so it has not been used in this way.
Transformation!
My most important goal was to create a space where students can find a comfortable working space. I started by removing all the desks. I found a large indoor/outdoor carpet at Costco ($99), which will work as my gathering spot. I wanted a creative seating area and decided a black leather futon ($129 Walmart) would be just the thing! I then added 3 adjustable tables ($34 each at Costco) (which can adjust to 3 different heights, I am SO excited!), one other utility table, a round table, and I kept the kidney table. (It's just THAT awesome!) I bought seat cushions ($12.99/cushion at Walmart) for the window seat and the ottomans ($19.99 at Target) are now seats at the tables. I added a few cushions on the floor and I am still looking at purchasing two beanbag chairs and possibly a bistro set. I can hardly wait to see the kids' reaction to this very big change. Hopefully, they will be as excited as I am, because I can see this becoming a far more user-friendly environment and my "classtrophobia" (perfect description from my husband) has decreased already!
Classroom After Metamorphosis
Taking the desks out, I had to find a new storage system. Baskets are holding students' supplies and are easily moved where kids are working.
I LOVE our gathering area and the extra seating that the futon provides. I have a feeling this will be a popular spot! Now EVERYONE can see the SmartBoard!
New window seat cushions help make this a more welcoming space.
I LOVE this table! I eat lunch with different groups here, work with small groups, and kids love this spot! I added a band to one of the chairs to create a built-in fidget!
I have been playing with lighting as well! We have two of these lights and they create an immediately calmer classroom. I am not a fan of fluorescent lights...they often give ME a headache and I know many of my students feel the same way. We use natural lighting as much as possible, in combination with the lamps.
Ottomans as seats...the boys love them!
Wiggle seat for one lucky student!
The room DEFINITELY looks larger! I can hardly wait to have the kids try it out.
Futon works great as a couch or as bench seating...I appreciate the versatility.
To be honest, I am still very nervous to actually USE the new space. I have been very surprised at the number of negative responses I have been getting when I have told people I was getting rid my desks. Concerns over classroom management, test taking and storage have all been raised, and I have definitely had to think about them all as well.
I really think that classroom management will be easier, as students will have greater opportunity to choose the best seating for their learning and for the activity as well. The adjustable tables even allow for students that wish to stand to work to have a comfortable surface to work on. Being able to gather all the students onto the carpet will help them focus on instruction better, because they can see better and the act of gathering is a strong non-verbal cue as well. I encourage discussion and collaboration and I think the changes make that easier.
As far as storage goes, I feel pretty confident that the baskets should work well. My students house most of their supplies in their lockers already, so this should not cause them too much pain...at least I hope not!
Finally, test-taking. I am not a big test giver, but I can't see why students couldn't write tests in this environment. They might even do better because they can sit where they are comfortable! I am sure we can arrange something that will accommodate the few times this might become a challenge.
I have no idea how my students will react to such a drastic change, but I am hoping we become a positive example of thinking outside the box. Colleagues and parents will hopefully see the difference in my students and nothing wins people over better than success! It is difficult to break out of what is comfortable and safe, and it does feel a little scary, but I ask my students to take risks all the time, so I want to model that for them as well. Monday will be a VERY exciting day!
