Today's Setup: The Small Group Area
The Small Group Area may be one of the easiest places to get
setup. In my room this consists of a
kidney shaped tables and chairs.
Told you it was easy!
Okay, okay…I know what you are thinking! It really isn’t that simple—well it sort of
is—but I know you didn’t come here just to read get a table and chairs! Honestly, yes the majority of my small group
teaching is done at the kidney table.
Last year, I didn’t get the kidney table until the end of the year and I
am so thankful to start this year out with one.
Most of last year, I used tables grouped in fours, but that took up so
much room in my small space and I also didn’t like that I could be with all of
my kids at once. I felt like I spent a
lot of time standing in front of them teaching instead of being “right in there
with them.” Hence the reason I love a
kidney or U-shaped table. I can be
within arms reach of all of my kids at one time and feel like I am right in the
middle of their learning (and well literally I am!) Many times at the small group area, I am
teaching some sort of scripted intervention, leading a guided reading group or
leading a math intervention group and for these reasons there are certain tools
I like to have very near to me.
Here is a picture of the table. Please keep in mind I just got back in my room today, so what you are seeing is a work in progress.
The table is only one area of small group learning in my
small space. I also like to have another
space used to small group instruction.
This gives my kids an opportunity for movement, allows for natural
transition from one part of a lesson to another, and helps with
engagement. My second small group area centers around the pocket chart/stand. This is where our vocabulary instruction takes place. I haven't decided on whether or not to move this stand to another spot in the room yet. I would like to have it near some carpet for some comfy seating, but the room size doesn't really allow for that at this point.
Speaking of where things go, here's a tip! I like to use PowerPoint to come up with a model of my room and the furniture in my room. I can manipulate and move the pieces around without actually lifting any furniture! So perfect! :)
Key:
Blue: Permanent/Cannot be Moved
Gray: Desks or shelves that can be moved
I hope you find something here that inspires you or you get a good idea!
Tomorrow I will be back with more classroom setup idea!
