After getting the new furniture installed, Yosup and I thought about how we would actually move things around for the kinds of learning activities that we’d envisioned. In the process of that discussion, we drew some layouts on the chalkboard.
Below is the default seating arrangements. Not only is it for direct instruction (aka, lecture) but it’s also the most traditional and therefore the easiest for other teachers and counselors who may use the room.
Below is the setup for “small groups with a writing surface” – five groups get whiteboard space and two use the chalkboard.
Seating arrangement “C” is for groupwork without a writing surface. This is generally for work around a worksheet or on their devices with Canvas or doing research to present to the class.
“D” is either for a gallery walk around the writing surfaces, or, if pushed to one wall, it creates floor space for certain demonstrations or other activities. The goal of “D” is maximizing floor space and minimizing the impact of ~25 desks in the room.
The final arrangement uses four folding tables that we acquired as part of the classroom remodel (and the surface of the one teacher’s desk in the room). Generally this is for demonstrations that necessitate surface space.
Coming soon: printed posters to hang on the walls, done by our staff graphic designed, based on our chalkboard sketches above.