5 Classroom Items I'm GLAD I Ditched {5 for Friday}

9/11/2015

Each year I think about and look for inspiration on how to make my classroom arrangement work better for students and our daily flow. Using trial and error, and research-based findings, I've learned that we can live (much better, in fact) without many common classroom items. Read below for a highlight list of my top 5 (for Friday) things I'm glad I've ditched in my room. Check out my Scholastic Top Teaching blog post on the same topic for full details, tips, tricks, and rationale behind my changes!

I'm so excited because SmartBlog on Education hosts a monthly education content award, recognizing content written by educators, for educators that inspires readers to engage, innovate and discuss. My Scholastic Top Teaching blog post, 5 Classroom Items I'm Glad I Ditched, has been chosen as one of the Editor's Choice Content Award winners this month!! As part of this honor, I'll be a featured guest on Education Talk Radio on September 23 @ 11:00 a.m. CST. I hope you'll join me for my first ever RADIO CHAT! WOO HOO!

{CLICK each image below to be taken to the full article to read more details, tips, & tricks!}

#1: MY TRADITIONAL TEACHER DESK

#2: OVERHEAD FLUORESCENT LIGHTING

#3: ONE, CENTRAL, HUGE CARPET

#4: INDIVIDUAL STUDENT DESKS

#5: MULTI-COLORED & PATTERNED, BUSY BULLETIN BOARDS

// TPT //

4 Comments

Liz Pledger link

9/11/2015 12:36:41 pm

This is a great post! I agree with ditching the busy, crazy bulletin boards. I look at some pictures I see on Pinterest. While they are so beautiful and colorful, I know it can be overstimulating for young learners at the same time.

<a href="http://thehappyteachertpt.blogspot.com/">TheHappyTeacher</a>

Lindsey Petlak link

9/12/2015 10:48:59 am

Thanks for reading, Liz! I totally agree with you (and am previously guilty of what I now try to avoid). I thought it wouldn't make a big difference when I first tried it out....BOY WAS I WRONG. I switched mid-year (years ago), and could NOT BELIEVE the calming impact it had on my class. After that...I was hooked. #seeingisbelieving

Sarah link

9/11/2015 06:38:04 pm

I just started at a new school and I share a teeny classroom with another special ed teacher. I had the custodians move up a teacher desk and then immediately take it back out... definitely no room. The other teacher and I share a table instead. I would LOVE to get rid our student desks and get tables, but there's definitely nothing in the budget for new furniture! I totally agree about the lighting. I have these semi-opaque blue covers on the overhead lights and it makes the lighting nice and ambient. Great post!

Sarah
<a href="http://yearsthataskquestions.blogspot.com/">Years That Ask Questions</a>

Lindsey Petlak link

9/12/2015 10:52:16 am

Thanks for reading, Sarah! I currently have a large (older school) classroom, but have typically had TINY ones with up to 30 students in the past. I hear you on the budget for furniture. We had OLD, HUGE, HEAVY student desks for DECADES in this school, and only recently received a grant for executive functioning to fund the purchase of new tables/chairs. We have those blue light covers in some of our classrooms, too! LOVE THEM! I think eventually we are all supposed to get them, but that hasn't happened for my room yet.