Above is my classroom floor plan. Most of my students sit at round tables in groups of four. There are a few single desks for students who need single desks to focus. There is also a rectangular table for two students--this is not due to any specific necessity, but rather because we have been given a "hodge podge" of furniture, and that was the table I had for my last two students. Currently, students are expected to write at their seats, as seven and eight year olds need a set space to maintain focus. On occasion, I allow students to write at on clipboards on the rug or in the library if they express the need for a more quiet space to focus. When I confer with students, I usually go to their seats, and kneel quietly by their sides. I have anchor charts hung on every wall and I update them on a regular basis, and I try to group them in a logical way. For example, all reading anchor charts are near the library, all writing anchor charts are on the adjacent wall, and math and science charts are on the opposite walls.
On the writing shelf, I have a variety of writing materials: a basket containing the students' writing folders, red and blue cups with corresponding erasable red and blue pens (for editing and revising), planning and drafting paper, and a number of "silly story starters" flip books for children who can't seem to get started. I also keep real books published by elementary students, and books published by my previous students on this shelf for inspiration. Finally, there are a multitude of writing and coloring utensils.
On the writing shelf, I have a variety of writing materials: a basket containing the students' writing folders, red and blue cups with corresponding erasable red and blue pens (for editing and revising), planning and drafting paper, and a number of "silly story starters" flip books for children who can't seem to get started. I also keep real books published by elementary students, and books published by my previous students on this shelf for inspiration. Finally, there are a multitude of writing and coloring utensils.