My good friend and fellow professional Janeen Bailey totally transformed her classroom this week. One of the questions I ask of educators and personal friends is this: What is the first thing you see when you walk into an elementary classroom... when everyone has gone home? Pause. Desks. While we talk about the death of the desk, the importance of 21st century learning skills, how flexible learning spaces promote learning, teacher centered vs. student-centered classrooms (and the list goes on), I feel it's fair to say that desks are still the main focal point in today's classroom. While this might not present a problem for some, Janeen and I decided to try something different with what we had available to us. Nothing fancy. No bond needed. First, we talked about the importance of a 'home base' - a place students could go and feel it was their 'own' space. This isn't important for all students but I know I like to have a 'base', somewhere I can keep my 'stuff' and go to if I feel like it. We talked about creating a central space that did not consist of desks. We talked about different seating types. Different desk types. And today, I walked in to Janeen's room and saw this. Yes, there are desks. But they aren't in the center of the room looking important.
I urge you all to think about your student desks/tables. Where are they and what message does that send? If you are comfortable with the answer then change nothing. If you are not, talk to Janeen or me. We might have some ideas for you.
6 Comments
Laura
11/3/2014 10:30:56 am
Your modifications using what you have has opened a door and offered opportunities for your students honoring all of them and their differences in learning and personality. Congratulations on taking that step!
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Leann
11/3/2014 10:31:50 am
This is what I felt like when I changed from desks to tables. I only have desks now because the kids voted to have them. I much prefer tables and learning areas.
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Janet Couvillion
11/3/2014 10:37:02 am
It's not about desks or tables it's about the focal point of the room. There are desks in this room yet they are not the first thing you notice. I don't think tables make a difference if they are in the same spot as the desks would have been.
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Lisa Palmer
11/3/2014 11:05:24 am
I witnessed this classroom today. It was so very peaceful and child centered. I would LOVE a consult for my little neck of the woods!
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Kristina Green
11/4/2014 10:53:54 am
I just LOVE what Janeen has done with her classroom!!
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AuthorJanet Couvillion Archives
August 2016
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