Each July, teachers step back into their classrooms to begin the task of turning boxes, stacks, and crates into a learning environment. We gather as a staff to hear this year’s new “Must do’s”. We plan to work smarter. (every teacher already works harder!)
What if it were possible to get a helping hand…from your classroom? Making just a few tweaks in your July classroom setup will make a big difference in your teaching, and in their learning!
Your Classroom Can Teach
You know there are so many ways to decorate your classroom, and spend hours and hours thinking about it. You think about the size, type of seating and desks. The most important factor is your own teaching style. It’s so much fun to decide the colors and theme!
When you get down to the work, constructing the spaces within is where the real magic happens. You spend time designing your teacher corner, and choosing small and large group areas. This year, maybe take it just a step further. Tweak your classroom setup to include Social Studies.
I know this is a big ask– wall real estate is precious. BUT, you will not be sorry. You may even finally check off those Social Studies standards you are always trying to work in.
Setup for Social Studies
The spaces need to be in a place to be seen easily by all students. They need to be accessible, as they will become interactive. Maybe swap out that poster for something that will teach all day every day?
Administrators will be able to see topics covered. Your students will be able to point and ponder. You will help the frames grow and change to reflect their learning. The (small) Big 3 changes are:
- A Timeline
- A Class Constitution
- Pull Down Maps
Timeline for the Ages
There is a space just above your whiteboard that we used to use for the alphabet. With the invention of the wordwall, it is often redundant. Put this space into service as the timeline! You could make it magnetic, or use yarn/string. I backed it with fabric and used wide floor tape. Get creative!
The only rule is that it gets filled in together. If you fill it all up, it will mean nothing to your kids, even if you point to it. Having it front and center will keep your kids constantly connecting the new people and events into the big pucture.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- take a photo of the class on the 1st day. Write the year at the top. Use it as an anchor for today. When you talk about events in history, how far away are they from the photo?
- when you introduce a historical figure, put up a “bookmark” with likeness, birth, and 3 words that show their importance in history
- when reading a book that mentions important events or people in history, go to the timeline and decide together the general points in time
- make sure your timeline goes to 2100, to represent that time does not end. Future is a thing!
Class Constitution
This one is not only useful, it is fun! In September, when you cover Constitution Day, have a class meeting to make a document that covers class rules and goals, using the Preamble as a model. I took the verbs from the US Constitution, and they suggested and voted on the phrases.
It is so important that all students have a chance to be heard on this. Also, don’t force the conversation to go where you think it should. Take as long as you need to make a good product. Here are some ideas:
- Use butcher paper so it can be as long as you need.
- Once perfected, 2 students copied the phrase on a sentence strip. All signed at the bottom.
- display in a central place, low enough for students to read and point. If you can find a place close to the line-up spot, you’re golden!
- tie civics lessons to the document by pointing out the phrase or right you are covering
- refer back to it during class meetings, especially when a behavior issue is being discussed
Maps
There is a concerning trend of taking down the old school class-sized roll down maps. Please do not follow this trend! Studies have shown us that primary students must have hands-on materials to make longterm connections to new learning.
Of Course, the goal is to be able to use digital maps like google. BUT, we have to begin where they are, and not with the end goal. You would never teach cursive in Kindergarten, that would be ridiculous! It will never be developmentally appropriate. Maps are the same. Give them what they need!
Just a few ideas for map use:
- begin study with your state map.
- have one whole week for landforms. Have volunteers point out features while gathered in a group. Then, pull down the projector and show the corresponding photos of that feature.
- Go back and forth with each landform type.
- Human-made features: Use floortape for the major highways in your state. Again, show photos after putting the lines on the map.
- Proceed to the USA map. find landforms not in your state…then to photos.
- When big events happen in the news, go to the map to find location. Use sticky notes with words. leave on map.
First Step
Every good teacher wants to do better this year than they did last year. We learn so much form our students that it changes us for good. (in all the ways that can mean) You don’t have to rethink the entire classroom to make a big impact. A few thoughtful changes can turn simple wall space into a teaching tool that is used every day. Be brave. Make a change!
Thanks for reading this far.! As a bonus, grab a FREE copy of “How Do You Get Home” chart by clicking on the cover to the left.
Have a fruitful classroom setup!
