When I began the year, I left two bookshelf alone to house the decorative textbooks that we would rarely use. I then organized a classroom bookshelf where students could check out books that they might not find in the library (too controversial, at too high of a level, too obscure) as well as books that were so popular in the library that students were having to add their names to a list.
I also created enrichment centers where students could sift through primary sources (photographs from the 1870's, stock notes from the 1920's, letters from both of the world wars), work on an art enrichment project or use work on a collective design project.
I noticed that the students at the enrichment tables were standing instead of using the chairs and that students weren't using the bookshelves as much as I had hoped. So, here's what I tried:
1. I took the textbooks out of the bookshelves and placed them in the student desks. This allowed instant access in the rare occasion when we would use a textbook. It also reinforced the idea of a textbook as a student resource available when they need extra support.
2. I placed the books from the student bookshelf on various forward-facing displays. Somehow seeing the front cover made a huge difference. The cover design didn't make a huge difference, either. Ender's Game went viral despite its bland cover.
3. I turned the bookshelves into standing centers. This freed up additional classroom space and gave students the permission to stand up while they worked.
I wonder how many other classrooms have adapted to many student's need to work standing up. It was not as noticeable in this last year's class. My students had frequent opportunities to work standing or in alternative positions. The year before, when I first introduced a standing table and encouraged students to work at a counter, it was more noticeable. That year I had desks in rows (most of the time) and the standing table users stood out as an exception.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic idea, and I can totally share your appreciation. I used to teach in the trailers, and you know space is limited. We had no bookshelves or centers and two teeny tiny closets and some cubbies that seem to be meant for the little ones. The traditional classroom stuff was on the walls, but after that, any and all available space was made to a variety of books and magazines that kids otherwise could not find in the library.
ReplyDeleteIt is just a fun thing to do. I never announced it. I just started putting stuff around the room and was surprised by what caught the students attention and what they asked to read during their free time. Middle school kids are an odd sort, and there was a nice odd variety of topics to be found in the room. It is one of those pleasant teachable moments that remind us why we became teachers in the first place.
As for standing, in the trailers, it was hard to do. They finally moved us in the building, and I had actual lab tables and space. A few kids just naturally stood up because they had a hard time sitting still. I just went with it. They didn't disrupt anyone or block anyone's view. It was just what worked for them and I don't have a problem with that and often encouraged students to do the same.
A couple of years ago I changed things in my first grade classroom so that I've got one table low down on the floor where kids can sit on the floor, one regular table with chairs, and one high table where they can stand. Plus we've got a few small tables for one or two kids at a time.
ReplyDeleteI've loved it and so have the kids. They don't have assigned seats - they work wherever they want at any given time. I also noticed it means they've taken over parts of the classroom that previous groups never really touched. They consider the whole place 'their space.' It's awesome.
By the way, it was lovely to meet you at ISTE.
Hey John, I'm interested in this idea. Do you happen to have a photo of the converted book shelves. I'm starting again from scratch this fall and I'm intrigued by this.
ReplyDeleteDear Alan,
ReplyDeleteI still have a hard time incorporating freedom of movement. It's a journey for me.
Dear Underground Teacher,
I love your idea of using all the space to make those things available. Graphic novels, magazines and "Bluford High" books were often the stepping stones toward increased fluency in my classroom.
Dear Jenny,
I love that idea. I think middle school teachers could learn a lot from primary grade teachers in terms of space and climate.
Dear Philip,
I wish I had pictures. I don't. It never occurred to me to take pictures of this.
Just catching up on some reading, so a late response... but yes, I totally agree. I teach in a newer school and one whole wall is a counter with windows. Usually I have my classroom library in buckets, in display at one end. I hate clutter so the only other materials on the counter were project based, nothing else really lived there. Then last year I plugged in a power bar to have a student charging station. and it grew from there. Students chose to stand up an work at the counter all the time, whether they needed to plug in a laptop or not. I will certainly be letting this evolve this year, as well.
ReplyDelete