Do you teach Pre-K or ECSE? Are you teaching in a blended or self contained classroom this year?
I’m an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher teaching in a blended classroom. This means that I co-teach with a General Education Teacher. In this classroom, there are four adults, two teacher and 2 assistant/paraprofessional.
My co-teacher had a theme in mind and it turned out wonderful. Keep scrolling to see how we set up our co-teach Pre-K classroom.
Whole Group Area
Our carpet area is where we meet for whole group. Here we watch announcements, sing our family song, teach our lessons and so much more! What I really love about this area is the amazing smart board and beautiful new carpet. #TeacherPriorities
I cannot take credit for this amazing picture schedule. My co-teacher took real time photos of the areas in our room we use the most and created out visual schedule with it. I love that in Pre-K we have so many visuals and accommodations already included in our curriculum. It most definitely makes this Special Education Teachers life just a tad bit easier.
Above you see our color coded small group set up. Matching bins are on a counter where it is easily accessible for the teacher to grab. In the photo, also see song board, more visuals and where we put our objectives. Additionally, my desk and “all about the teacher’ bulletin in included above. As we all know, pre-k teachers don’t really sit, it is really there for after school and planning. My co-teacher has a desk as well right next to mine.
Teacher’s Workspace
My work space. I’m only ever at my desk during nap (sometimes), planning and after school.
Calm Area
Our cool down area, or calm area in our classroom. This area is optional and only offered to students that seem like they need a break or are overwhelmed. In fact, whenever a student is I will sit with them and provide the student with visuals or tools to help he or she explain their emotions at the moment and really self regulate. This area has so many resources for the students. For example, we have sensory items, stuffed animals for comfort, visuals for describing emotions, visuals for how to regulate that specific emotions (feeling buddies) and truly so much more.
Dramatic Play/Centers
Playing is so much fun in pre-k! The students love the dramatic play area. My teacher assistant did an amazing job with the window. Ideally, we have about 4-5 students here at one time. Right now, we do not have a lot of kitchen toys and accessories out because we are still learning center rules and expectations. I also have a dollhouse, car garage and other fun dramatic play centers open.
You can read more about teaching routines on the first day here.
Our beautiful reading area! One of my favorite areas in the classroom. The school I’m at this year is brand new so we’re extremely lucky to have a new modern furniture and an awesome reading nook. This is a part of our centers. Students always choose which center they want to go to and can stay however long they’d like ( during our center time of of course). The students are really into “Pete the Cat” and “Brown Bear, Brown Bear”.
Little chairs, little tables and cute little toilets. The tables are color coded and are used as centers and for small groups. The kidney table is used as a writing center and doubles a small group as needed.
Although, this is a blended co-teach classroom, the only thing my partner and I have that’s separate is our desk areas. Everything else is shared evenly by both teachers. The students see us both as the teachers, not just one as being the main. Our classroom reflects that.
II cannot wait to see how my classroom looks in a few months! I know that with student work samples, artwork and student pictures up on the walls, the room will look amazing!
Any other part of my classroom you want to see? Small group area/bins? IEP bins and work space? I feel like there is so much more! Let me know below if you want to see more specifics!
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