Here is how I set up my self-contained classroom in an elementary school. I primarily taught grades 1-4 with about 6 students and 2-3 paraprofessionals. Dividers and boundaries are crucial in the classroom! I always begin with setting up my group table in the center of the classroom facing the Smartboard. This provides optimal seating for engagement and reduces distractions. It also allows students to interact and participate. Then, I move onto my favorite part of the classroom… centers!
Blue Center
I set up my center facing all the other centers so that I had a view of all my students. I keep the essential materials I need on my table for easy access. You will see in the photo I have a bin for students’ IEP goals, where each student has a binder with data in it, a bin for VBMAPP lessons with data, and a bin for STAR lessons and data. These are the curricula/assessments we use in my district!
Yellow Center
Here is one of my paraprofessional led centers. I primarily have students working from the Unique Learning System curriculum at this center. It also doubles as a related service provider center. My SLP loved this spot, so she would take over with her materials on days she pushed in for centers!
Green Center
Here is another paraprofessional led center. I set up the bookshelves to double as storage for materials and to divide the space up in between centers. Each student has an IEP bin that contains their individualized materials and data sheets. Reinforcement bins are located on the table so that students are immediately reinforced for positive behaviors. There are also toys to the left for when my social worker pushes in and takes over this center.
Red Center
Next up, independent work! I try to alternate a teacher/para led center with an independent work center in between. Students rotate from my center to their independent work center. Each student has a strip set up with their tasks. They complete the bins from the left and place in the all done laundry basket when finished. There are puzzles as reinforcement for students to complete when they are finished with all their tasks.
Orange Center
Here is another one of my independent work centers and probably my favorite one! I have my masters in Reading Specialist, so I am very passionate about all students reading! I call this center my adapted books center. I differentiate based on student level, so some books students may have errorless matching in their book, others may be identical or non-identical matching, some may be matching words to the picture, or students may be matching sentences to the picture. This center works the same as my independent task bins center. Students each have a name strip with their tasks, grab the books from the left and place in the basket on the right when completed.
Structure and boundaries are the most important part to setting up your classroom! It’s crucial to teach schedules and routines so students know what is expected of them and where they need to go for different parts of instruction. You can use visual schedules for each student to teach the routines.
If you want to learn more about setting centers up in your classroom, check out our How To Decide What to Include in Centers blog!
