As I am preparing my classroom for a new school year, I am constantly being mindful of the focus my principal has impressed upon our staff - environment, Environment, ENVIRONMENT! Being moved to a new classroom has really helped in creating a more "student-centered" middle school classroom rather than a "teacher-centered" one.
I started with student workspace - large group meeting area, small group work, and areas for individuals to focus. What I found as I streamlined with my seventh and eighth graders in mind, is that there really isn't room or a place for my desk to be front and center. In the past, that is always where I started - "Where was the best place to put my desk?" - and go from there.
I have to admit I had two desks from which I worked from: a large one in the back that housed the document camera, laptop, printer, and speakers and a smaller one in the front facing students that I placed my lesson plans and other materials I taught with on.
The problem is I found that I spent too much time sitting behind them and making excuses for doing it. My goal this year is to not sit once while I have students in the room. I know I may not do it perfectly but I am going to give it my best attempt. A tip that was shared with me is... when your legs start to burn from crouching down conferencing with one or a group of students, it's time to move on to the the next one.
