The advantages of a u-shaped classroom

Transcription:

My favorite way to arrange the furniture in a classroom is in a U shape. With the desks in a U shape, that permits a great big classroom rug to be put inside, and it opens up a great deal of space. Also, when the desks are in a U shape, all the kids can face one another and see one another and it builds a wonderful sense of class community. When the kids are sitting at tables, and the kids have their backs to one another, it's very hard to do any kind of whole class sharing because some kids have to keep turning around. It doesn't permit the same kind of classroom community environment that the U shape allows, in their own desks, with that U shape. Then, when I do my classroom instruction, most of my classroom instruction is done when the kids are sitting on their own carpet squares. It's very easy for them to get up from their rugs and go back to their desks, so they are not sitting in one place for the whole day.

Video Categories: ELEMENTARY, Elementary Education

Learn about: The advantages of a u-shaped classroom from Steve Reifman,...

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Expert Bio

Steve Reifman

Teacher, Author & Speaker

Steve Reifman is a National Board Certified elementary school teacher, author, and speaker in Santa Monica, CA. He has written several resource books for educators and parents, including Changing Kids’ Lives One Quote at a Time, Eight Essentials for Empowered Teaching and Learning, K-8, and Rock It! In addition, Steve has created a series of shorter, e-book resources for educators, including The First 10 Minutes: A Classroom Morning Routine that Reaches and Teaches the Whole Child, The First 30 Days: Start Your School Year with 4 Priorities in Mind, and 2-Minute Biographies for Kids: Inspirational Success Stories About 19 Famous People and the Importance of Education. He is also the creator of the Chase Manning Mystery Series for children 8-12 years of age. For Teaching Tips, articles, and other valuable resources and strategies on teaching the whole child, visit and subscribe at stevereifman.com. subscribe to his “Teaching Kids” YouTube channel, check out his two professional development courses for educators on Udemy.com, and visit his Teachers Pay Teachers page.