High School Classroom Setup

     Well, I have finally caught my breath. Changing schools after having been at the same one for 15 years is not for the faint of heart,  and I am NOT as young as I used to be... but that is beside the point. :)
     I am finally settled in high school and all I can say is: I LOVE IT! Not a little love, but a whole lot of love! Getting up at 4:30 every morning leaves a little to be desired, but after a shower even that is okay. I am excited to share what my room looks like. Those of you who know me, know how important classroom design is in my world. A space that is positive, organized, and respected tends to get more of that back from the students who enter. And let's be honest... I couldn't work in a space that looks like a hoarder paradise anyway. The pictures look a little sparse, but I wanted to leave plenty of space for student made interactive lessons. I have already put a fair amount of that up, but that will be another post. This is just how it started out before they arrived.
    The room itself is small. The smallest, in fact, that I have ever had in 18 years of teaching. When I first saw it I literally teared up. I mean, how would I fit large, EBD bodies in there and not have mayhem? It did have tons of furniture and other stuff (recall: hoarder's paradise?), and that is what I got rid of Day 1. It actually looks a lot bigger now. The kids even said so when they returned.

Yes, I keep my desk like this. I don't like for there to be many opportunities for things to be grabbed, stolen, or thrown.  I teach EBD remember, and some days for my kiddos are harder than others. We work it out, though. 

My favorite motto: How's that workin' for ya?
I mean... if it isn't working, let's fix it!! Am I right?

My little corner of paradise. I don't spend much time here unless it is my planning period. That basket on the top of the filing cabinet is from IKEA for $10. Now who doesn't love some IKEA treasures?

     I have to admit, organization is major when teaching students on IEPs. The paperwork, data collection, Behavior Intervention Plans, FBA data, graded work, supplementals, working files, casemanager notebooks... you get the idea. If I don't let things stack up on my desk, I don't tend to forget or lose them. I also make a new planner and notebook every year. In the notebook I keep lesson plans, summative data on behaviors, schedules, and all that stuff I need to have right at hand. This year's turned out pretty good, I think. I always have a picture of Mr. Wonderful on there. Having that to look at has helped me through some hairy IEP meetings, that's for sure. 

 

      

     Now, like I said - I don't ever expect students to come in all organized and ready to go. I fully believe that we as teachers have to model every expectation. Every expectation. Heaven knows I model appropriate behavior and mutual respect every single moment of the day. Let's be clear...sometimes that involves a great deal of thinking a thought to myself and not saying it out loud, but I digress...  I teach EBD, remember? PS: And I LOVE it! Okay - back to organization....

Remember, have a procedure for everything and if you teach it well enough they will follow it. I wondered if the sharp/not sharp pencils were too elementary school. Oh no - they LOVED it! I have their interactive notebooks here by period (I have first period planning) so they are always easy to access. The black bin on the top shelf is where papers get turned in. The baskets have glue sticks and paper clips/stapler. 

     Some teachers told me not to give them paper, pencils, or whatever else they were going to ask for. Now I ask you this: How the heck am I going to get them to participate if they have no pencil with which to write and/or no paper on which to write on? Work with me, folks! I have made the materials available and it has worked out just fine. Just wait until I do my post on mutual respect. Spoiler Alert: Respect is earned, and that goes for me just as it does for them. Key word: mutual.  Oops.... I digress. Again. 

School Colors: Red, White, Blue
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IKEA frames = Inexpensive JOY

This is my Precept Wall. I got the idea from the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio. If you haven't read it, do so. Now. Simply amazing.

Of course we need some school spirit! I plan to put school news and stuff here. I got this bulletin board for $5 at Marshals. It was marked down from $25 because the back was coming off. Nothing a glue gun didn't fix!

     Well, that is the highlight reel. I have many more to share, but will post again in a few days. I have my management system posted on the cabinet, and I will share that next time. I will also attach the system in case you want to use it. I use a Level System and so far it is working well. Of course, with my students - as with all students - a management system sometimes need to be tweaked and refreshed. But like I said, so far so good.

     I have so much to share already! I am so excited. Please leave comments and share what you have going on as well. I hope your year is off to an amazing start! See you soon, friends. 

Mrs. Beck