10 Ideas for Setting Up a Kindergarten Classroom
Excited? Overwhelmed? Nervous? Thrilled? Setting up a classroom can give you ALL the feels! The good news is that there really isn’t one right or wrong way to do things! I’m sharing 10 Ideas for Setting Up a Kindergarten Classroom that can work with any space!
I designed this classroom for a local teacher who was moving to kindergarten after teaching for a couple decades in intermediate classrooms. She needed a space that was bright, organized, and ready for a class full of sweet kindergarteners! When I first saw the space, it was an empty room with a few tables.
Here are some of the ways I transformed this room!
Kindergarten Classroom Library
When you’re setting up a kindergarten classroom, you definitely want to create a dedicated library space. This classroom already had some open shelving under the windows so it was the perfect spot for books! These colorful plastic book bins make it easy to keep books organized. The librarylabels with real photoshelp kids choose and return books to the correct bin. I used a few picture easels to display popular books and added a lamp and reading poster to finish the space!
Fun Classroom Seating
Choose seating options that work for you and your students! I’m a big fan of flexible seating, but this classroom has more traditional seating at tables!Click hereto see my flexible seating classroom! Even though we opted for tables, it was fun to add a few special seating options! There is a little couch for buddy reading, a stage from Classy Stages, and fun Otto storage stools for small group work!
In a dream world, every kindergarten classroom would have a space for dramatic play. This corner has a kitchen area with table and chairs, a grocery store area with play food, and a pet care area with class pets. This little space is filled with imaginative ideas for children working on communication and organization skills! There are so many benefits to adding a play area to your classroom!
Kindergarten Morning Tubs
Another must have for kindergarten classrooms is morning tubs or hands on center tubs. All of the materials are stored in separate bins so students can easily get them out and quickly clean them up! I added matchinglabels with real photosto the shelves so everything gets put back in the right spot! None of these tubs require worksheets or papers to be to collected by teachers so it’s no prep and mess free!
Kindergarten Classroom Organization
Morning tubs aren’t the only things that need organized in a kindergarten classroom! If you’re teaching young children, you will want lots of bins or baskets! Here’s why: You don’t have time during the day to look for supplies or find missing manipulatives so staying organized is essential. I love using clear bins or colorful bins withphoto labelsso I know exactly where everything is located. This also helps kids clean up supplies in the classroom! This classroom has a great storage closet, but you can also add bins on shelves around your room or in lockers!
Kindergarten Classroom Labels
If you really want your students to help keep your classroom organized, add lots of labels! The words on labels also work as environmental print when students are learning how to read and write! Adding real photos to labels helps children make connections to the text.You can check out ALL of the labels and signs here.
Kindergarten Bulletin Boards
I tried to keep the displays in this classroom minimal and purposeful. I wanted these to be resources that the teacher and student would actually use throughout the day. I added easy to read posters forAlphabet,Numbers,Colors, andShapes.
We also created a word wall using Post-It Easel Pads and letter cards. The teacher can use a marker to add words to the wall all year. The pocket chart holds theCenter Rotation Boardso students know where to go at center time. There is also a blank bulletin board for asound wall, anchor charts or seasonal displays!
Don’t feel pressured to fill up every space! Be intentional with what you add to your classroom!
Kindergarten Calendar Wall
One of the most important displays is the calendar wall! I knew this area would be used every day in the morning and during math! Everything is attached to the front board using magnets or pocket charts so the pieces can easily be moved or changed. Thiscalendar wallhas days and months, weather, days of school, place value, and much more!
Kindergarten Classroom Decor
The finishing touches in your room are like the icing on a cake! I still try to be purposeful, but it’s fun to add a few things that are special to you or your students! I love adding flowers and some greenery to make a classroom look extra inviting. I don’t have a green thumb, so I always go with faux plants. if you’re up for the challenge, real plants are awesome! In this space, I also added a birthday board and a few signs about kindness. You can get the birthday board bulletin board display for freehere. .
Make It Your Own
Of the 10 Ideas for Setting Up a Kindergarten Classroom, this is the most important:
Make it your own!
Choose what works best for you and your students! You will be spending so much time together in this special space, so you want it to be place that you love too!
Setting up your kindergarten classroom is a big job, but it doesn’t need to feel overwhelming! If you like the decor in this classroom, click hereto see it all! You can check a lot of tasks off your to do list by simply printing and posting these resources!
If you’re a new teacher with questions, let us know! If you’re a veteran teacher, please share your knowledge with us! Comment below and let us know what you think about setting up a kindergarten classroom!
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or feelings, but I can provide you with information related to the concepts used in the article "10 Ideas for Setting Up a Kindergarten Classroom."
Kindergarten Classroom Library
When setting up a kindergarten classroom, it's important to create a dedicated library space. This can be done by utilizing open shelving, such as the colorful plastic book bins mentioned in the article. Organizing books with labels and real photos can help children choose and return books to the correct bin. Displaying popular books on picture easels and adding additional elements like lamps and reading posters can enhance the library space.
Fun Classroom Seating
Seating options in a kindergarten classroom should be chosen based on the teacher's preferences and the needs of the students. While the article mentions using more traditional seating options like tables, it also suggests adding special seating options like a couch for buddy reading, a stage for performances, or fun storage stools for small group work. The goal is to create a comfortable and engaging learning environment.
Kindergarten Dramatic Play Area
A kindergarten classroom can benefit from having a designated dramatic play area. This area can include various play scenarios such as a kitchen area with table and chairs, a grocery store area with play food, or a pet care area with class pets. Incorporating imaginative play into the classroom helps children develop communication and organization skills while fostering creativity.
Kindergarten Morning Tubs
Morning tubs or hands-on center tubs are a valuable addition to a kindergarten classroom. These tubs contain materials that are stored in separate bins for easy access and cleanup. It's helpful to label the shelves and bins with real photos to ensure everything is put back in the right spot. Morning tubs provide hands-on learning opportunities without the need for worksheets or papers, making them a convenient and mess-free option for engaging students.
Kindergarten Classroom Organization
Organizational systems are important in a kindergarten classroom. Using bins or baskets to store supplies and materials helps keep everything easily accessible and prevents time wasted searching for items. Clear or colorful bins with photo labels can make it easier for teachers and students to find what they need and facilitate the cleanup process. Storage closets, shelves, or lockers can be utilized to create additional storage space.
Kindergarten Classroom Labels
Labels play a crucial role in keeping a kindergarten classroom organized. They not only help students locate items but also serve as environmental print to support early literacy development. Adding real photos to labels can help children make connections between the written word and the corresponding objects. Labels can be used for various items in the classroom, such as supplies, manipulatives, and areas of the classroom.
Kindergarten Bulletin Boards
Bulletin boards serve as useful resources in a kindergarten classroom. It's important to keep displays minimal and purposeful, focusing on materials that will be utilized throughout the day. Alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes posters can support early learning. Word walls created with Post-It Easel Pads and letter cards can be used to expand vocabulary. Additionally, bulletin boards can be used for center rotation boards, sound walls, anchor charts, or seasonal displays.
Kindergarten Calendar Wall
The calendar wall is an essential display in a kindergarten classroom. It helps students develop an understanding of time, weather, and other concepts. The calendar wall should be interactive and easily customizable. Using magnets or pocket charts to attach the pieces allows for easy movement and changes. Calendar walls typically include days and months, weather charts, days of school, and possibly place value or other mathematical concepts.
Kindergarten Classroom Decor
Decorating the classroom is the final touch that can make the space inviting and personalized. Adding flowers or greenery can create a welcoming atmosphere, and signs about kindness or other positive messages can contribute to a positive classroom culture. Personal touches and items that hold significance for the teacher or students can make the space feel special.
Make It Your Own
The most important aspect of setting up a kindergarten classroom is to make it your own. Every teacher and student are unique, so it's crucial to choose what works best for your teaching style and the needs of your students. Creating a space that you love and feel comfortable in will contribute to a positive and engaging learning environment.
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts and ideas discussed in the article about setting up a kindergarten classroom!
