CLASSROOM SETUP! - Day 3

[@graceprunier6304]

You should do a first day of school get ready with me (teacher edition)

[@sararf1021]

Maybe for the broken board of the shelving unit: You could wrap it in contact paper, fabric or wrapping paper and place it in the middle of the other two bookcases to create some symmetry. Just a thought!

[@kristinasarti5079]

I would do al the desk in groups of two because if they need too they can turn their desk especially if you know they will be in groups for days. I would put tape down to make where the left leg of each desk goes

[@ImMo1256]

I would be careful with the tape idea.. we were not allowed to put tape down

[@kristinasarti5079]

ImMo1256 I would think painters tape would be fine or Velcro dots would be great too

[@ImMo1256]

@@kristinasarti5079 We aren't allowed anything. Even that.

[@sadieolsen331]

Set up videos are my favorite! 😊 Those desks are interesting though, never seen them before.

[@Ashley-di8lb]

Sadie Foote They built a new high school in my area and they have these new desks as a test group to see if the rest of the district will use them. I personally don’t like them at all, and I don’t see how any kid middle school & up has any space to do anything.

[@erinreed8750]

I have those desks (without the trays underneath) at my school. I put them in groups of 4 because it fits within the rooms that we have and allows me to walk around and work with the kids. I try and angle the desks so that the kids don't have their backs to the boards, keeping them split down the middle so there are two kids on each side (more of a square than a diamond, if that makes sense). Some teachers in my school only put 3 together to combat the issue of kids not facing the board. Also, I would stagger the groups so they don't block another group from seeing the board. My students really like the groups because they can collaborate with their classmates on assignments and ask them questions (creates independent learners) and not rely on me so much. They can either be in pairs or small groups this way. If we do debates or anything like that, I put them into rows for larger groups. They're definitely more challenging than square desks, but the kids seem to really like them. Good luck with your setup and year!!

[@yamilethgonzalez8317]

You should make long rows 🤔 Ex. 🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻 🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻

[@Kxshvlogs]

That's a great idea

[@mkennedy6405]

Do a google image search for “boomerang desk arrangements.”

[@michellenicole2807]

I teach 6th grade out in Boston MA! I would keep a variety with the desks because you'll quickly find out that certain kids do better in groups, while others need to only be responsible for talking to one partner. Maybe move the set of two in the third row into the middle so that the pairs of desks are all in one half of the room. :)

[@OhKaylaMariah]

YAY! As a teacher myself and heading into my second year my motto and approach to everything is “progress is progress, no matter how small!” Great job so far 💕

[@joannas8020]

As a former 6th grade student, I find that variety is better with seating especially if middle school is separate from elementary school, kids try to meet new friends. Keep in mind for seating arrangements the unfortunate thought of cheating on tests and quizzes. It is a bit easier to stop wandering eyes with a single divider for a group of two, but that’s always your choice. As for the back of the bookcase, I was thinking just a thick foam poster board which usually come in black or white. It looks from the video like it would fit and it is sturdy enough. Just a thought!!

[@tjc8697]

set-up videos are so therapeutic to watch..lol! you're so lucky that you have access to your classroom so early in the summer...I had to turn in the keys and wait until probably 2 weeks before school starts to set up.

[@helenavand7723]

What about the groups of 4 but just take one of them out? I don't think anyone's back is to the board like that...

[@EarlyEDventures]

That is great in theory, but there will be 30 kids, so they all need a seat...

[@hannahNmorgan]

Early EDventures with this setup mentioned you could do 10 of the 3 groups

[@melissabrod6925]

Groups with 3 desks was my personal favorite when I had these. (set up like groups of four with one desk missing) no ones back was ever to the board that way, and students could still collaborate. With groups of two we were constantly tripping over chairs

[@jbollman8]

I have seen them this way and was going to suggest this.

[@samanthamueller6192]

I'm a HS math teacher and I have those desks and I had SO many different seating charts last year trying to come up with the best method. I really think it depends on your students. I did the pods of 4 (star or diagonal whatever worked so they could see the board), I did the doubles in rows (rows with 2 attached like you had), I did a combination of those, I did the one you had with the 3 facing each other in with long columns of 8 desks, and the last one that I had for the last maybe 3 months was a U/W shaped design (with a break in the middle of the U for me to get into), I maneuvered myself. I'm not sure how much space you actually have if that would work, but I really enjoyed the U so I could move around and get to everyone easier. I could send you a picture of it, it's really hard to explain with the darn curve!! On the left and right I had 6 desks (2 desks would have their flat parts touching then the next 2 would, etc.), in 2's facing inwardish, then 3 coming off the left and right at the bottom facing forward to come form the bottom of the U. Then inside of the U I had 2 rows with 4 desks across, so that all of my kiddos had seats. l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l So think of the lines above as the desks, something like that! Hope that makes sense and maybe helps! Thanks for your classroom videos, I am moving classrooms this year too and trying to figure out what I can do! Today was my first day able to get into the room and begin the organizing process!

[@Oliveyourmoney]

I like the groups of two and they can turn around to make a group of four when needed.

[@jenxbobaplaysroblox4475]

I never had those but I really like the star shaped ones

[@roofuspantsx2]

I did pods of three when I had those desks. I turned them so backs weren't towards me, but it gave me a spot to squat when a group was struggling. I did this with fifth and sixth grade math. It worked well.

[@jessicao9765]

We got those desks last year and we all despise them at our school. With that group of three style, the last arrangement you showed, I did that but made 3 long rows of about 9 drakes then the 10th desk was facing forward.

[@mrsmagicalmonica]

I teach high school & have triangle desks. Mine do not have the compartment though. I have five high top triangle desks & chairs too. The good thing is that the chairs are free standing so students can face any way they need. Love the desks for grouping and pairs but testing is a little tricky.

[@Soccerroxz10]

Love how fast you are able to get this series up! I know it’s a lot of work but it is a lot of fun to see how your classroom evolves from start to finish.

[@lindsrolly]

I have these EXACT same ones in my classroom that is super small and am literally in the same struggle!!! I'm going to play around with the ones in my classroom tomorrow and I'll let you know if I think of anything and am looking forward to seeing how you set yours up!! So happy I saw this video today and know I am not the only one!

[@toasty_mcghosty]

we do the desks in groups of 3. It’s similar to the desks of 4, but the desk in the front is missing so no kid’s back is facing the board. also, during tests or quizzes, we turn all the desks forward so the point is towards one way.

[@kelseybreesmith3761]

We have similar triangle desks at my school. They’re not ideal. Some teachers use them in large groups (7-8 desks per group). I like to call them boats. They are oriented perpendicular to the board so all kids are sideways to the board with some facing left and some facing right. Good luck!

[@valerieallen9756]

I like the desk arrangement with the three desks!!

[@jenn112871]

I was so excited about the Day 3 video. I loved watching it and I would probably Google how to arrange those kinds of desks. Can’t wait to see your bulletin boards! What kind of assessments do you do for Language Arts and Math at the beginning of the year?

[@drekamesha1944]

I'm enjoying these videos so much. New subscribers. As a parent I love to see teachers that put in effort and genuinely care for our kids. Thank You!!!!

[@joannataylor3915]

I had these when I was in middle school. I'm a freshman now and one thing that worked best was groups of two, in which we could turn around for partner work. The teacher was able to see everyone's face and what was going on. I hope this helps! You'll be a great 6th grade teacher. Good luck!

[@melissap.9548]

Wow, 29 kids is a lot! That must make it even harder to set up desks. I feel for you!

[@danieladaniela9195]

in my school, there are 50 a class and one teacher. just letting you know.

[@ellaroberts2336]

I had similar desks at school and they were put in like a semi circle so you get groups of 3 and all face the front, but its easier to do team work stuff

[@8foa]

Thank you so much for sharing your setup! I just graduated and got my first teaching job! I saw my classroom for the first time on Monday and am so overwhelmed! The teacher in there before me has so many piles laying around and I don't know what to do! Also, we are all getting all new furniture, and that's not in/assembled yet, so I'm stuck! Thanks for showing how you deal with the madness!

[@BekBuilds]

I have those desks in my room and I set them up as a U shape. Hard to explain without a picture, but I have a side row with 6 desks. Right corner of one touches left corner of the other. Same for the other side row. Back row has left corner touching the top corner of another. Middle can be put in groups of 2 or separate depending on behaviors. Then they turn their bodies and work with a partner

[@EarlyEDventures]

Did you have the baskets under them?? I can't do the U because of the baskets. They HAVE to sit in a certain space and there is no room in a U shape

[@BekBuilds]

Early EDventures we didn’t have the baskets under them, but since I’m in upper elementary and they’re so tall, we didn’t always have desks completely touching. Idk if that helps or not. I also put tape down so they could line the desks up. I’d do desk checks before/after a transition and they’d get points if they finished the desk check in 5 seconds.

[@BekBuilds]

The U was also more of a square shape without a side

[@jessemunson8226]

Love these videos!! For the bookcase you could put the one with the broken back in the middle of the other two. And a decorative/functional way to fix it would be to either wrap a piece of fabric that matches your theme to the broken board for strength or hot glue to the bookcase itself.

[@kdyounger1]

I have my grade 7s sit "unconventionally" on the flat side of the desk (not on the inner rounded side). However we don't have the trays underneath. I've grouped 4-6-8 this way and there are many more options once used slightly differently. Happy set up!!!

[@werresworld]

I have similar desks but bigger, I did a mix of desk combinations. I have groups of three in the front line don’t like a clover, a circle of six in the middle, and then a variety of three and two group desks. I can take a picture if you want!

[@JMitch-rr5kh]

Oh girly I feel for you! I’m super lucky to have the standard rectangular desks. I’ve never seen the ones you have before but I don’t think I’m a fan! I hope some of your subscribers have ideas.

[@samanthastegman8483]

I've had those desks before for 7th and 8th graders. Groups of three work well with all the points facing in the middle like you have the four and the empty space is angled toward the front so everyone can see.

[@EarlyEDventures]

Samantha Koepsell if I only do groups of 3 I can’t fit all 30 kids 😔

[@samanthastegman8483]

@@EarlyEDventures you can add in a few groups of two as well. Using groups of three and two I had enough for 28. Easy to add another group of two :)

[@jordanwheeler1469]

I guess I’m ignorant to what all teachers provide themselves but WOW, like this is all your stuff......furniture and all.......I had no clue teachers bought that themselves, I just assumed they stayed in the class itself. Wow, major props to you. I’ve always had a huge respect for teachers, even my two kiddos preschool teachers, but wow!!

[@EarlyEDventures]

The desks aren't mine they were provided by my school!

[@mackenziecook2128]

my 7th grade science teacher had those desks and she did them in different arrangements throughout the year and the one that worked the best was just doing two together and if need for groups to be turned

[@jenxbobaplaysroblox4475]

I have the same sterlite box with the handle and it’s y’all and it has the flaps on the side that we’re near the bookshelves

[@jmszynal]

You could do 3 groups of 4 down the center. Then a row of three groups of three on either. I'm so big on symmetry because it helps me with "balance." You would have to angle the groups of three

[@krissybree926]

You should make pencil pouch with scissors,pencils , and erasers and the kids should be responsible enough to keep them in the classroom so you won’t have to worry about them loosing pencils and make sure before they leave to check the cubbies to see if the pouches are in there

[@25soccer18]

I had the triangle desks all through middle and high school and we usually sat in "4-leaf clovers" or "3-leaf clovers". It worked for us and we weren't much older than your students will be.

[@oliviahaley5791]

I'm going to be a first year teacher this year- teaching first grade! Watching these classroom set up videos is really helping me understand the best way to do things when I begin setting up my classroom!

[@taylorpopplewell2353]

You should do groups of three. Point two facing each other and one facing the board that way it Sort of makes a C shape and nobody has their back facing the board

[@TaliaVilleda]

I think the two seats next to each other looks better . Or if u do long rows of the third option that would look good too

[@kberry1022]

I haven't even watched the video yet but I saw the notification and yay desks! I got unreasonably excited for you!

[@halfpepthegamer]

I've seen where it was rows, kind of like the group of 3 you made but just a long snake. They also don't always have to move their desks, they can move just their chairs.

[@julieaaron2603]

So glad you were able to clear out and get your desks. Big sigh of relief 💜

[@mandypatterson4191]

Pods of three desks work best for these desks!

[@jaimebh30]

Yay for getting desks! I like the look of two desks facing the front or the groups of three in a line. If possible that would look great.

[@tracifryhoff6293]

Love your classroom set up videos!

[@kellyhitz150]

I'm a retired elementary teacher. I so enjoy watching your process. I miss the fun of getting ready for a new year. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Good luck with 6th grade. Big jump from 3rd. 😉

[@jessicahowe-smith8291]

I'm loving these set up vlogs! I'm in Australia and we are halfway through the school year, but I am taking over a grade 2 class for a few days per week and I'm having to re set up the whole room as the original teacher has gone on maternity leave and this is inspiring me to get stuck into it!

[@silvaignis24]

You have never made a boring video! I love your channel! 😊😊😊

[@autumn62219]

I have those desks and the struggle is REAL trying to set them up!! I ended up doing groups of 4, but I have that same issue of someone’s back to the board. It took me FOREVER to find an arrangement I can tolerate at least for now 😂

[@sarandie]

Hi! I had those desks at a previous school and I always just had a student turn the desk whenever we would take notes etc. I never had a problem with it :) Most of the time we would do group work or something anyways and that didn't require anyone to move.

[@vicann3764]

I’m in high school and I have these desks in most of my classes. A lot of them had groups of four and I never sat in the seat that faced the board bc it gets annoying turning around sometimes. However since they are in the sixth grade they are probably much more energetic then me so it should work in 4 for your grade! I’ve seen them in rows too and that works well for older kids.

[@MeikyuuButterfly17]

It's looking great! I had never seen those types of desks before. I'm having such a hard time finding a teaching position as a first year teacher... I've def have been feeling super down, but I still really enjoy watching your videos. 😊

[@EarlyEDventures]

stay positive!!!

[@caileyhowser1340]

Me too!!! It's my dream to have a classroom 😥 and I'm feeling very discouraged

[@kristinchappell6677]

I struggled to find a job as a first year teacher, too. I subbed for a year, and then worked as an aide for a year, then finally got a job as a teacher the 3rd year after graduating. However, I wouldn't change it for the world. I learned so much as a sub and took pics of various rooms I was in, and then got some great experience as an aide that I was able to roll right over into my own classroom. Keep trying, apply and interview for everything, and be willing to sub/work as an aide to get the experience/a foot in the door.

[@MeikyuuButterfly17]

Cailey let's keep trying out best! Best of luck!! 🥰 Kristin, thank you so much for your advice!! If I can't find a teaching position I will for sure look into subbing/ teacher aide and take it as a learning experience. ♡

[@chastitymcgraw6282]

West Virginia is in a teacher shortage!!

[@stephaniesmith1815]

6th grade is so fun to teach! There is going to be a lot of stuff you think is too young for them, but they will really enjoy. You will have so much with them!

[@blissfully_teaching2112]

Great video! Not sure about those desks though they are pretty strange but I’m sure you’ll make them work well.

[@nicolepszonak6336]

I never seen those kinda desks before!

[@tarasummers6353]

Thank you for sharing your set ups. I feel your pain in constant moving classrooms and different grades ❤️

[@barbaraperkins429]

i know i’m not a teacher but when i was in sixth grade (5 years ago) my teacher did the clover method but took out the fourth desk that had the kids back to the board. it might be a little weird since you have 30 kids, but i thought it was alright. also a plus to that method is the the teacher had her rolly chair that she’d go around the room with (or she’d just stand) and would plop herself in the extra space that way she could talk to everyone very easily. hope this helps, love your channel (:

[@sofz2345]

When I was in high school last year we had very similar desks and usually did rows of two and would turn around to do group work and that worked

[@chastitymcgraw6282]

I have these desks and I used them as a group of 4 last year. It was so hard with their backs to the front. I never could see what they were doing. My classroom is small so with 36 desks it was hard to freely walk around. I’m going to change how they are arranged this year. May try the 2 grouping.

[@evangelia23]

I had these desks in my old school. They were difficult to work with... then again, I had very active early childhood kiddos. Can you put in for a donors choose project so you can get the desks you want?

[@chloeknight5491]

We have those desk and we did like the way that the row of 3 were but we had longer ones of like 8 or 9 desck then we only had 3 rows of those in the room

[@aliyahnicholas8025]

Can you do a video of how being a teacher works? Like how do you know what to teach?

[@andrea-lf7rs]

I would like to see that video. I just switched majors to teaching and im almost done, i just dont know what grade i want to teach.

[@saradally9912]

andrea curiel my first advice is do not get attached to a specific grade level before you get a job. Youll need to go where theres an opening so if you set your heart on a certain grade and it is not offered to you, it would be super disappointing. :)

[@sadieolsen331]

You'll know what to teach because your district will give you curriculum that you have to follow that the state requires for each grade level.

[@aliyahnicholas8025]

Sadie Foote thanks heaps!

[@amirahnguyen2190]

Love your videos and your personality and you problem solving

[@stephanieg4723]

I have these desk and I HATE them!!! Yours have that extra basket underneath which is interesting. If you don't feel like your students need/or will use the baskets I feel like your options open a little bit more. My students are 8th graders so they typically only have materials for a few classes at a time so they wouldn't need that storage space. I've made rows with mine and my favorite shape so far has been the U-shape. The trick is to have the students sitting on sides without the curve. So every two desks create a half circle followed by the next set of desks that make a half circle and so on and so on depending on the size of your row. It takes a lot of playing around for sure. And so far I haven't used the same configuration twice but that trick of turning them saved me so much this past year! Its hard to explain in words but it works so much better than fours or pairs. It leaves a lot more space around the room too. Again its probably hard to visualize and probably won't work if you want them to use that basked underneath but it works for me.

[@stephanieg4723]

www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=imgres&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj8iPeCjbrjAhXoguAKHWD7BxMQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aceofficesystems.com%2FKaleidoscope_Series_4700_Triangle_Desk_p%2Fsc4700.htm&psig=AOvVaw1AU8w9BToO_SrFBl-BBY3-&ust=1563389271378054 something like this kind of

[@Neeks0804]

I had those desk last year! Good Luck!!

[@caoilinnbuckley7200]

You could do one taken away from the fourth and put some sort of container for them to our they're stuff into, I don't know if it would work but just a suggestion! I love set up videos and came across your channel and love it!

[@EarlyEDventures]

If only I didn't have 30 students! They all need a seat

[@yucki249]

I work at ikea, you can bring in the backing (or not) and let them know what the unit is (looks like a Billy 31x41) and they can check the spare parts wall in the recovery department and potentially get you a replacement backing!

[@AnnaMGarza-pt9iv]

I had desk somewhat like to those. I did like idea#3 but in rolls. The students would set sideways to see the front of the room. On the outside and in the middle just did single desks. (For the kids who needed to Focus more)

[@margaretbracey]

at my school the desks are set up in lines, like how you have the three, but with a whole row of desks

[@chinaaaaaa]

In my school we have desks kind of similar to those and we have them to where they are in a row that makes a C shape and like each group is 4 or 5 tables

[@FINDINGMYWAYINFIRST]

I have never seen desks like that and I thought the trapezoid desks that I have were tough. I'm sure whatever you're going to do will work out great.

[@marandaweingarten5198]

I had these desks in high school lol and my psychology teacher would do groups of three but have them shape in the group of 4 just took the the desk that was facing backward out. So it would be a curved shape and no one was facing backwards. Plus I love these videos so much because I look forward to being a elementary teacher in the next couple years

[@PuttingFourthEffort]

hey girl! i am so excited for you. can you keep the tables that were in the room instead of the desks??

[@megantrolinger8076]

U can arrange these desks like [ that and then have rows of the three style that’s how my mom does it and it looks good

[@emilyclaire995]

What is going in and where did you get the white frame with the green and blue “drawers” that you said was the hardest thing to bring in (next to the broken door cabinet!)

[@welcomeitslisa]

I’ve put 6 of the tables together to form a small group of six and it’s almost like a circular shape very similar to the four. The only thing that sucks is the students that can’t see the board but I taught second grade and just had the ones that couldn’t see come to the rug when they needed to

[@ms.und3rst00d6]

The desks are really cute! Waiting for the wall 🎀 decorations to begin. Will you keep the same color schemes and wall paper?

[@EarlyEDventures]

Changing the paper SLIGHTLY, but of course sticking with blue and green

[@carolinecorso3041]

We arrange them all in 4 groups and some times 2 and ya that’s pretty much it but once we hade them all separated in Rowes

[@madisonhicks7654]

I’m a first year teacher and your videos are making me more and more excited to begin this career. I love your vids!! I hope you have a great year!

[@katiemackable]

We have these desks at school. For the best space/walk around room and groups I've done groups of 4. I've also done pairs when kids are getting too distracted. But 4 groups of tables allows for some center groups and sharing of materials, so I prefer it. :) (Still wish we had square desks or tables instead! Haha!)

[@maryanngraham395]

Love your videos! Can't wait to see the next set up video!

[@zoeyrobertson1769]

i had those desks in high school. my teachers always kept them in rows no desks together. if we needed to partner up or group up we would move the desks around to make a group or slide the to make partners. it wasn’t hard it really worked. & like you said you can tell older kids to just turn around lol. edit: 6th graders should know how you had/like your desks to be. they will move them back after class. btw i love your videos ❤️ hi all the way from Georgia!

[@kasiehoward-teel1971]

You should try to fix the back of the bookcase somehow. I mean I have no idea what the back is made of, maybe like E6000. Then cover it with a cute fabric that matches your theme. That way it will cover the crack, just a suggestion. I love watching your videos. I am the same way, I need the old stuff gone before I can even visualize anything!

[@pm-r6136]

Can you just nail the back on?

[@muc405]

@@pm-r6136 Yeah you can do that.

[@MckaylaHodges]

IM SO EXCITED TO GET BACK IN MY CLASSROOM! so ready to film my own set up vlogs ❤️

[@MckaylaHodges]

iiGamer_Xx thank you so much! I will for sure be posting them ❤️

[@danadbrown91]

I have taught 6th grade for 15 years and they do not care if their back is to the board. They just turn sideways when they need to look at the board. I have very similar desk to yours. mine are trapezoidal but still have similar angles to yours. I typically start the year out in rows and then each term I switch out the layout to small groupings like you were doing in the video. Is there a way for me to email you my layouts I use? I would be happy to do that. Maybe through instagram? Desk layouts are always the hardest with the odd shaped desks. And those 6th graders will absolutely love the green chairs!

[@mandytrei4517]

What are the names of the shelving units you purchased from ikea? Also how many book boxes do they hold. I moved to a new classroom and there are no shelves🤭so I was thinking about these because it looks like they hold a lot of book boxes and it looks neat and clean! Also I’m about 4 hours from an ikea so if I could find it at target or somewhere else as a dupe, that would be great! What are the dimensions of the units? Sorry for all the questions. You see I use a wheelchair so I’ll have help with setting up my room and want to make things clear. I’ll be starting a KZbin channel soon!!! Thanks and love watching you. You inspire.

[@cassideejenkins1578]

I had these last year (6th grade) and my teacher made groups of 4 and at the back she made a group of 3 . and if we needed to we just turned our desk around and worked with the group of 3 for group work

[@katefausz7648]

You could always do the formation that makes the most sense for spacing and have a rug by the board so students who can’t see can on the rug while teaching. This might be a lot of work but just a though 😊

[@starrydreamer]

i have those desk (or a version like it) and one kid's back is to the board. The kid has to move the desk to see (but ours are on wheels)

[@beautybug498]

When I get the notification I immediately stop and watch your new videos! This series is soo good.

[@meganhunt9410]

On the side that s 2 tables of 4 and one table of 2 you should move one of the tables of 4 to the other side so that then it is even and you have 3 sets of 4 in the front row, 2 sets of 2 and 1 set of one on the second and third row . If that makes sense

[@alyssasneddon4404]

My teacher put them in rows connecting the bottom sides or “angels” to each other so everyone was facing forward. Then we could move into groups of two like you already have them or bigger groups easily. We liked them like that

[@alexmolloy4375]

Groups of 4 of those desks but in a rectangle shape or even an L shape might work well that way no childs back is to the board... enjoying these videos

[@absolutelyjolly4925]

You could put poster or the cardboard displays project board behind it once filled you can’t tell ♥️

[@gracemorrissey3966]

For the desks do a group of four and take one away so they all face the front.

[@EarlyEDventures]

Grace Morrissey then 30 won’t fit I tried 😕