Recently, I walked into a discount clothing store in search
of a bargain for my back to school wardrobe. I walked around for a few minutes then
had to leave. On my drive to the next store I reflected on why I could not stay
in the store and came to the conclusion that I was overwhelmed by the clutter.
The chaos was too much for me to process and I was unable to focus on my task.
This scenario may be how some of our students feel in our
classrooms with commercially produced posters, letters, words, and bulletin
boards stapled, glued, and taped on every inch of the walls. Teachers spend
hours and hours putting these thing up every summer and often times they are
not taken down until the following spring, if ever.
Have you ever walked into your house and noticed something
was moved, an object you never paid attention to until it changed? We get desensitized
by things in our environment until there is a change. The same happens in the
classroom. Again, teachers spend a good chunk of their summer time posting
things on their walls. It makes for a print rich environment for the first
couple of weeks of school but soon students stop noticing.
Here is a list of things that can be done in the classroom
before school starts:
- Organize teaching materials
- Clean out the filing cabinet
- Put up the structure of the word or sound wall, calendar math, etc.
- Create areas of learning in the classroom
- Rearrange desk for optimal learning
- Get rid of store-bought items you did not use last year
- Take the rare chance to dust
Once the classroom is organized and set up for learning,
post materials that support learning on your wall as it is being taught. Because
it is new, they will pay more attention to it. In addition, students will take
ownership in learning material that is made with them or in front of them. Student
learning material will support success far more than what one buys at the
teacher store.
As a bonus, spend your money on those back to school outfits.
Sonya Louviere
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