Continuing on with the planningpalooza! Yesterday got the wheels turning about all of the essential questions of classroom setup. You know your classroom’s dynamic, you have an idea about your paraprofessionals, and you have made some decisions regarding independent work. Alright – maybe you are not all there yet – but it will come!
Even though it’s summer and poolside margarita’s are calling your name – it’s not a bad idea to start to list out your centers now. Get the wheels turning. It’s a fine line – make sure you have enough that your students will be occupied all day and IEP goals will get met but also don’t have too many that you don’t have enough room! I told you this was tricky! If many of your students can work together (have similar goals and are able to work cooperatively), you could have less stations since you will be able to work in larger groups. You may be able to combine some later on once you get to arranging the room.
Here are my centers with links to relevant posts:
- Closet for backpacks/coats (and storage)
- Area for binder schedules and PECS books/AAC device
- Break area
- Computers
- Teacher desk
- Reading {station run by an aide}
- Language/Fluency {station run by an aide}
- One 3 bin work station
- Morning Group (kitchen equipment is next to this)
- Factory – 2 additional independent work tasks changed weekly (sorting tasks & table top tasks)
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I love your factory ideas! I have more break centers then work centers so these are perfect. 🙂 Your blog is my new inspiration. Thank you for all of the help!
I have a question: what did you use on your wall to store your large exercise ball? I’m trying to figure out a high place to put mine. Thanks 🙂
Question: What is the difference between your one 3 bin work station, and independent work system or do they go together? and factory?
It’s from abilitations: https://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?minisite=10206&item=83359. I LOVE it! Keeps those huge balls out of the way!
Most of my students use table time. That’s really our main independent station. I have the 3 bin work station for my two kids that struggle to work independently. The factory station I created for kids that had extra down time in their schedule. It has bigger independent work tasks and is great to fill small amounts of time. Hope this helps!
What is the difference between Table Time and Work Station in your classroom? I get the feeling that they are one and the same but then on your lesson plan pack it has the static stations with both listed separately. Your website has been an absolute lifesaver!
Most of my students use table time. That’s really our main independent station. I have the 3 bin work station for my two kids that struggle to work independently. The factory station I created for kids that had extra down time in their schedule. It has bigger independent work tasks and is great to fill small amounts of time. It’s basically just two different forms of independent work to give students a chance to excel in variety of ways. Hope this helps 🙂