Setting up the art room is one of my favorite parts of starting a new school year. It is a chance to reimagine your space, start fresh, and set things up with a different perspective.
Here are 5 things to consider when setting up your room.
Table Placement
Tables too close together can make things feel chaotic. Tables too far apart can make it difficult for you to quickly help students. It’s important to find a good balance.
Designated Areas
Consider splitting up your space into separate areas: clean-up station, iPad upload station, work area, reading area, etc… When students are spread out, they are less likely to bug each other, too.
Traffic Patterns
Divide and conquer your room so traffic flows during the most chaotic times. For example, don’t put the drying rack right next to the sink.
Wall Decor
Are the walls too cluttered? Are your posters faded? Is it just time for something new? Nothing says, “I don’t care,” like the same bulletin board 5 years in a row!
Teacher Desk
Is your desk area something to be proud of? Just because you never sit down doesn’t mean your desk has to look like a dumping ground or storage closet. Consider a plant, soft lighting, or some fun patterned office supplies to energize yourself.
Before you know it, the back-to-school stuff will start dominating the aisles of the nearest superstore. (I know, cringe!) Until then, have a great summer and start planning your room so you feel less stressed when you enter it this fall.
What is your favorite part of setting up your room?
What is the biggest challenge in designing your space?
Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.
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