Classroom Setup | Organization | Centers for Special Education

Take the stress and overwhelm out of classroom setup and organization. This easy-to-follow step-by-step guide is designed to give special educators the information, strategies, and tools needed to create a classroom environment that is structured, organized, and utilizes small group instructional centers to support student learning.

Whether you are a new teacher or just looking to refresh your classroom setup, the 5-step design process outlined in this guide will help you get your classroom back to school ready.

This guide is the result of years of supporting new special education teachers and providing instructional coaching for local school districts. Teachers quickly begin to see the benefits of classroom spaces that are visually structured, organized for learning throughout the day and support the differentiated learning needs of their students.

Although each classroom space presents a different set of challenges, I found when this classroom setup and design process was systematically and thoughtfully implemented, teachers reported a direct impact on student engagement and classroom organization that was easy to maintain.

Imagine your classroom with…

• uncluttered, clearly defined instructional areas
• small group instructional centers for all subjects
• all staff and students actively engaged in student learning
• instructional materials organized to support differentiated learning
• a design that promotes student independence

*****THIS CAN BE YOUR CLASSROOM!*****

What’s Included in this Resource?

60 Page Step-By-Step Guide:

• Pre-planning organizer
• Strategies for maximizing your classroom space to support student learning.
• Tips for creating visual structure as part of the classroom design.
• Examples of classrooms designed with small group instructional centers.
• How to create a Center Planning Guide; a tool that integrates classroom setup with instructional planning.
• Considerations and examples for organizing instructional materials within center areas.
• How to develop a Center Rotation Schedule to support small group instruction and student transitions with step-by-step photo examples.
• Editable Progress Checklist to guide each step of the design process.

Printable & Editable Templates:

• Printable Center Planning Guide Examples for elementary & middle school
• Editable Center Planning Guide Templates in multiple formats
• Editable Rotation Schedule Templates for the subject, student groups, rotation times, and staff assignments.
• Printable Center Color Cue Cards for Rotation Schedule pocket chart display

This is a zip file containing the following files for download/viewing options:

• Resource Guide Only
• Printable & Editable Templates Only
• Combined File with Resource Guide & Editable Templates