Easy Kindergarten Classroom Set Up & Preparation

If you are looking for Easy Kindergarten Classroom Set Up & Preparation, you are in the right place. You guys have asked for it so I am going to answer all the questions about preparing for Kindergarten with these easy classroom setup tips. Let’s face it. Kindergarten is a completely different {and better} world than most grades… so let’s break it down and help out some of these new to K teachers. And maybe some veterans can learn some new tips or lend a hand along the way.

Schedule and Routine

First, you need to know your schedule and routine so you can set up for easy Kindergarten Classroom Set Up & Preparation. Are you going to use guided reading groups, centers, Daily 5, etc? If you have a Teaching Assistant or collaborative class with another teacher, make sure you are utilizing them to the fullest potential. Sometimes that means you have to get creative and uncomfortable.
You can check out my schedule here.

Class Size for Preparing for Kindergarten

Then, you should know about how many kiddos will be in your classroom. Let’s think about it. If you plan for 16 and have 24 show up… that is bad. Always prepare for more! This also means you have to have enough cubbies, hooks, and spaces on your carpet. If you have 18 kids on your list, prep for at least 22. You will thank me later.

No Hiding Spots!

Next, leave no hiding places available. All K kids NEED to be in your sight at a glance. Position all furniture so you can see all of them. If there is a hiding spot, they will find it. This also means… wait for it… I don’t have a teaching desk. Instead, I have an awesome area for my students to use instead. And I no longer have a drop spot for all my junk. And a hole for students to hide in. This is really a key in an easy Kindergarten Classroom Set Up & Preparation.

Now, make your room a place you will love…

Then your kids will love it too! If you know you will be using Daily 5- you need to plan ahead for places for book boxes and a large classroom library. And if you love small groups, you have to make sure you know how many kids will be in your groups so your tables can hold that many kids. That makes sense right??? Also, think about supplies. Will each kid have their own or will they be communal? Where will these items be stored?

Keep Some Things Out of Sight and Reach

When preparing for Kindergarten, keep in mind the students’ sight line. If I want kids to get into it, it is in their eyesight and reaches… manipulatives, clipboards, markers, pencils, tissues, etc. Also, think about books here. What books can they use or can’t they use? How will they know?

If it is for them, make sure they can get to it.

A big tip for Easy Kindergarten Classroom Set Up & Preparation is this. If I do not want a kid to get into it, I keep it away. For example, my tubs are full of learning materials per unit, Sharpies, teacher scissors, art supplies we haven’t introduced yet, etc. I keep these in a closet or cabinet.

Wall Space is Also Precious

Keep in mind what resources you want to be posted all year! And make sure all these displays are worth your wall space. I also post my ABCS, Numbers to 30, word families, word wall sight words, and color and shape words.
Here is what I use to decorate my classroom.

And you can check out my suggestions for wall decor here.

Room For Their Creations

Finally, leave lots of room for student art and creations… because it is THEIR classroom and they should have space to show off what they make and learn.

Room Reveal

Want to see my classroom and how I prepared for Kindergarten?
You can check out my classroom here.

Comments

Sarah says

June 13, 2013 at 1:02 pm

Thanks so much for this post! I'm going to a new school next year and dropping down to Kindergarten from first grade! I am beyond excited! 🙂 I'm thinking of having a lot of their supplies communal and I will replenish as needed. Last year, I had a lot of firsties going through their supplies like water!

Sarah
teachingiscolorful.blogspot.com

- Carrie says
  
  June 12, 2016 at 7:33 pm
  
  This is what I am doing…I taught first grade 2015-2016 school year. This coming school year 2016-2017 I will be dropping down to Kindergarten also. What do you think is going to be the biggest challenge for us? This is only my second year of teaching.
  
April Kreitzer Wolfe says

June 13, 2013 at 7:55 pm

This is great advise!!

April
Wolfelicious

Elaine Marshall says

August 14, 2017 at 9:17 pm

I have worked with pre-K 3, 4 and now pre-k 5. Thank you for your advice.

August 14, 2017

LanieM

Christine Riehl says

August 15, 2017 at 3:28 pm

I am starting at a new elementary school this upcoming year. I am sooo excited. I will be in the Kindergarten room, and this information has surely been helpful. thank you..