Student-Centered Classroom: Self-Directed Learning & Collaboration

When it comes to a student-centered classroom, we have been playing the “What If” game for quite some time… What if we completely emptied our classrooms and created a new environment that felt inviting, comfortable, and highlighted all of the things we feel are key to student success? This year we finally got brave and took the leap.

This summer, we asked our custodians to leave the furniture out of our rooms after cleaning. That decision sparked our imagination as we explored all the possibilities. Embracing our students’ diverse learning styles and preferences was essential, so we knew variety was key. Additionally, we aimed to create several areas in the room for student collaboration.

The result is something we are absolutely in love with, and the best part has been the positive feedback from our kiddos and their parents.

Classroom Layout and Seating Options for a Student-Centered Classroom

Door to Classroom View

Here is a picture from the door to the classroom. As you can see, there are a variety of places for students to sit. There are three round tables that seat four students, the center island that also seats four students, three two-student tables, three individual desks, and a kidney table. In addition to the tables and desks, there is ample floor space for students who would rather sit on the floor to work.

“The Center” of the Student-Centered Classroom

This is the center of the classroom, and the table was the first thing that was placed in the room. The table has four stools from IKEA and is anchored by two shelves that were also purchased from IKEA. The stools really help the room to seem less cluttered and the kids like having a choice between traditional chairs and the stools.

Two-Student Workstations

Two students can sit and work together here:

Cozy Seating Areas Are a Must in a Student-Centered Classroom

We also have a few cozy places for kids to sit and work, including disc chairs and a futon. Behind the two disc chairs, there is a long countertop that we keep cleared off for those students who would like to stand while working.

Classroom Features and Learning Zones

Class Library and Independent Work Area

Here is our class library, which also houses anchor charts for our core subject areas. There are three desks in this area where kids can work independently. Many questions ask if this is where our kiddos who are not on task sit, but it is not. This space is reserved for kids who choose to work on their own.

Gathering Area

This is our gathering area and where I conduct a majority of the lessons throughout the day. It works perfectly because the students can choose to sit on the floor or on the bench, and I have access to the document camera and interactive whiteboard.

Collaboration and Small Group Instruction Areas in a Student-Centered Classroom

This is the kidney table where students can collaborate or where I can pull a small group for instruction.

Managing Supplies and Student Materials

Student Supply Boxes and Binders

Visitors always ask how we manage students and supplies in a design like this. Each student has a white box and a binder. These give them space to hold personal materials. We provide community scissors, crayons, pencils, markers, and more. Students use the binders to organize papers by subject. The white boxes are spread throughout the classroom. This arrangement prevents crowding when students get their materials and encourages classroom community.

Library Book Storage

Students store their library books in these book bags hanging on a series of hooks my sweet hubby created for me. I have two hook racks in the room (one in the front and one in the back) to help with the flow of traffic when students are asked to get their books for SSR.

Encouraging Student Responsibility and Collaboration in a Student-Centered Classroom

On-Task Behavior Management

To help students stay on track, we let them choose where to work. They must make wise choices. I send my kiddos off daily with, “Find a place where you can be successful!” If students are not focused, they may move their number to the “First Notice” column. Continued poor choices mean the teacher decides their workspace for the rest of the period.

Assigned Partners for Focus Lessons

We also needed a way for students to collaborate during the focus lesson, so we assigned each student a partner for various subject areas. When students gather in the gathering area for a lesson, they sit by their partner for that subject. It makes turn and talk much easier.

Moving Forward

We are a couple months into the school year and, so far, there isn’t anything we would change. We are looking forward to conducting a short survey with our kiddos and their parents to gather feedback on how the room is working for them. If you are interested seeing pics from Mollie’s room (all pics in this post are from Amy’s room) and hearing more about how the layout of our rooms is helping us to meet the needs of all of our learners, please hop on over and visit us at our blog.

Our Guest Experts

Mollie and Amy are Two Nutty Teachers who strive to find fun, exciting, and engaging ways to deliver curriculum to their fourth-grade students. In addition to working together as teaching partners, Mollie and Amy enjoy sharing their curriculum creations in their Teachers Pay Teachers store.