Material Suggestions for Classroom Environment

Essentials/Must Haves / Other Things you Might Like / Link to Instruction
Whole Group Teaching Area:
  • Large rug/ carpet squares/ mats to define area
  • Easel for big books and whole group writing
  • Calendar for math time
  • Possibly overhead projector or document camera
/ Whole Group Teaching Area:
  • Comfy teacher chair
  • A big book storage area
  • Something to store daily teacher materials for instruction
/ Whole Group Teaching Area:
  • Modeling how to read, write, math, science, Social studies, etc.
  • Group work and discussion

Small-Group Teaching Area:
  • Table for small group teaching (round, kidney)
  • Shelves (or plastic drawers) for materials
  • Needs to be next to a bulletin board that will support readers
/ Small-Group Teaching Area:
  • Dry erase boards and markers
  • Magnetic letters (upper and lower case)
  • Storage for letters (tackle box works great)
  • Anchor charts to offer support for readers
/ Small-Group Teaching Area:
  • Supporting 4-6 students as they develop into readers and writers
  • Small group (differentiation) for students to develop their skills

Classroom Library:
  • Bookshelves
  • Plastic bins (shoe boxes or baskets) for books
  • Labels for bins (BEST if made with students)
/ Classroom Library:
  • Small rug to define the area
  • Plants, pillow, lighting (make the place comfortable like a home)
  • Area to display anchor charts on book choice and independent reading practice
/ Classroom Library:
  • Place to self-select books of interest
  • Place to practice reading skills during stations

Writing Area Station:
  • Small table or two desks pushed together
  • Trays organizing (stacking) paper
  • Place to organize pencils, pens and other writing tools
/ Writing Area Station:
  • Writing supports (dictionaries, thesaurus, and anchor charts on writing)
  • Chairs for students
  • Ideal if word wall/ word bank is close for kids to utilize
/ Writing Area Station:
  • Space to practice writing skills

Other Station Ideas:
  • Computers
  • Word Work/ ABC
  • Listening
  • Big Books
  • Must Haves/May Haves –work list
  • Management Board
/ Other Station Ideas:
  • Have expectations for stations posted
  • Books in all stations
  • Could use plastic bins to create mobile stations
/ Other Station Ideas:
  • Reinforcement of whole group and small group instruction

Adapted from Debbie Diller’s Spaces and Places