Let me start by saying that this is NOT achieved by 1 big change that you will be able to implement and everything suddenly becomes better. Let me also say to ECT colleagues that you are going to feel under pressure just because “its all new” and as such everything takes a lot longer …unfortunately put the ECT training schedule on top of this and it just adds even more.
So I am going to be posting a variety of articles connected with this overall topic - go with the flow on this and keep an open mind because its the combination of a lot of small changes that all add up to success here.
Here’s the first…
YOUR TEACHERS DESK
(Use and placement of the teachers desk in Reception classes and possibly for the beginning of year 1 is different and we will look at this under the context of "arranging your Reception classroom")
Well there are only 2 choices for having a teachers desk - and surprisingly it's
You have one
You don't have one .....told you it was that simple !
There are some schools that frown upon teachers having desks under the (in my opinion) impression that you should not be "sat at your desk" but should be actively engaging with the children as you move around the classroom. Very commendable and laudable (and very 70's) but I am afraid totally wrong and in short misguided!
I cannot think of ANY reason why you should not have a desk...honestly not 1 reason.
Lets start with the most basic reason
I want somewhere to put my stuff !....don't tell me to put it in the storeroom or on a shelf somewhere. I want my stuff with easy access to pens/pencils, planning material, notes, my computer etc etc the list is endless. On top of that I want to be able to put things in the drawers that I need from time to time and also personal things. Basically it's where I land when I first arrive in the classroom when I come into school. If you have the misfortune to be in a school that doesn't like desks then you will know what a problem this causes just from the logistics point of view!
The next reason is that it's a teaching aid
On my desk I can put my planning notes for each lesson - these can be open and I can refer to them as the lesson progresses. I may have my computer situated here connected to the teaching screen and it is easily accessed as needed..
From my desk I can see all the classroom (more on this shortly) and all the children working (hopefully!)
Its position is such that all children can see the desk and as such the teacher and anything else that you may be using on the desk.
And for me - well I used to "perch" on the edge of my desk when speaking to the children...it gave a more relaxed approach to the classroom.
Now here lets consider where to place your teachers desk....because this is important and many teachers get this wrong. Here's some examples and the rights and wrongs.
This picture made me smile....as here the teacher has almost barricaded him/herself in. There is only 1 way in to see the teacher and if there was a door on that entrance it wouldn't surprise me. Its very crowded around the area and not very functional. It doesn't encourage children to come to see the teacher - who may well be asleep behind it ! A positive note - well.... he/she is facing the class, but that's about all that's positive.
Try another
This one is better and as we can see it is open and welcoming for the children to "visit" should they need. The teacher has set up a reminder board for notices and lists and files are easily accessible. The desk looks next to the teaching area which is good. However the teacher cannot see the class unless he/she turns the chair away from the desk.
When teaching a lesson the teacher can use the computer to show aspects of the lesson on the screen or place teaching notes on the desk to assist / prompt during a lesson or to have examples of items needed. I see quite a few examples of these on my travels - so opinion...better than no desk (obviously) better than the barricades example but in my opinion restricting the advantages that can be had by a bit more thought on positioning.
Ok here is another option
Of the examples we have seen here, this in my opinion is the best - so why do I say that?
The teacher has an open desk with no barriers....except here it is open on 2 sides. It is accessible to children on both sides.
The teacher is facing the children at all times (this is important)
The teacher has easy access to the teaching area at the front of the class and so also has the advantages of the previous desk in controlling computers, placing teaching notes and / or teaching aids
From the picture it looks like the teacher is setting up a teachers notice board to the side of the desk (as recommended in display blog post)
Now if I had to pick one aspect of this desk positioning above all the others it is the fact that the teachers desk is open on both sides. (if this is not possible then you must try and find a position that enables you to have 1 open side).
What are the advantages of this?
By having the desk at the front but across a corner opens up the sides of your desk without obstructing the teaching area.
The teacher can see the whole class. There are times when the children are getting on with work and you are not actively engaging by moving around the class. By having an "open desk" it is possible to call out individual children to you to see how they are progressing or to assist with an aspect of the work - whilst still having a view of the class.
There may be some children who might be finding some of the work challenging and would benefit from assistance. It is possible with the desk in this position to have a child next to you while you discuss and assist with progress.
Some children may need more input than others and if you have the desk open on both sides then it is possible to assist perhaps a child who requires quite a degree of input or regular prompting on one side of the desk whilst asking other children to come to you on the other side to monitor progress or give brief direction.
In short …. the above has outlined the pros and cons of both having a desk and how/where to site it. But it’s in the context of our initial aim of work/life balance that I want you to think. Having set up your desk as I have suggested it allows you to have a central “hub” around which you can operate - not only in teaching but also in marking. It’s quite easy to sit at your desk when the children are working (and you have a view of the whole class) and either call out individuals or even whole groups to quickly check and mark work as things progress. Not only does this keep the class on track but you can actively get through marking very quickly (don’t agonise over things). Once you’ve tried this a few times you will get into the way of how efficiently this operates and how in my opinion and experience its a win/win situation which saves you marking time later in the day.
You see - you can juggle !!
For me having a teachers desk is a valuable and vital part of the classroom, both for you personally as a teacher but also as a teaching aid. It gives your classroom a central focal point and really is the hub around which your classroom functions. It is an important part of your classroom organisation so make the most of it.
Now here's an idea......!
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