How to Set Up a Classroom Using Organizational Zones Like a Pro

Wondering how to set up a classroom for success? Do you have zones in your classroom? Here are my top 3 reasons you NEED classroom zones and the most important classroom zones you need to have an organized classroom! 

1. How to set up a classroom to build student independence

Your students will learn so much in their time with you as their teacher.  The focus in a classroom setting is mostly academic but we can’t forget that children need to be explicitly taught self-help/life skills as well.  

When you create classroom zones and routines for those zones you set your students up to learn new independence skills.  By modeling how to use each zone you show your students the expectations. Your students will need ample practice following the rules and routines of each classroom zone, and over time they will develop independence. 

You must have a system for each zone to be successful! Spend your time teaching your students the system for each center and build their independence. 

2. How to set up a classroom so that it is comfortable

You need classroom zones to create a comfortable environment for your students.  This means that the physical space of your classroom is designed for students to use all parts of the room.  In the elementary classroom, your students should be allowed to use all parts of the room throughout the day.  This means that students should not be stuck at their desks all day.

Students should feel welcomed when they enter your room.  Being at the door to greet them, or having a student job as a greeter, is one way to make all students feel welcomed in the morning.  

A comfortable classroom is also a place where students feel like they can make mistakes and learn with their peers.  Students should feel like they can be themselves.  

3. How to set up a classroom so there is a place for everything and everything in its place

Organizing your classroom zones is key to a successful classroom.  A student’s physical space should be well organized, from their folders to their desks.  This also includes how you organize your classroom.  For the most part, students will follow suit with how well you keep your classroom organized.  It is so important as a teacher to be the model of how to organize materials, paperwork, etc. 

Here’s how to set up a classroom using organizational zones like a pro!

Setting up a student message center

The first zone to consider when setting up your classroom is your student message center.  In my classroom, I have this right by the door so that students visit here first thing when they come in each morning.  

In the message center you should have a place to collect homework and a place to collect notes from home.  This is also a good place to have student mailboxes. Students can make their lunch choices here in the morning as well.  I have a morning work bin so students can grab this as they come in.  

Students learn the routine for this area right at the beginning of the year.  Here is how students enter my classroom each morning:

I am at the door to greet them and say hello.  Our cubbies are in the hallway so students hang up backpacks first.  

Students take out their homework folder and check for homework and notes and place them in the correct bins.  Then they place their folder into their mailbox.

Next, they make their lunch choice then grab their morning work from the bin and head to their desk. 

How to set up a classroom with student desks

The next zone to consider is your student desks.  Will your students sit in groups or rows?  I start off the year in rows, then transition into groups after a few weeks.  I also like to change up the desks as students get more comfortable with one another.  It’s all about finding that balance between a class that engages in lessons and a class that just likes to chat with the people around them…

I have never tried flexible seating in my classroom, but have the students work around the room all day long.  We certainly don’t sit at our desks all day long, but I think it’s important for students to have a space that is their own within the classroom. 

How to organize your classroom student materials?

My students have pencil cases to hold pencils, markers, scissors, glue, and crayons, which they keep in their desks.  Our new desks are designed with a very small place to hold items so the one pencil case is more than enough.

In the past, I used a clear container for each student to hold all their materials.  They didn’t have to open them, and the container fit inside their desks like a drawer.  I also loved these because it was so easy for students to pick up their bins and work around the room! 

How to set up a classroom supply zone

Along with individual pencil cases we also have shared supplies in our room.  I use these bin labels for our pencil bins, “sharp” and “dull.”  During lessons, students can grab a pencil from the sharp bin and put their dull pencil in the other bin.  This cuts down on sharpening during lessons, which I find so annoying 🤣  

At the end of the day, I have a Pencil Sharpener job and that person sharpens pencils while we pack up.  This way there are plenty of pencils for the next day! 

In the supply zone, there are also crayons, glue, markers, scissors, etc. so that students can grab what they need during lessons if they can’t find something in their personal bins.

Calendar and morning meeting spot 

A meeting area is so important for building a classroom community.  Our spot has a rug, calendar, and a comfy cushion on my chair.  This is where I read stories and we talk with each other to get to know one another better.  

This is also a comfy spot that students can use while they are working around the room.

How to set up a classroom library and student book bins

A cozy classroom library is absolutely key to your classroom setup.  Your library should be a space where students feel comfortable and able to choose books that interest them.  Instilling a love for reading goes beyond being able to read words.  Kids need to see that reading is important and be allowed to explore books to find out what they are interested in. 

Student book bins are great for keeping books that students pick during the week organized.  I can’t stand when students shove library books into the black hole that is their desks!!  

Book bins make keeping their book choices at hand soooo much easier!! I absolutely love these book bins from IKEA.  They are cardboard and can be recycled at the end of the year.  They are sturdy enough to last the whole year and I don’t have to worry about them getting broken like plastic ones. 

My students love being able to take their book bins around the room when it is quiet reading time. 

Word wall and bulletin boards

People use many different forms of word walls and sound walls in their classrooms.  I really like the idea of sound walls because students can find words based on the vowel sounds in words.  Making sure that your classroom decor looks nice and is useful to students is so important.

I have a place to hang up anchor charts with relevant information about topics we are learning.  I change these out whenever we switch to a new topic.

You share your classroom with your students and I can’t think of a better way to let them know that than to display your students’ work.  Students love to see their own work up in their classrooms! 

How to organize literacy centers

I have my literacy center materials in a few spots around the room.  I like to have them spread out a little so that when I call groups to get their materials they aren’t all running to one area in the classroom.  

During literacy centers, students are allowed to work around the room and they enjoy getting to sit somewhere other than their desks.

I am currently writing a whole post on exactly how I set up my literacy centers, so stay tuned for that post coming soon!! In the meantime, check out this post on how to love hands-on literacy centers and get your students begging for literacy time!

How to set up a classroom with positive behavior

Our class works on earning “brownie points” for positive behavior.  They earn these by receiving compliments from other teachers, or when I think they have worked extra hard.  As a group they came up with ideas to work towards, and this time they picked pj day with a movie.  Once they fill their brownie baking sheet we will have our movie day! 

I keep our baking sheet at the front of the room where all students can see it.  I refer to it often as a reminder to students about what they are working toward.  

Happy organizing!

Alexandra