ESL classroom design
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 7:39 pm
I am working on classroom design, and would live to get advice on designing a classroom for ESL students on Elementary school level. 
Our classrooms for all age groups have chairs with fold-down desktops for each student, but I don't like this arrangement , especially for younger children. It's difficult for them to get up withoug tipping their books, crayons, scissors..... everything, all over the floor. If Iwant them to work on projects, they have to do it on the floor and I can't move around the room without stepping on them or their work. If I want them in groups, either they're on the floor or they have to move cumbersome desks. Ugh!!!
My preference for the young kids is low tables with light chairs because it's flexible. Four or six chairs to a table is great. When you want their attention, put the chairs behind and beside the tables so they are all facing you; when you want them to work in groups, put them all around the tables; in pairs is also easy. And you can easily walk around behind and between them to monitor what they're doing. Have a place under the table where they can put the stuff they're not using. Perfect!