At our last faculty meeting of the school year, we were invited to discuss concerns about our classes. One elementary grade teacher expressed the concern that her Sunday School students never quite felt comfortable in the classroom which they shared with a weekday Early Childhood Center class. The Sunday School students needed frequent reminders not to touch the early childhood toys, equipment, and displays which filled the room. There was little space to display student work or visual materials related to the Sunday School program. As Jewish educators, many of us have similar concerns about the effective use of shared space. Budget and building constraints often make it necessary for several classes or programs to share a room. How can one educational space serve the needs of multiple users? I suggest two words to address this situation – “Store” and “Speak.” For those using the room only a few hours a week, smart storage of resources and equipment ensures speedy set-up; an age- appropriate learning environment; and quick clean-up.Inexpensive, readily available storage and organizing tools include:Storage bins on wheels to hold books, school supplies, and craft materialsA wheeled set of storage drawers or a small filing cabinet for lesson packets , student work folders, flash cards, administrative formsA plastic milk crate for games and toysProject display boards for portable displays of themed materials and student work, and as a platform for learning games With a storage plan in mind, Speak to the teachers whose space you share. Address questions such as: How can the space be shared to provide each teacher’s students with a welcoming environment and a quality learning experience?Where can storage units be placed so as to be unobtrusive and secure?Are there games, toys, books, etc. which may be shared?How can chalkboard, bulletin board and wall space be fairly divided? Arrange to maintain communication throughout the year so that shared space concerns may be quickly resolved. Also – Speak with your students at the beginning of the school year about sharing the space. Together, develop a set of rules for using the classroom respectfully and constructively. Post these rules and refer to them when necessary.If the room is filled with little kid toys which are “off limits” to your students, encourage your students to suggest toys and games which they’d like for their own use before class begins or when assignments have been completed. If possible, gather some of the suggested items and have them on hand. Students might even be willing to contribute some of their own.One source for learning games and toys with a Judaic theme is www.mahirjudaica.com Your comments are welcome. Please tell us your ideas about sharing classroom space.
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