In a fifth and sixth grade science classroom, we often complete hands-on labs and activities and there is rarely a case of a lecture. Students are usually working in groups or in pairs, and the "pods" seating arrangement is an ideal setup for this type of work. My class sizes are usually 15-18 students. The arrangement works best for 16 students, but there is room for an "extra" 1-2 students on the ends of the pods.
In the front of the room there is a Smart Board, which is used daily to post the Warm Up and Agenda for the day. It also is used to guide students through their activities with relevant information and directions. There is also a table in the front and back of the room for any supplies or demonstrations needed for the day. Around the periphery of the room are several drawers, cabinets, and shelves to store all of the materials needed for various experiments. They are well labeled and organized so that other teachers can easily find materials to borrow. There is also ample counter space around the room that is often used for activities involving "stations" or when the students need room to spread out.
The ceiling houses power cords, which can connect to the tables to provide them with electricity, which especially come in handy when using the microscopes. The tile floor can make things noisy and be tough on the feet, but definitely makes for easy clean up. I am very lucky to have all of this space to teach science!
the front of my classroom
Be sure to check out my favorite labs and activities page to see all of the exciting things that happen inside (and outside) of this classroom!
Hover over or click the images below to read about more details of my classroom!