Guest Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 Hi, this probably sounds like a really stupid question, but how many tables do you have in your classroom? I have had to move into a small classroom until March whilst an extension is built onto my old classroom, but I'm really struggling for space. We will have 16 children and 3 adults (one child is statemented and needs constant 1:1 support). So far I have fitted in computers, listening centre and light box, quiet reading area, role play, a small space for construction/small world, a tray for either sand or water (we will have to alternate) and a small table to seat four for dough/sticking/messy activities etc. The trouble is the room already looks really full, and I only have that one table! Any ideas?...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 think its really quite a personal thing - although i think generally we need less tables than we think as children prefer to work on floor. I read about one nursery experiment where all furniture etc was moved out in to hall and children were able to move back and arrange whatever they chose - over time they moved everything back except the tables! my gut reaction as an adult would be that i would want one other table to cater for mark-making/puzzles/games etc but I guess you need to evaluate what activities you want to provide and on what surfaces as the children are probably more than happy to get games and puzzles out on the floor. My main experience is of working in a large room but our 2-3's room is quite small - they have one table and alternate art activities with others such as puzzles, a role-play area, sand tray, small water tray, easel, multi-purpose floor space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
narnia Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 I have no easels at all most days, I use the tables instead for painting on,I find the children seem to make more 'meaningful' paintings and experiment more on flat areas.Ours are Community Playthings ones, so the height is adjustable, and sometimes we put them down really low, which the children do seem to love, as they can sit on the floor and work at the tables that way, instead of on chairs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chill Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Hi Our specialist teacher advisor would say no tables at all. She is a very keen on children playing at floor level and the use of tuf spots. We compromise and have three tables - the minimum we need for snacks and lunch time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Children need tables though for some activities, dont they? Mark making especially? I get complained at when the dough gets walked into the carpet, imagine if I let the children play with it on the floor! My children even take chairs to the sand tray so I cant imagine they would be happy to not have any? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marion Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 With 16 children you shouldn't need more than one or two tables. I like a table for "formal" writing practice so that children sit properly and put their paper at the correct angle etc but often use the floor for mark making. We got rid of our carpets because of the dough issue now everything mops up easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 My classroom has just been carpeted so cant see that going down well! Its too small to remove only some and I have a large space I can access outside the classroom itself which has lino where I have my dough, but it still gets walked in!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marion Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 I often find I take dough home on the bottom of my shoes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Hi loon and welcome! Just realised this was your first post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Hi, thanks everyone, that really helps! I guess the problem was really that I am new to the class, but have a TA who is lovely but has been in there for years and is very set in her ways, and firmly believes that every child should be sat at a table to work 'properly' - I guess that I just needed a bit of reassurance that I was doing things the right way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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