Creating a classroom map is a great tool to help manage classroom procedures throughout the day.

I’m sure that your students buddy up during workshops, math and have independent reading book nooks.  Use this classroom management strategy in order to avoid any confusion, and debates as to whose spot is whose.  You know the struggle!

When this happens, send your students to the classroom map and voila! The students have solved their own dilemna instead of arguing with one another. This also frees up your instruction time to manage their learning instead of their disputes!

Introduce the Classroom Map

At the start of the school year, I read aloud Me on The Map by Joan Sweeney and we discuss what a bird’s eye view is. Then I draw the map right in front of the children. They are mesmerized as I turn shapes and symbols into different components of our classroom. We point out where everything is in our classroom to better familiarize them with our classroom space, which we like to call our “home away from home”.

During Reader’s Workshop we choose comfy book nooks as our own special place to read that is just our own. The children’s book, A Quiet Place, by Douglas Wood is the perfect read aloud to encourage the children to choose a spot that is just right for them. We discuss which places are best for independent reading.  For example, under a table would not be a safe place and sitting close to a friend that we like to talk to will not help us build our stamina.

A Color-coded Map Key

As you can see from the Map Key, our labels are color-coded.  I like to use post-its because this allows me the freedom to change their assigned “spots” if they are easily distracted or if they need to be assigned a new Math or Reading Partner. I always set aside extra post-its near the map so they are readily available if I have to switch out partnerships.

It is also helpful for you to display your classroom map out of your students’ reach.  I have had children move the post-its!  Can you believe it?  ;)

There is another great benefit to having a classroom map.  I always make note of the classroom map in my emergency sub plans.  This provides the substitute with the ease of avoiding similar disputes regarding whose spot is whose.

Trust me, you should take the time to simplify your teacher life and create a classroom map!

or pin it for later: