Get Inspired! Past #HackYourClassroom Submissions
By room2learn
Earlier this year, room2learn partnered with NAC Architecture to inspire (and reward!) teachers for hacking their space. This fall, we are working with DLR Group and Quattrocchi Kwok Architects to present a back-to-school round of #HackYourClassroom! We know many of you spend lots of time rethinking, redesigning, and revamping your classroom space, so here’s a chance to showcase your creative classroom designs to the world. You’ll be receiving feedback from our esteemed panel of judges to ensure your space works for your students. Submit your entries by Halloween (next Tuesday, October 31st).
To help get your creative juices flowing, here are some of the classroom designs and hacks from the last contest. Let’s take a look!
Multipurpose Tables
At room2learn, we encourage teachers to transform classrooms through DIY and creative hacks. One teacher created this dry erase table by repurposing an old table and covering it with dry-erase contact paper. Converting the table not only adds additional space for students to work on, but also promotes student engagement and collaboration. Students are flexible to choose where and how they want to work. There are a few ways to get a writeable table surface, this example is one of the most cost effective that we’ve seen!
Choice Seating
Flexible seating options were a crowd favorite in the last contest round. As we discussed in our blog on movement breaks in the classroom, it is important to realize that all students are individuals with different needs. Not everyone learns best sitting in a chair! So it’s important for students to have options. In this Central Valley School District first grade classroom, teacher Analisa hacked her book organization and seating to foster a love of reading. Having tried a variety of different shelving options, she found these utility shelves from Walmart, which were great to organize books. While learning to read is important, she also wanted to create comfortable seating for the students with a variety of seating options.
Here are two other examples of incorporating different types of seating in the classroom. Moonjen from Selah School district provides options like stability balls in a third grade classroom. These are also often used by students for quiet reading.
Rikki Stenson from Auburn School district spruced up her room with colorful choice seating — stools, folding chairs, bean bag chairs, and cushions. These give kids different options for individual quiet time and socializing.
Portable Makeover
We also received a submission transforming a bland space into a themed classroom with this portables redesign. To start, the walls were covered with plank board paper to create a “cabin” and cozy vibe. Also, outdoor pillows were used for soft seating and also back support on DIY recliners (simply flipping chairs over). Students feeling fidgety? Why not add foot bands on desks for some wiggle time? This teacher even added a rustic touch by decorating the classroom vintage fishing poles and bike wheels.
Neat, Neat, Neat!
Lastly, we wanted to feature Mrs. Hopkin’s math classroom design at Chief Moses Middle School. Mrs. Hopkins has set up classroom calendars with deadlines around the classroom so students can always be up to date with school work. She also used the built-in shelving to organize classroom materials based on activity type.
There are many ways that teachers and educators are changing their classroom so that students can learn in a more friendly, comfortable and productive space. Now it’s your turn to show us!
Share your creative classroom hack for a chance to win $200 for your classroom! Enter the #HackYourClassroom competition by October 31. Enter here: www.room2learn.org/hack.
