Setting up an Elementary Classroom Tips

Here are some tips and considerations for setting up an elementary classroom. You will want to start planning on setting up your elementary classroom as soon as you know details like the grade and subject you are teaching and the number of students in your class. Learn these tips for setting up your elementary classroom below! 


Setting up an Elementary Classroom Tips

Setting up an Elementary Classroom- What to Consider

  • Size of your class 

  • Desk arrangement 

  • Where will furniture be placed?

  • Where will you do your lessons? 

  • Where will your desk be? 

  • Where will you store supplies?

  • What do you want accessible to students?

  • Where will the students store their items?

  • What anchor charts will you use?

  • What will you put on bulletin boards?

  • How will you display student work?

  • How will you make your classroom inviting?

  • Where will a student go if they are feeling frustrated?

  • What is the schedule like for your students?



Classroom Routines in an Elementary Classroom

Think about the following routines and what expectations do you want for your students? Depending on their grade level there may be more expectations. Without routines it’s easy for your students to be disrespectful and your classroom to feel and look chaotic.

  • Morning routine - are you doing a morning meeting or when are you doing a class meeting?

  • Dismissal time 

  • Clean up time 

  • Lunch time 

  • Getting ready for recess

  • Transitioning between classes 

  • Participating in discussions

  • Asking to go to the bathroom or leaving the classroom

  • Computer and technology use

  • Handing in their work 

  • Keeping their belongings organized 

  • What does a student do if they finish their work early?


Early Finisher Task Ideas

It’s good to think of tasks for early finishers because there will always be a student who finishes before everyone else. Having some of these activities prepared based on grade level before school starts will help everything run smoothly.



Download FREE symmetry here for grades 4-6!

FREE insect symmetry for middle school - click here and FREE school supplies symmetry- click here

  • Zentangle drawing worksheets - click here 

  • Building with Lego or other blocks 

  • Writing a journal entry 

  • Practicing weekly spelling with fun art pages! 

  • Researching a topic they are interested in and presenting it to the class 

  • Cleaning the classroom/being a teacher helper

  • Helping a peer with their work 


Save more by buying the best seller bundle! (for grades 1-12!)



Click on any of the links above to check out the early finisher tasks mentioned. Be sure to follow me on TPT by clicking on the button below to check out my FREE and other art resources!