Classroom Design for Homeschoolers
Making Homeschool for Kids Fruitful
Many homeschoolers will do their daily activities at a kitchen table. If you are blessed with a whole room dedicated to homeschooling here are some nifty ideas.
If you have a room that is specifically dedicated to teaching homeschool lessons than here are some great ideas for classroom design that are targeted for making homeschool for kids fruitful and lively. Create at an atmosphere of learning with these suggestions.
Pull out the Paint
Decorating the homeschool classroom should begin with a simple base coat of paint. Soft neutral colors are best to use for the walls, since you will want your classroom to grow with your children, from month to month and year to year. Because you and your children will be spending a lot of time in this area, you will want to be sure that the paint you chose is of good quality, and easy to clean. A good latex interior paint is recommended.
Classroom Furnishings
Furnishings in the homeschool classroom should be simple as well. Chose durable items which will be able to grow along with your children. Well-made wood furniture is best for desks, tables, and chairs. Each child should have an individual seating area, which allows him/her to focus on their assignments without distractions.
Storage is an essential consideration for the homeschool classroom. Consider freestanding cupboards, or individual shelves - one per child. These will come in handy for organizing and storing each student’s books, papers, and supplies. Consider installing these units at the child’s level, so that he/she has the ability to get their own materials out each day, as well as to put them away.
Additional furnishings for the homeschool classroom could include a computer area (with an organizational system) a small television for classroom videos, a chalkboard, bulletin board, easel (or easels) and/or a dry erase board, microscope and globe.
Lighting is Important
Good lighting is another important factor to consider for the homeschool classroom. Overhead lighting systems are optimal. Having a dimmer switch, so that the brightness of the overhead lights can be adjusted to suit different activities, is the best possible lighting solution. If overhead lighting cannot be achieved, consider having multiple lighting sources and place these in close proximity to where each child will be doing the majority of his/her reading, and writing assignments.
Materials that Match the Lessons
As your curriculum changes, so will your classroom decor. Decorate the classroom area with changeable materials, such as maps, posters that feature current topics of study, and visuals that will stimulate your child’s interest in the subjects you are learning. With this type of decor you will be able to change your classroom’s “look” as often as you and your children like. You will flexibility to decorate for Holidays and special occasions, or to add new materials as you introduce new units of study.
If possible assign each child one wall in your classroom to display his best work. This could include art projects, homework assignments, posters or other completed work your child is proud of. This encourages children to do their best on their work, and also gives them a place to show off what they have accomplished.
Classroom Centers
Another option for the homeschool classroom might be to include “learning areas” in your classroom environment. In this type of arrangement each section of the room is devoted to a single subject of learning. For example a “Reading” area might include soft, cushioned chairs, shelves with an assortment of interesting books, reading posters, and any other items you wish to include which would be related to the subject of “reading.” A Science area, on the other hand, might include hands on Science experiments, along with living plants, and animals, rocks, magnifying glasses, a microscope, telescope and an array of interesting books on Science related topics.
