My Classroom Without Students

I always feel funny posting pictures of my classroom because it is not cute, nor lively, nor exciting.  It is utilitarian, empty without students, and we have space to roam.  Perhaps, though, in its bareness is its beauty.  It is a vessel for learning, waiting for my many students to fill it with personality and life.  The 1 month countdown has begun, another year awaits…

The front display as they come close to the room, most of the day I teach with an open door unless we get loud.

This idea is adapted from the fabulous Jillian Heise who does a picture book a day with her 7th and 8th graders.  I don’t know if we will do one every single day but I plan on doing as many as possible, so of course we need a place to showcase them.

I don’t believe in the power of motivational posters, but this is I believe in, every single day.

An empty bulletin board waiting to be filled with books.  Every staff member at our school has a yellow “Just Read” poster to show students  that we are a community of readers.

On the other side of the door is my “Read this summer” poster.  This was updated as of last week.

This is almost the view from the door, slightly to the left of it.  I have placed tables in pods for now but know that they will be moved however the students see fit when they arrive.  Whatever they need to do with them to make learning accessible works for me.  I love my window so much, most days we leave the light off.  Students flock to sit in the window and read.

View toward my desk.  It is in the corner on purpose; I don’t want to sit behind it away from students.  I work with students at the small round table when needed or they take it over.  I am just starting to show off all of the new picture books.

Also up by the front door, my old rocking chair and easel is where we will gather when we have our mini lessons.  There are bean bags for the students to use, as well as carpet squares.  I don’t ask students to sit on the floor unless they want to, what matters is that we can gather as a group and talk.

 A slightly blurry picture of my non-fiction and graphic novel bookshelves.  I am so excited my school got me these, less excited that I already filled them.


Probably one of the best things about our classroom; the picture books.  How can you not just want to read them all?

There you have it, a tour of an empty classroom, waiting for the students to make it important.

I am a passionate teacher in Oregon, Wisconsin, USA but originally from Denmark,  who has taught 4th, 5th, and 7th grade.  Proud techy geek, and mass consumer of incredible books. Creator of the Global Read Aloud Project, Co-founder of EdCamp MadWI, and believer in all children.  The second edition of my first book “Passionate Learners – How to Engage and Empower Your Students” is available for pre-order now.   Second book“Empowered Schools, Empowered Students – Creating Connected and Invested Learners” is out now from Corwin Press.  Join our Passionate Learners community on Facebook and follow me on Twitter @PernilleRipp.