How many of you spend a lot of time at your desk during school hours? I feel that my desk takes up useless space. I teach 2nd grade. I am finishing up my fourth year teaching. I was thinking about completely taking my desk out of the room. I would use my kidney table. My thinking is that it would help keep me organized since I would not have any space to just leave stacks of paper laying around(since I do use my guided reading table daily). I also thought it would make it easier on me when I have to complete running records, reading level, and other testing. What do you see being any other pros or cons to this idea? Has anyone tried this before?
For some teachers that would work... It might work for me... but I'd be worried about where I will leave those stacks of paper that are lying around... Those stacks of paper need a place to go, and I like my desk for that purpose (cause I never sit at it... it's my paper storage spot)
Although I don't use my desk while teaching, I certainly use it after the kids are gone and before they arrive. I guess everyone is diffferent but I don't think I could give up my desk.
Funny that you posted this since I was thinking of doing the same thing. I never sit at it, and I could use the wall space that is behind it for something interactive.
AUSL teachers are not allowed to sit at their desks during instruction time, but I can see them being useful before and after school. I'm working in someone else's classroom at the moment so I've carved out a little corner with a round table that I use. I don't think I will ask for a desk when I lead teach. Just a filing cabinet and some shelf space. I don't mind the round table, and I HATE unnecessary furniture.
I couldn't get rid of my desk, but I'm also secondary. That might make a difference. My SmartBoard computer and document camera are on my desk. I teach from there sometimes, too. I have an audio-enhancement system, and I can see all of my students from my desk as well.
I'm grade 2- RARELY at my desk, but it is where I 'park' my stuff. My plan book, my coffee, my teacher bag...I don't sit there, but I do 'check in' there.
A colleague uses the kidney table as her desk. She has file cabinets behind her chair for storage. It works for her and makes the room "friendlier."
I think I may try it out. If it doesn't work out, I can try bring it back. My plan is to have the kidney table in a corner with a filing cabinet and storage. I want to have baskets for everything so i can bring it out and put it up as needed. I think it will force me to put stuff in its place and stay on top of things.
Yikes! You can find me at my desk before and after school, during recess and lunch, and if I need to do "housekeeping" things (take online attendance, answer emails, etc.) A friend of mine got rid of her desk and regrets it. She uses a kidney table and says that she doesn't like having her computer (and other personal items) sitting on top of her kidney table. I need a desk!
My computer is not at my desk. It is the only computer in my class. So, for my students to take part in AR and for my computer to be hooked up to the internet, I have the computer away from my desk. So that wouldn't be the issue. Also, I don't plan on leaving anything on the table itself, unless I am using it at the moment.
Oh my goodness! You have to share a computer with your kids? I guess I should feel fortunate...I was feeling short-changed because I only have 4 student computers.
You should! LOL. I would love to have more technology. I would be happy with the cable that connects from the tv to the computer so that I could use the computer more with my class. It is hard showing 21 students a picture of something on a small computer screen!
I have also noticed that I'm pressed for space, but I'm not willing to get rid of my desk. :lol: Next year I'm going to try something a little different than I have in the past. I'm going to put the desk against the wall (it is out in the room now) in one corner, and put the kidney table in the same corner, but facing the room so I can use it for groups while teaching.
I've thought about this, too. I've decided that if 1 piece of furniture goes, it has to be the piano!! I do play, but not often enough with the kids to make this a useful part of my classroom. My desk holds all of my supplies, and creates an area just for me. I rarely sit at it while the kids are in the room, but it's nice before and after school to work at.
You've got a piano in your classroom, Miss Scrimmage? There's a lot of talented people on this forum!!!
where will you put your stuff??? I couldn't get rid of my desk. I have a desk in my room and a kidney in the Big Room...boo kidney! I always feel like my kidney is disorganized. I keep everything in my desk: papers, worksheets, attendance and grade book, pencils, red pens etc etc....what about your Smartboard???
I use the last computer on the row of computers that are against the back wall. I keep three binders there (Grade Book, Lesson Plans, and Everything) The Everything holds all those things I need to put my hands on. Then I have a bookshelf for teacher books, resources, and student EIP folders. That's all I need. I move from table to table all day. So I really think the desk will go. I usually give the space to my student teachers to use, but I really could use the wall space behind it.
I love my desk! It is a big L-shaped desk- every teacher has the same kind at our school (school was just built 2 years ago)- on the right is my computer and Elmo (document camera)...on the front is my own space. I need drawers for papers, stickers, paper clips, etc. so that I have easy access to the stuff I need every day! I sit there to grade papers mostly, but I love having my own personal space and knowing where everything is. I also keep an organizer on it with the Spelling list & transparencies for the week and my own copies of student workbooks and textbooks for easy access every day. I would be sad without my desk
I ditched my desk years ago! For awhile I used my kidney table to "park" all my stuff (gradebook, lesson plans, etc) and used desk organizers on the ends for copies and supplies. All my resources fit easily in the closets and file cabinets. When I switched to 5th and had TONS more paperwork, the kidney table turned into a mess.. so now I have a couple areas that I designate as "mine." There's a tiny corner behind my students' mailboxes where I keep lesson plans, binders with testing stuff, resources I use weekly, and all my school supplies. On a rectangular table nearby I have a small organizer with paper clips, pens, etc. and that's where I meet with individual students and groups as well as grade papers. Copies are organized in another space in magazine files to reduce clutter, and that pesky humongous kidney table (which we are required to have in our classrooms) is now holding FOUR computers in the tech corner of my room.
I got rid of mine over the summer and it was the best thing ever. However, I do have my own computer and computer desk. My computer desk is against the wall and has my computer and document camera. I also bought a bunch of clear plastic organizers to put in the open shelf spaces of the computer desk. Then my kidney table is facing out toward the classroom opposite my computer desk. I have a chair on wheels that I can go back and forth from my computer desk and my kidney table with--love it, esp. when I'm working w/ the document camera or with a small group.
I couldn't live w/o my desk! It's where I keep everything! I rarely sit at it during the day unless it's before/after school, at lunch, or during conference.
