Project 1: Classroom Design

V
Metalinguistic
Teacher Smart Board White Board
Connection Wall
Desk

Student
Bilingual
Reading Rug Pairs

Nook Easel

Bean Bag
Student Student
White Board

table table

Kidney
Table

Student Student
table table
Computer
Computer

Bean Bag

Rug
workstations
Daily 5

Couch
Ipads

/Headphones Library v
Global Connection Wall
 The diagram above represents my second-grade one-way dual language classroom for the

2018-2019 school year. Second grade at my school is departmentalized. I teach Reading and

Writing in English. Three of the major components that dictate my classroom organization and

setup are Dual Language, fostering a love of reading and the Literacy by 3 initiative in HISD.

Some of the most important components of the dual language program represented in my

diagram are my multilinguistic connection wall, global connections wall, word wall and bilingual

pairs. These components are essential in my classroom because they help to bridge the two

languages. The multilinguistic connection wall in my classroom helps me to compare and

contrast the languages with the use of cognate words in Spanish and English. I also use it to

explicitly teach patterns in the languages such as suffixes and prefixes. Another component is my

global connection wall which the students use to make connections with the world around them

through unit of study. My word wall has content vocabulary, high frequency words and plenty of

visual. The word wall is placed on a white board in order for my students to be able to accessible

to my students and I make it magnetic in order for them to manipulate the words as needed.

Lastly, I pair up my students by English and Spanish proficiency in order for them to model

language expectations to each other. I try to pair a student who is proficient in English and a

student who is proficient in Spanish. I make a list of the bilingual pairs and make it very visual in

my classroom since I will be adjusting as the students make progress during the year.

I have three classes of about 22 students each which is why it is important to me to keep a

clutter free classroom. I make sure to have multiple inviting spaces in my classroom for students

to read during independent reading time. It is very important for my students to develop a love of

reading which is why I have a reading nook which has pillows and a shaggy rug. I also have a
couch, bean bags and small beach chairs for flexible seating during read to self to time, a

component of Daily fives.

The Literacy By 3 initiative by HISD hopes to ensure that every child is reading at or

above grade level by the end of third grade. In order to achieve this goal, we hope to embed

literacy in all we do. The kidney table in my classroom serves as my small group table where I

meet with a group of students and work with them at their level. This differentiation happens

during interventions, guided reading and guided writing. While I am working with my students

in a small group, the rest of the class is working in Daily fives. Daily fives is made up of read to

self, read to someone, word work, work on writing and listen to reading. These activities are

done in groups. The student library is essential for independent reading time and research

purposes. I organize my library by themes and by guided reading level. My goal is for students to

take charge of their learning and be independent and self-motivated. This is why I make sure my

classroom is designed with their needs in mind.