Organizational

Management Plan
Katie Ellis
Learning Centers in the class

Library Circle Time Blocks Science Art

Sensory Gross Motor Meals Dramatic Play Writing

Puzzles and Cubbies Quiet Cube Rules Expectations

Games
Library

The library is set up with comfortable seating and a

variety of books in English and Spanish. The books
are rotated monthly so the children can maintain
interest in literature. The listening center has
headphones and read along books.
Circle Time

After the first few weeks of school I adjusted my

circle time area to better meet the needs of my
young preschoolers. The area is enclosed to provide
clear boundaries of where children can be. We use a
visual schedule for the whole day and a smaller
schedule for circle time. Children are assigned jobs
within circle time to keep them engaged and
interacting.
Blocks and Building

A designated space for building allows students to

have room to plan, build, un-build, and collaborate.
A poster in the block area reminds students how to
play cooperatively. A variety of building materials
are available to spark creativity.
Science and
Exploration

Science is situated near a natural light source so

children can use tools to explore scientific inquiry in
the natural world. Students are taught how to use
the tools and how to explore their natural
curiosities.
Art Center

There are a variety of art supplies including paper,

paint, markers, crayons, pencils, pens, clue, collage
materials, and 3D art materials. When children
create original pieces of art, we celebrate their hard
work by putting it on display. They have the option
to add it to the art gallery or to take it home.
Sensory

One of the most popular centers in the class are the

sensory centers. Students can choose to immerse
themselves in playdough at the tables or to use the
materials in the sensory tables. They follow the
procedures set in the beginning of the year to make
sure they are keeping the sensory materials safely in
their areas and to keep their clothes clean and dry.
Gross Motor (Gym)

This is the newest area in the class and we are

excited to introduce it to our kids with the exercise
study this month. Students can use this area to
safely exert gross motor energy. With winter coming,
it will be important for students to understand how
to move their bodies purposefully and safely in the
class.
Meal Tables

We spend a big portion of our day at the meal tables

(1.5 hrs) so it has become almost like a second circle
time. We use meal time to connect with students
and allow them to communicate about what is
important to them. We also talk about the question
of the day and healthy eating habits. In the past
students were allowed to serve themselves which
fostered autonomy and healthy eating choices.
Dramatic Play

This is another popular area in the class. Children

explore family and community roles through
sociodramatic play. They socialize and play
cooperatively to create their play world.
Writing Center

The writing center has a variety of materials for

students to either create their own projects or to
work together on bigger projects. Students are
encouraged to use fine motor skills with writing
tools and stickers. They dictate the meaning of their
creations to a teacher so they can see their work has
meaning.
Puzzles and Games

This table is used for puzzles and games. Students

practice persistence through a collection of puzzles
of varying difficulty. This area is also used as a choice
for younger students who cannot maintain attention
at circle time. They are given a timer for how long
they need to engage at circle and when the timer is
done they can quietly transition to the table. When
they are able to maintain their attention for the
whole timer without assistance, they will get a
longer timer.
Cubbies

All personal items are kept in the cubbies. Cubbies

are shared and each child has a labeled bin to put
items in that need to go home from school. Some
students need self regulation items (stuffies or little
personal items) they are kept in the cubby unless
the child needs the items while in the quiet cube to
help them calm.
Safe Place

The safe place is a space that children can use if they

are feeling big emotions (sad, mad, excited…).
Students choose when they need to use it and an
adult helps them identify their feelings and decide
on what they can do to return to calm. When a child
uses the safe place, whatever task they are doing
pauses. When they have returned to calm they
come back to the class and can continue their tasks
(cleaning a mess, playing with friends, eating).
Bee Rules

Clear and simple rules

If the rules are too cluttered and complicated,
students will not be able to follow them. In our
classroom we have clear and simple rules, BE Safe,
BE a Worker, BE Friendly. This first week
students modeled the rules in different areas of the
classroom so we can add pictures to our bee rules
display. We also have circle time rules from Second
Step that go along with a song.
Expectations

In order to maintain a safe environment where students

can play and get the most out of their time at school we
have procedures for entering and transitioning through
areas. Students use their name tags to sign in to a
center. If there are no open sign in spots, then children
need to choose a different place to play. Before moving
to a new areas students must clean up. Students also
use visual reminders from the fair ways to play to help
deal with social problems.
 Visuals
Early learners cannot read and
so they rely heavily on visual
ques to help them understand
expectations. Some of the
visuals I use include daily
schedule, circle time schedules,
handwashing procedures, noise
level, pictures on name tags,
and many more. Some students
require additional support with
individual tasks. We have a
visual supports note book with a
treasure trove of Board Maker
visuals for staff to use to
communicate with these
students. Here are a few
examples.