Submitted by Connie M. Soles, Hampton, Virginia
Idea posted March 24, 2006
The following is a list of reasons to give your administration as to why you need/deserve your own room:
First of all, put the slant on the children and not yourself. The children lose too much instruction time when you have to move from class to class. It is nearly impossible to stay on schedule. When you have a room, you can have the music books and small instruments in place under the chairs. Just passing out these items can kill 5-10 minutes of instruction.
Second, the teacher whose room you are in has this time as their planning time and will likely be moving around the room and distracting the students. Also, some teachers resent that you are in "their" space. Many teachers like to play their favorite music and drink a cup of coffee, and you prevent a break when you are in their room.
Third, classes usually have desks that inhibit any movement activity that you have planned. It takes time to move desks, and doing so usually gets the kids all stirred up.
Fourth, if you need board space, there usually isn't any. Many teachers leave the daily work on the board, and you aren't allowed to erase anything.
Fifth, it is good for the students to get out of their classroom and move to your class. A change in scenery is usually advantageous for wiggly children.
Of course, this on-the-cart routine is very tiring for you. It limits some of the great lessons you could do when you can preset your room. As the year progresses, you may find yourself taking shortcuts just to cut down on all the materials you must move.
I usually have the early bus riders come to my room and pass out books, instruments, and handouts. In some cases, this is used as a reward for problem children who need that extra attention. Sometimes I set up a plan for a child to come be "my helper" if they behave in their class. None of this is possible without your own room.
Lastly, you may make too much "noise" for the students in nearby classrooms who may be testing. This again limits the variety of activities that you can offer.