The Classroom Connection
July 2026
Small Seeds, Big Impact
What do you hope your classroom feels like?
Calm? Organized?
Engaged? Respectful?
Predictable? Collaborative?
Now consider this...
What experiences will help students create that classroom?
If you want a calm classroom, model calmness and establish predictable routines.
If you want an organized classroom, teach students how materials, time, and responsibilities are managed.
If you want an engaging classroom, intentionally plan opportunities for every student to think and participate.
If you want a respectful classroom, model, teach, and reinforce what respectful interactions look and sound like.
If you want a predictable classroom, create consistent routines—and follow through with them every day.
If you want a collaborative classroom, explicitly teach students how to work together, communicate, and contribute to a team.
The classroom you envision in October is built by the experiences you create in August.
The norms you hope to see later are the ones you intentionally teach, model, practice, and reinforce today.
Seating Arrangements
Looking for a way to arrange your classroom? Watch this video to learn about some aspects of classroom arrangement.
Seating Chart Templates
Make classroom arrangement a piece of cake with these seating chart templates from Canva!
27 Ways to Optimize Your Classroom Design for Better Learning
Discover practical, research-based classroom design ideas that support learning, reduce distractions, encourage independence, and create an environment where students can thrive.
Through a Student's Eyes
- Can a first-time student immediately tell where to go and what to do first?
- Can students independently access the materials and resources they need?
- Can every student clearly see the screen, board, agenda, learning targets, and expectations from anywhere in the room?
- Does the room support smooth movement, collaboration, and efficient transitions?
- Would a student know how class begins, how it ends, and what to do during transitions?
- Does the environment answer students' questions before they have to ask them?
First Week Challenge!
✔ Learn every student's name (and pronounce it correctly).
✔ Greet every student at the door, every day.
✔ Make five positive contacts home before making your first behavior call.
✔ Help every student leave the week believing, "My teacher knows me, and I'm glad to be here."
Jacob Tijerina
K-12 IST / Instructional Coach
NISD Office of Professional Learning
(210) 397-7927