#175 Set-up (literally) the Classroom for Success

#175 Set-up (literally) the Classroom for Success

Author: Jacob Chastain & Pam Ochoa January 12, 2024 Duration: 0:00

Welcome everyone to the Craft & Draft podcast! We are so excited to bring you what we love, talking with you about workshop, literacy, writing, reading, and real world teaching. 

In this episode, Jacob and Pam dive into how to set-up a classroom.  Jacob explains how a teacher places the desks will make a difference in how learning takes place. He asks, ‘Why do teachers often resort to rows rather than other arrangements?”  Pam responds with the positives and negatives of rows in the classroom.

Both of them agree that structure is important to maintaining a solid workshop, but structure does not necessarily mean rigid.  They each share why they have organized their rooms in the manner that they have chosen.  They both share how they have made changes along the way.

Join Jacob and Pam as they discuss how to set-up the classroom for success!  Maybe you will get a few ideas that you can try, too!

The post #175 Set-up (literally) the Classroom for Success appeared first on Craft & Draft.


Jacob Chastain, from Teach Me, Teacher, and Pam Ochoa, an Abydos trainer, bring their combined classroom and coaching experience to every conversation on Craft & Draft. This isn't a theoretical lecture; it's a practical dialogue built on their specific Craft & Draft approach, designed to make the reading-writing workshop model work in real secondary classrooms. You'll hear them unpack the nuances of workshop teaching, from structuring effective mini-lessons to facilitating meaningful student conferences. They delve into the intentional separation of craft study and drafting time, offering actionable strategies for fostering independent, engaged writers and readers. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair in the teachers' lounge with two insightful colleagues who aren't afraid to discuss the challenges and celebrate the breakthroughs. The podcast serves as a steady resource for educators looking to move beyond theory and into the day-to-day reality of building a dynamic literacy workshop. Tune in for honest reflections, concrete examples, and the collective wisdom of two practitioners dedicated to refining their craft alongside their listeners.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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