I will be in a new classroom this year – same school, same classes to teach, but I’m moving three floors down. I saw the new room for the first time today. I don’t have a desk (yet). I’m actually wondering if I can make that a feature. Looking at my desk right now, I don’t always make the best use of that space. So maybe not having it would force me to change some habits.
I also have very little usable chalkboard space. I do have a smartboard that I’ll spend some time getting to know. I’m trying to think about how that could make for a different kind of classroom dynamic. I might use a lot of giant post it sheets to be able to show charts or make illustrations on the fly.
I will be looking forward to breathing much less chalk dust.
It also looks like there’s a textbook shortage at the moment. Trying to think of how I can use that as an opportunity. Maybe combined with the smart board, I can make more use of current events, news videos, and so on.
It’ll be interesting, that’s for sure. I’m counting on this year being a shakeup year. Looks like the environment is providing me with the opportunity.