Classroom Tour: Elementary Resource Room

Welcome to my Elementary Resource Classroom!

My goal as an educator is to make my classroom feel like home! I’ve worked hard to make my resource classroom feel supportive, structured, and welcoming. I strive to create a place where kids know they’re safe and can do their best work. Since I get to teach in small groups, I can really focus on what each student needs, whether that’s a boost in reading, math, or just practicing those all-important social skills. As I’m sure our goals are the same, the main goal is to help my students grow in every way possible. This honestly is one of my favorite parts of the job. So grab your coffee (which I’m sure you have plenty of!) and let me give you a little tour of my classroom. I’ll show you the main spots that we utilize daily and give you a little insight into what we do in the resource setting!

What is the Resource Room?

The resource room is where I pull my students who have IEPs. I am there to give them specially designed instruction in their areas of educational deficits. Most of my students have significant delays in their academic abilities, so they join me in the resource room for the majority of their school day. Most of my students need specially designed instruction in the areas of Reading, Math, Writing, Behavior, Social-Emotional Learning, and Adapted Behavior. Because I serve students of all abilities and disabilities, scheduling can get very tricky! Trying to pull students in accordance with their IEP service delivery times and making sure they don’t miss the core instruction in their gen ed classroom takes a lot of trial and error at the beginning of the year and boy, is it exhausting! But we keep on keeping on, and when we finally get into the groove of things, that’s when we start to see the magic happening!

Calm Down Corner

Above is the calm-down corner. This is one of the most important parts of my resource classroom. The best part about this space is that it is open to anyone! I allow not only my students, but any student who is having a difficult time or just needs a quiet, comforting space for a few minutes. It is so important for students to have a safe space where they can regulate or just be themselves. Most of my students don’t need a timer, but if they do, we have plenty of digital ones located all around the room. Often times, students have a break in the calm-down corner built into their daily schedule or their first-then board.

The Sound Wall

One of the first things you’ll probably notice when you walk into my classroom is our Sound Wall. I love this thing! It’s basically our go-to spot for all things literacy. I’ve got it organized by how the sounds are made in the mouth, with sections like “Stops,” “Nose,” and “Fricatives.” There are even little mouth pictures to show exactly what it looks like when you make each sound, which the students love!

The best part is that the Sound Wall isn’t just for me to use while teaching. After the initial teaching of the sound wall, the kids begin to use it, too. It’s like their cheat sheet. They can walk over and check it out when they’re reading or writing. It gives them a visual anchor to help make those connections. Plus, the bright rainbow letters make it fun and inviting, and the photos make it super concrete for them.

Small Group Area

Right in the middle of my room is my small group table. This is THE SPOT where most of my small-group instruction occurs. The shape makes it easy for me to sit in the middle and connect with each student. I can lean in, check their work, and give support without anyone feeling left out.

And just behind the table is our whiteboard where I jot down our objectives, vocabulary, and standards for the day. To cozy it up a little, I strung some colorful lights around the border. It makes the whole area feel warm and inviting, just like home!

Classroom Storage

Organization is everything in a resource room. Without organization, the whole day would feel chaotic. I’ve got tall rolling cabinets that are my lifesavers. They’re stuffed with all the essentials: manipulatives, writing tools, and random supplies I need on hand. The best part? They’re on wheels, so they double as little dividers to help define different learning spaces in the room. And yes, everything is labeled, because if it’s not labeled, does it even exist? One of my favorite little touches is on the outside of a mirror. I added positive affirmations like “I am smart” and “I am kind.” The kids see those reminders every time they come in, and it’s such an easy way to sprinkle in some encouragement and help them build that growth mindset.

The Classroom Library

And of course, no classroom is complete without a cozy little library corner. Mine is filled with bins of books that are organized by reading level, so students can actually find what they’re looking for without digging through piles. It makes book time feel way less overwhelming and way more inviting.

Right above the shelves, I’ve hung posters with the basics such as shapes, colors, numbers, months of the year, and weather. They act like quick anchor charts the kids can glance at anytime. To make the space feel extra homey, I added some colorful flowers on the wall and a soft lamp in the corner. It gives the whole area a warm, cozy vibe, and honestly, the kids love hanging out there.

Creating a Welcoming Environment

At the end of the day, my biggest goal is for this classroom to feel like a safe, supportive, and celebratory space for my students. I want them to walk in and know this is their place, somewhere they can learn, grow, and be proud of who they are. The bright colors, positive messages, and organized learning centers aren’t just for looks, they’re little reminders that this is a room built for them.

Being a resource room teacher is about more than just providing academic support. It’s about creating a space where students feel comfortable to take risks, make mistakes, and grow at their own pace.

I hope you enjoyed this tour of my classroom! Want to see more? Check out these ten classroom setups!