Arranging the classroom is a very thorough topic. The layout should begin with the floor, which includes the desks, computers, center areas, and any other furniture in your classroom. These things should be set first because there are things, like computer wiring, that is not easy to move. Once these pieces are set, everything else can be worked around it. The desks should be placed in rows for the first day, because you do not know the dynamics of your students to place them in groups. It is also important to place things like pencil sharpeners, paper, and other supplies that students will need access to in a place that is easy to reach and not in a place that will cause distractions. The flow of the classroom should be set in a way that students will not get into trouble. Computer screens should always be visible to the teacher, and all students should be within the teacher's vision at all times. As far as the walls are concerned, bulletin boards are helpful but should not be overwhelming and distracting. Rules should be posted somewhere in the room, and other important information can be displayed at the teacher's discretion. All of these elements will help the teacher to run an effective classroom.

Make sure that you can always get to every student. I like pods, but it is great for think, pair, share. I also like the double U or half circles with the carpet at the front in the middle.

I would arrange my classroom in group rows. This makes it easy for student to have their focus on the front of the room, but when it is time for collaboration, student are already in a group and they can turn their desks on their own.

This is a very complex question and something that needs to be addressed in the beginning of the year and then multiple times after to see what works for your set of students and the particular lessons they are working on.

My classroom arrangement of desks will be a living entity, ever changing, and never predictable. I plan to keep in mind student traffic and view of all the students.