Introduction: Guide to Classroom Spacing During COVID in 3 Steps

This is a guide on spacing to accommodate for COVID regulations. I separated everyone by 6 feet to follow my current guidelines , but I mention tips to guide you through other distancing specifications. In this guide, I am using the floor plan for the gym which is being turned into a classroom for 27 students, but this will work on any classroom or space as long as there is enough room.

Supplies

Necessary supplies:


  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Floor plan
  • Computer with printer and/or photocopier (to scale image) 
  • Graph paper (I’m using ¼”)
  • Calculator

Step 1: Draw Up a Draft


You must start by measuring the actual classroom walls in feet (12 inches = 1 foot). Write down your measurements on a copy of the floor plan. Don’t forget to plot the doors.



Step 2: Decide the Scale


I am using ¼” graph paper with a scale of 1:144, because every ¼” on my floor plan equals 3 feet in reality. Therefore, if I space students 2 squares (½”) apart, they will be distanced by the required 6 feet. Also, if I alot each student a square, they will be able to have a 3 feet by 3 feet space for their desk and school supplies.


To figure this out for yourself, there are a few factors to consider. What is your Covid 19 distancing requirement? What sized graph paper do you have on hand? Are you able to size your floor plan? Here are a few helpful conversions; you will need to use what works for you.


¼” graph paper:

Scale 1:144 means that each square will equal 3ft (144 / 12 x ¼) 

Scale 1:288 means that each square will equal 6ft (288 / 12 x ¼) 


½” graph paper:

Scale 1:72 means that each square will equal 3ft (144 / 12 x ½)

Scale 1:144 means that each square will equal 6ft (144 / 12 x ½)


… and so on. 

It is about marrying the proper sized graph paper with the building’s floor plan. Once the graph paper is selected, it is about printing the correct sized floor plan and choosing the appropriate scale.



Step 3: Finishing the Job


Now you should plan where the desks should be placed on the graph paper. There is no need to measure the actual desks and chairs, just make sure there is enough room to fit them in the students designated allotted space - 3 feet by 3 feet or 1 square on my plan. You should also measure the distance in between the desks and walls and the distance between the desks from each other. Always be sure to make the measurements precise. You need to make the desks placed in a logical way; here I could not place desks in front of the exits.


You can add any other details like file cabinets, bookcases, etc. Just make sure to have the proper measurements. When your plan is complete, you can use a sharpie on the paper so it is more visible.