Supportive Classrooms

Several factors contribute to a successful classroom that promotes learning. One of the easiest things to overlook is the overall classroom environment. The way that the classroom is arranged, along with the items in the room are  significant components to student learning. The way that the classroom is arranged can set a welcoming tone that is inviting and helps children to feel like they belong. Over the past several years, I have had the chance to set up my own classrooms, see classrooms of colleagues, and attend trainings on optimal classroom environments; I have gained a preference of how a classroom environment should look. After doing research on several occasions about what makes a quality classroom environment, and reflecting on my own experiences, the following classrooms have components of what makes a supportive classroom environment.

Mira Costa College- Child Development Center- Preschool Room

http://www.miracosta.edu/instruction/childdevelopmentcenter/centertour.html

On first glance, this classroom is open and inviting. It looks clean and organized. Centers are clearly defined and labeled. Items are within reach of the children, and the children are represented within the classroom with photos as well as their art work. From this picture alone, it is difficult to tell if the centers are grouped together based on if they are a loud or quiet center, but the dramatic play area is near the art center which could both be potentially louder areas.

TriBeCa Community School- Preschool

http://progressiveearlychildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2010/05/beautiful-learning-spaces-in-reggio.html

This first thing that stands out to me in this classroom are how engaged all of the children are. The colors in the classroom are natural colors, which creates a calming effect. It looks like items are within reach for the children to access. Children are represented within the classroom with photographs. The tube that is attached to the wall looks like it is something that the children are interested in, and has open-ended possibilities. The overall look is clean, organized and inviting.

Ms. Powell’s First Grade Class

http://mspowell.com/newpics/jonesgr1classroom.jpg

Several of the preschool classrooms that I looked through were very cluttered, over stimulating, and full of teacher/commercially produced items. This classroom has a lot of teacher made items, but it is not visually over-stimulating. The students desks are grouped together to promote student to student collaboration. From this picture you can some clearly defined centers: computers, reading,  and it looks like there is some sort of manipulatives table in the center. The room appears very organized. The bulletin board is appears to be a word wall that students can utilize as a resource.

Ms. Yaris’s Class- Elementary School

http://literacy-builders.blogspot.com/2010/09/embracing-change-decision-to-go.html

 

This classroom is an interesting school aged classroom because it has no desks. The way that this room is set up is optimal for student to student interaction. Instead of desks there are round tables which allows for children to collaborate with one another. Most of the colors in the classroom are colors from nature, which creates a calming effect, and prevents overstimulation. The couch and rugs create a homey feel. The materials in the room are within the students reach, and are clearly labeled so the organization is able to be maintained. There are clearly defined centers; there appears to be a library center, a listening center, a large group area, and a couple of areas that could be multipurpose.