The Classroom Environment
(The classroom environment can play a massive role in students learning. A well designed classroom has the ability to encourage students to be themselves, take risks, and to build trust and develop self-confidence, these all leading to a successful learning environment. To ensure your students are in their best learning environment have a look around your classroom and ask yourself "is my classroom appropriate and accessible for all students?". To start assessing this question go through Dr.Tracy Riley's checklist below for both the physical layout of your classroom, and the social/emotional feel, and see what else you could do.
You will know the physical layout of your classroom is inclusive when;
You will know the social/emotional environment is inclusive when;
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Open space for reading, writing, drawing, etc.
Morning routine - authentic name writing practice, also works well for attendance!
Appropriately sized furniture.
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Computer centre, inclusive of appropriate furniture and headphones to not distract others.
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Kitchen and role play centre.
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Construction centre.
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If your classroom is not meeting some of these criteria, try to alter your classroom so that it does. A few things that myself and Education & Communities suggest you try to do are;
- Make the classroom inviting and safe
- Have colours around the classroom to capture their attention and support their learning
- create sensory and play areas
- arts and craft centre, dress up centre, kitchen, writing space, reading nook, building corner, etc.
- provide materials that reflect a variety of cultures and home settings
- label items for easy access for all students
- Modify your classroom equipment, furniture, and learning spaces to be accessible by all your students
- create flexible learning spaces
- have different learning levels - on the floor, in seats, on couches, etc.
- vary the places where learning occurs – in the classroom, outside, playground, library, computer lab, etc.
- use alternative seating - couches, pillows, desks, floor, stools, ect.
- Know your students
- create a shared partnership with them, their families, and the community
- understand their interests and motivations
- Create a safe and effective learning environment
- make sure there are places in the room to work quietly and without distraction as well as places that invite student collaboration
- set out clear guidelines for independent work that matches individual needs
- develop routines that allow students to get help when teachers are busy with other students and cannot help them immediately
- help students understand that some learners need to move around to learn while others do better sitting quietly
- identify classroom management procedures that would make the learning environment safe or more supportive(Department of Education & Communities, 2015)