Many new teachers walk in to their own classroom for the very first time and are faced with a major decision…”How do I arrange the room?!” It is widely debated which classroom arrangement works best and why or how each arrangement affects students and their learning. There are pros and cons to each type of set up and classroom environment and this paper discusses them.
Does the Classroom Environment Affect Learning?
Through my research I have found that the arrangement of a classroom greatly effects learning in the classroom, especially amongst young children. There are many different options when it comes to classroom arrangements to choose from that any class could benefit from. According to Mary Bigelow (2010) of NTSABlog, “No single seating arrangement is ‘best’-each has advantages and disadvantages.” Bigelow (2010) also states to “ logistically determine the focal points of the classroom (e.g. whiteboard or projection screen, demonstration table) and be sure that your arrangement allows students to see presentations.” The most important thing to remember while arranging the class is to ensure that it facilitates and encourages learning rather than distracts and takes attention away from the teacher.
According to Jonathan C. Erwin, author of The classroom of choice: Giving students what they need and getting what you want, “Whether you are a teacher, a coach, or in any position in which you work with young people, you are first and foremost a manager.” The teacher, as the classroom manager, is solely responsible for the classroom environment. Erwin (2004) states, “Teachers manage the learning space, time, materials, and the mental, physical, and emotional states of individuals, partners, small groups, and large groups. Eff...
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...e classrooms suit the needs for every type of student. According to an article by Ann Schimke (2013):
“A 2011 study in the American Journal of Public Health found that first-graders with standing desks chose to stand about two-thirds of the time…In addition, teachers surveyed in the study noted that students using the standing desks were more alert and attentive and demonstrated less disruptive behavior.”
In conclusion, it is clearly evident from my research that the arrangement of a classroom greatly affects students and their learning. While no arrangement seems to be the “best” it is important to figure out which style works best depending on the class and any needs particular students may have, whether it be a traditional classroom arrangement, a discussion classroom arrangement, horseshoe classroom arrangement, or an alternative classroom arrangement.
Creating and Maintaining an efficient classroom environment for students can be a difficult task to accomplish. With the amount of distractions and behavioral issues teacher encounter on a daily basis, it becomes essential to prepare and try to prevent them. Our goal for students is for them to receive the most optimal opportunity for learning while spending minimal time disciplining and managing. In order to do so we must hold ourselves accountable as teachers for establishing order and also the students accountable for their own actions. If a good classroom environment is set up, I believe students can learn effectively without feeling restricted. Although students can be unpredictable and not all strategies are proven to work, the efforts made towards creating this environment are what produce a difference.
In my twelve years of teaching experience, one thing that most of my colleagues have struggled with at some point in their career has been classroom management. Classroom management is one many keys to instructional success. Unfortunately, many have left the teaching field due to lack of knowledge of classroom management best practices.
According to the “STAR SHEET – Effective Room Arrangement” teachers should follow 4 strategies that help them to set up the classroom rules, procedures and arrangements. Minimizing distractions, maximizing access, matching arrangement, and movement with ease make possible a better environment for students and teacher. These strategies will help the teacher to have control over the students and reduce misbehaving. In the case study, these four students will be located in the following order.
He drew a diagram on the board of a typical classroom set up found in most any classroom in the United States. He stressed that this layout is most convenient to only one person, the school janitors. He said it is easy to clean, but creates problems for the classroom teachers. He suggested that there is not one set layout for classrooms, because of room size, furniture makeup, and etc. He said the most important thing in room arrangement is to create great flow with minimal "cost" to the teacher. He stresses that teachers need to be able to exert the minimal amount of effort to reach all students. The cost refers to the amount of energy exerted by the teacher.
I had to keep in mind how the arrangement of the room can either help or a hinder student’s productivity. Some my research included how to promote good communication in a classroom between a teacher and their students. This also included the benefits of creating an environment with more open communication a student and their
Our classroom has three rectangle tables and one trapezoid shaped table, and the students sit at these everyday when working on classwork or projects. We also have a big rectangular rug in the front of the room; this rug is split into five rows with four squares in each row, allowing twenty kids to sit on the rug comfortably. The rest of the students sit on the sides of the rug where there is extra room. While on the rug the students will typically either face the rocking chair, which is beside it or the Smart Board, which is located in the front of the room. In our classroom we have a home living area, a cozy library corner, and crates full of books, which are easily accessible by the students. The room is very large which allows for easy group transitions, and smooth traveling around the room to get daily supplies. The walls in our room are covered with student’s work, anchor charts, and colorful posters with content related information on them. This creates an attractive classroom and sets a positive tone for the environment. In our classroom we have two sets of cubby shelves, the one shelf by the door consists of cubbies for each
The classroom that I observed in was arranged in a simple way. In the dramatic play center there was a long coat rack and each hook was labeled with an image and name of the outfit. This was done so the children know where do place the clothing when they are done with it or cleaning up. Also in this center was a cash register, puppets, an oven, refrigerator, ironing board, sing, dishwasher, a table set and a comfy chair. Their block center was small, and sectioned off by a shelf and an arch way in the corner of the room. In this center there was also a table. I felt that they children would not have enough room to build although I did not measure the area. The art center had stamps, children’s art work, an easel, magazines and other essential art supplies. In the same area as the art center was the writing center. In this center was maps, chalk and chalk board, stencils, a ruler, notepads, loose paper and pencils.
When I first walked into my classroom at Pine Meadow Elementary, I was greeted by a group of curious faces staring back at me, all seated in a circle on the floor. I volunteered in a first grade classroom with the main teacher, Mrs. Stainbrook, along with three other adults. We had Mrs. Nelson, a paraprofessional for some of the students; Mrs. Voigt, a student teacher; and the occasional parent that liked to volunteer. So the children in that classroom never had a shortage of help and attention. Most days the children would start off with a math lesson that was followed by a time for snack, and then the kids would head to gym and music. The first thing I noticed as I walked in the classroom was how the desks were grouped together like pods,
Since the early 1200’s when the first university opened its doors in Italy, the trend manifested its way towards the United States with Harvard University in the 1600’s. Even though the basic classroom consisted of some desks, a teacher front and center, and little ones eager for recess and masters of eye avoiding, it has evolved heavily with great detail. “Changing the physical structure of a classroom is one way to alter the environment of a classroom…support the interactive environment of group work, which allows students to control their own learning and presents them with direct feedback in the learning process.” ( Mary Ann Polityka.) Classrooms of higher education serve now as room of learning and focus. It may not seem like the basic settings of education and the individuals within effect how students learn, but it greatly impacts each and every one of them.
The seating, temperature, lighting, and noise around us can affect our brains. Thus, it is imperative to ensure before every lesson that our teaching environment is comfortable. I support a welcoming i classroom. I enforce class rules to respect one and another. All my students should feel safe and secure in my class. I also arrange my seating in a semi-circle or circle to create an environment that promotes discussion. I want to ensure my students feel comfortable asking questions and participating. Furthermore, I keep the classroom light and bright by opening the blinds to let in the natural light from outside. After all, studies have shown “students in brightly lit classrooms perform better in school compared with students in dimly lit classrooms” (Jensen, 2005, Pg
The classroom embodied the stereotypical music classroom with its various instruments scattered around the room. Every inch of the wall and door was covered with music notes while chairs encircled the room. Besides the teacher’s desk, there were no other desks in sight. The students had to sit on the ground in the center of the room away from the instruments. Even when playing instruments, the students sat on the ground. Although the setup was very different from a general classroom, it was appropriate for the kinds of lessons that the teacher taught the students. The teacher did not hand out any worksheets or assigned homework so the students did not need any desks for writing. Since the classroom was already small and cramped, having desks in the class would have impeded on the activities that the students performed.
Many teachers believe classrooms are too small. Many teachers and students believe classrooms are not big enough. If students are working on a group activity that takes up a lot of space will have to do activity in the hallway. If students are watching a film for class will have to move or adjust because most likely students in the back of the classroom cannot see. Teachers may not have enough desks some students may end up sitting in a part of the room where it could be the size of a coat closet.
The physical classroom environment is designed to promote collaborative learning and group work. To address the issue of inattentiveness whereby the students are not doing their work, we can arrange to have inattentive students to sit with more attentive students such that the positive peer influence can help the child focus better. To better engage students, this seating arrangement allows for small group activities to help students to take a break from the didactic teaching style and apply the knowledge they have learned in the lesson.
During the first day of school, a variety of different students enter the classroom. These students are excited and nervous, they have their parents by their sides who are observing the classroom walls and arrangement. From the minute the students enter the classroom, students are observing the classroom environment and notice the everything. Everything in the classroom needs to have a purpose, but provide a pleasant environment. When preparing and organizing the classrooms, teachers need to consider the different variables that impact the classroom. Classrooms can be disorganized if the walls are cluttered and have no meaning The organizations of the desks, the wall decorations, and the seating arrangements significantly impact the physical environments. Students are like sponges, they soak up everything that surrounds them. In the article A comparison of actual and preferred classroom environments as perceived by middle school students in the Journal of School Health stated “studies have shown that classroom environments are closely related to a number of aspects of student
The quality of the classroom setting is one characteristic of school environment that promotes positive outcomes for students. The climate of the classroom is seen as a major determinant of the behaviour and learning of students. It contributes to the academic success of students and predicts the degree to which they participate in learning, how consistently they attend school, how attentive they are in class, how carefully they complete assignment and how committed they are to staying in school and doing well (Doll, 2014). The classroom is accepting, caring, respectful, the atmosphere is honest and the teacher is positive, actively motivate students to learn, expect that students will succeed in school and in life and use effective tea...