Teachable Moments
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Space Your Space
Space is a valuable commodity for anyone who is designing the best environment for their clientele. Restaurants, offices, hospitals, grocery stores, department stores, and churches are examples of space efficient businesses.
The importance of space in a classroom cannot be understated in terms of creating a positive and viable learning environment.
As I visit classrooms in a variety of content areas, I am struck by the arrangement that teachers have designed for themselves and the students.
Recently, I was in a classroom that had the students' desks pushed against the walls with a huge space in the middle of the room.
In another classroom, the teacher built a "fortress" in the middle of the classroom. The teachers' desk was surrounded by tables, bookshelves and rolling trays to stave off any child who tried to approach the teacher. The students were crowded into a very small space with their desks arranged in the minimal space remaining after the teacher created this "fortress".
It was an interesting sight to find another room with tables, lamps, and two large teacher desks at the front and back of the room. This allowed the teacher to sit down near the whiteboard (front) or near the computer (back). The teacher rarely stands during the entire instructional day!
Happily, I have also seen classrooms that are well-organized with students seated in pods or other configurations that allow for friendly interactions with the teacher and their peers, access to supplies, pencil sharpener or textbooks/workbooks. The teacher/students can easily move around the room and create a learning environment that is comfortabe for all. Some of the teachers have reading corners with pillows, a throw rug, comfortable chairs and/or bean bags.
Be mindful of the way you space your space! It can positively impact the success of your instructional program.
The importance of space in a classroom cannot be understated in terms of creating a positive and viable learning environment.
As I visit classrooms in a variety of content areas, I am struck by the arrangement that teachers have designed for themselves and the students.
Recently, I was in a classroom that had the students' desks pushed against the walls with a huge space in the middle of the room.
In another classroom, the teacher built a "fortress" in the middle of the classroom. The teachers' desk was surrounded by tables, bookshelves and rolling trays to stave off any child who tried to approach the teacher. The students were crowded into a very small space with their desks arranged in the minimal space remaining after the teacher created this "fortress".
It was an interesting sight to find another room with tables, lamps, and two large teacher desks at the front and back of the room. This allowed the teacher to sit down near the whiteboard (front) or near the computer (back). The teacher rarely stands during the entire instructional day!
Happily, I have also seen classrooms that are well-organized with students seated in pods or other configurations that allow for friendly interactions with the teacher and their peers, access to supplies, pencil sharpener or textbooks/workbooks. The teacher/students can easily move around the room and create a learning environment that is comfortabe for all. Some of the teachers have reading corners with pillows, a throw rug, comfortable chairs and/or bean bags.
Be mindful of the way you space your space! It can positively impact the success of your instructional program.