Physical Environment

In this task I am using a graphic organizer to explore the impact of the physical environment has on a classroom. To begin this I recorded my observations of the classroom I am interning in and drew a picture on a organizer. I am connecting this task to my class readings and my field expereince by going back to the text and researching the physical environment, along with interviewing my CT. Below is a picture of the classroom set up I drew. I like this set up, as it includes a whole group meeting area, space for movement, display boards, centers for playtime, a library, and it can work for both group work and independent work! I want my classroom to be like the one below as it is easy to manage.

In The First Six Weeks of School By Roxann Kriete and Paula Denton, the authors write to “create a climate of warmth, inclusion, and safety” in a classroom. The physical environment that my CT has set up is created to make this climate. In conversation with my CT, I asked her why the classroom was set up the way it is (see picture). She said that she has her students sit in tables for collaboration and to foster a spirit of unity. She makes sure that students have space to walk and play in the class in regards to safety. The teacher can easily see the students at their tables from her seats in the classroom and works with them at the tables during seat work. This helps in forming a positive teacher-student relationship. She wants her classroom be a loving place so she displays some of their work and all of their names on bulletin boards around the room.

In Classroom Spaces that Work, the authors state that the whole meeting area of a classroom is of “central importance”. I feel like this is pivotal to know as a future teacher. My CT has the whole meeting area of her classroom be a space for learning, studying, playtime, and more. Without this area, I believe the class would not thrive as much as they do. The text goes on to say that the space should "be inviting,spacious and well defined". My CT sets up her classroom to include a whole group meeting area with these characteristics. The teachers uses it for reading aloud to the students, math worksheets, and even dancing. This space is welcoming and inviting. The students have room to spread out and work alone; however it is easy for them to turn and talk and work together. The spaces works well for collaborative learning as students can sit knee-to-knee together. I want to have a space like this in my classroom. My CT also has the students sit in the whole meeting area where she uses the smart board. This helps get students engaged and actively learning. Like I said before, students dance in this place. I think movement is important in the classroom, and students need a space where they can stretch and wiggle their bodies. If permitted, I want to set up my classroom meeting area like my CT does as I have seen how well it works.

I do not have many questions regarding the way the classroom is set up, as I understand the set up. My CT does not have a science center in the classroom, aside from the sand box. I think a science center will foster inquiry in a classroom. I am wondering how I want to incorporate a science center in my future classroom. One concern I do have is how to get all resources my CT has like fun tables, games, and extra supplies in the classroom. My CT’s classroom is visually appealing and full of posters she got on her own. I want to start building my collection now as I want my classroom to be full of resources that can help my students and aid them in discovery. Overall, I am glad I completed this task. It helped me make connections and learn more about making a physical space for students. The organizer I used is now a tool I can refer back to when I create my own room. I feel more prepared to create my own classroom now.

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