The setup of a classroom is crucial to how well students learn and behave. I've had my personal experiences with awful and amazing classroom setups, and it truly shows how the students are affected.
The awful classroom was one in which everyone sat at pentagonal tables that caused some students to have their backs to the teacher. The room was also very crowded which made it hard to get from one side to the other. The bookbags and personal items everywhere made it even harder.
A classroom I had a good experience with was one in which desks were arranged in rows and there were many reading corners for students to go read in, or even sometimes work on projects in. I love the use of floors in a class.
I combined elements that I liked and didn't like from both these classrooms to create my ideal classroom. Starting from the back of the room (the left), you have a "media center" consisting of at least two computers for students to use. This is ideal in any classroom for students to do research, find images, or even record themselves if it is a language classroom (which I hope for mine to be). On the far wall you notice that there are two big windows -I love to always be able to see outside. The use of natural light helps the students feel as if they're not trapped at school.
The desks are arranged in two rows of two desks. This way students always have a partner to work with. This arrangement also creates easy path ways throughout the classroom. To make it even easier, there are two Coat and Bookbag areas which include hooks and small cabinets for basic storage of student's personal items while they are in class. Next to this area is a giant bulletin board to hang students' work and announcements, that way students always know what is going on.
On the right side, which is the front of the classroom, you have a smartboard and projector as well as a smaller portable white board. There is a podium for students and the teacher to do presentations at. In the corner of the front area lies the teacher's desk; I nice large one that also has a view of all of the students.
My favorite part of the classroom is the reading / lounge area. This comfortable space allows students to relax while enjoying a book, working on class work, or studying material. The basic rule for this area is if I catch you sleeping, you are banned from the lounge.
The reason I have this set up the way I do is to focus on comfort. I feel that to learn properly, students must feel comfortable in a classroom, that way they will feel comfortable sharing ideas, challenging themselves, and expanding their learning. I think this is the perfect layout for that to happen in.
The awful classroom was one in which everyone sat at pentagonal tables that caused some students to have their backs to the teacher. The room was also very crowded which made it hard to get from one side to the other. The bookbags and personal items everywhere made it even harder.
A classroom I had a good experience with was one in which desks were arranged in rows and there were many reading corners for students to go read in, or even sometimes work on projects in. I love the use of floors in a class.
I combined elements that I liked and didn't like from both these classrooms to create my ideal classroom. Starting from the back of the room (the left), you have a "media center" consisting of at least two computers for students to use. This is ideal in any classroom for students to do research, find images, or even record themselves if it is a language classroom (which I hope for mine to be). On the far wall you notice that there are two big windows -I love to always be able to see outside. The use of natural light helps the students feel as if they're not trapped at school.
The desks are arranged in two rows of two desks. This way students always have a partner to work with. This arrangement also creates easy path ways throughout the classroom. To make it even easier, there are two Coat and Bookbag areas which include hooks and small cabinets for basic storage of student's personal items while they are in class. Next to this area is a giant bulletin board to hang students' work and announcements, that way students always know what is going on.
On the right side, which is the front of the classroom, you have a smartboard and projector as well as a smaller portable white board. There is a podium for students and the teacher to do presentations at. In the corner of the front area lies the teacher's desk; I nice large one that also has a view of all of the students.
My favorite part of the classroom is the reading / lounge area. This comfortable space allows students to relax while enjoying a book, working on class work, or studying material. The basic rule for this area is if I catch you sleeping, you are banned from the lounge.
The reason I have this set up the way I do is to focus on comfort. I feel that to learn properly, students must feel comfortable in a classroom, that way they will feel comfortable sharing ideas, challenging themselves, and expanding their learning. I think this is the perfect layout for that to happen in.
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