Session 2: Viewing a Model Classroom

Classroom Environment

Session 2: Viewing a Model Classroom:

Creating a Mental Model

Elements of Classroom Environment

Physical Space

Physical space refers to the arrangement of the classroom (furniture and wall space) and the organization of materials that support literacy and encourage independence in students.

The classroom arrangement can

Encourage varied encounters with print
Facilitate large and small group conversations (in a library area, comfortable reading spaces, meeting area with easel, or literacy centers)
Wall space can display attractive, organized, environmental print that reflects students' lives and backgrounds
Students' artwork and writing on the walls give students ownership in their classroom
Reading and writing materials can be arranged to be inviting and accessible.

Materials and Tools

Materials and tools are the objects and print materials used to engage students in literacy activities.

Examples include the following:

Word walls that foster word recognition and correct spelling
Attendance chart that builds name recognition and initial letter identification
Work boards or job charts that allow students to move independently through tasks
Enlarged poetry or other charts that model reading strategies and encourage independent practice
Pointers for reading that help students attend to and build concepts about print
Stamp pads and letter cubes that help students practice building words.

Techniques and Management Practices

Classroom routines, organizational techniques, and management practices can establish a productive learning environment that promotes literacy while also encouraging student independence and community responsibility.

Examples include:

Daily attendance using a pocket chart with students' names to encourage responsibility for checking in while building name recognition and letter awareness
Daily morning meetings that provide opportunities for language development and for specific instruction in reading and writing
Classroom jobs
Opportunities for student leadership of daily routines.

Tone and Atmosphere

The tone and atmosphere of a classroom are conveyed through the teacher's voice, word choice, body language, and physical positioning, as well as through the arrangement of the room and organization of classroom routines.

The tone and atmosphere can communicate the following:

Belief that all students can learn and are capable of taking responsibility
Enthusiasm for all forms of literacy
Clear purpose of each instructional activity
Clarity of expectations
Appreciation of individual differences
Responsiveness and flexibility.

A teacher sitting next to the students on the floor, or helping shy students communicate their work through drawings are situations that create such an inclusive atmosphere.

Classroom Arrangement
Smartboard
The Meeting Rug
Teacher Table
Create Zone
Dramatic Play
Technology Table
Library Rug
Library
Classroom Environment

Student Supply Shelf
Table Bins
Manipulatives

Checklist for Classroom Set-Up

Traffic Pattern

What may seem to work when the scholars are not in the room may fail when there are 25 bodies moving at the same time. Taking the time to brainstorm all the transitions and walk through them with your team will help to ensure that the traffic patterns work and the materials are easily accessible to students. This is especially true in the younger classes where the scholars view the world from a very different height perspective than we do as adults.

Transistions to consider include:

Small group to meeting space
Desk/table to meeting space
Desk/table to library
Desk/table to content materials

Traffic pattern considerations include:

Open
Allows for freedom of student movement
Materials are accessible to scholars
Think through fully the many transitions that scholars will make each day in the environment

Whole Class Meeting Area

This will be designed with the space in each classroom in mind. The model classrooms will have either a permanent meeting area or a plan for how to quickly and efficiently create a meeting area. The easel is important but teachers can use the SMART board for their anchors and then print the anchors to share with scholars for reference.

Whole Class Meeting Area considerations include:

Comfortable community circle
Audience seating arrangements
Chart easel/easel pads
Smart board
Rug
Markers and chart paper

Small Group Instruction Space

It is really important for the space to provide a clear view of the classroom so that the teacher can scan the room when teaching a small group.

Small Group Instruction Space considerations include:

Table clear
Tools organized and labeled
Accessible to scholars

Scholar Work Space Arrangement

Scholar Work Space Arrangement considerations include:

Tables/desks are arranged in clusters to support collaboration
Students are physically comfortable
Feet touching ground
Adequate personal space
There are no areas that cannot be readily observed by the teacher
A "take five space" is clearly defined

All Tools (pencils, sticky notes, highlighters, writing paper, notebooks, etc)

Organized
Labeled
Accessible for students to self select
Book boxes or other organization for good fit books, readers and writer's workshop materials

Classroom Library

Bucketed all covers facing foward
Space allotted for library rules and shopping schedule
Some labeled by genre
Some labeled by level
Some labeled by topic
Tracks reading history of class and individuals
Encourages peer recommendations
Meets classroom library book title recommendations

Math Manipulatives

Organized
Labeled
Accessible for students

Bulletin Boards

Most boards at the start of the year will be covered but not complete. This sends a powerful message to scholars that this is their classroom and they will have a part in constructing the environment. Most are clean and free to invite student construction/participation.

Bulletin Board considerations include:

Clean and free to invite student construction/participation
Covered
Bordered
Free of teacher made materials
May have a title or guiding question

Teacher Space

Teachers need a space to organize, plan, assess and provide written feedback to scholars. However, we want to make sure that the space taken up for that purpose does not take an exorbitant amount of the limited classroom space. It is also important to realize that how you keep your space is a model for how scholars will keep theirs.

Teacher Space considerations include:

Does not exceed the space per student
Organized and neat

Postings

Purpose/Big Skill of Unit
Lesson plans posted on clipboard near classroom entrance
Code of conduct is displayed in the classroom, along with accompanying expectations
Core values as they are introduced
Greeter script
Agenda is clearly posted
Student work is on display accompanied by an explanation of the assignment, objectives and criteria for successful completion (i.e., rubric)
Student growth displays are student driven and up to date.

Materials Not Currently Being Used

Either not stored in room or boxed and put in closet
Skirt a table and store in boxes underneath
Limited/NO displays that are commercially made
Nothing should be posted that is not directly connected to the current learning units or being referenced by scholars to support ongoing skill development.

The Meeting Rug

Small Group Table

Student Work Tables

Student Supply Shelf
Student Table Bins

Books by Level, Big Books
Books by Genre
Classroom Library

Manipulatives

Bulletin Board
Partner Reading Position
Partner Conversation
Graphing
Writer's Write
How do I know if my writing is done?
Visualizing Anchor Chart
How to get into Open Circle

Building, ADA and Fire Codes

The floor space needs to be clear for five feet around any entrance.
Nothing can be hung on the door and you should leave a 12 inch radius around the door empty. (On inside and outside) *This excludes Emergency Fire Exit Sign
No ropes and/or strings can be hung in a clothesline manner anywhere.
Nothing can be hung on or across the windows or blinds.
Nothing can be hung from or attached to the ceiling or electrical fixtures (i.e. fans, plugs, etc.)
No more than 50% of each wall can be covered with school materials.
All hallway displays must be contained to bulletin boards, with everything securely fastened and nothing protruding or flapping.
No appliances are permitted (i.e. microwaves, coffee makers, etc.)
Classroom door may not be propped open at any time.
Emergency Exits are clearly identified
Emergency Response Kit is easily accessible.

Maintenance Expectations

The room must be clean and orderly at all times but should be monitored specifically before and after meals and before leaving at the end of the period / day.
All desks are clean.
All trash is off the floor.
All learning materials are off the floor (books, pencils, etc.)
Lunch trays are neatly stacked next to the trash barrel near the classroom door after meals.
All chairs are stacked at the end of each day.
Help preserve our facility.
Do not attach anything to walls, floors or ceilings with staple guns, duct tape, nails or screws.
Never place anything in door jams to hold doors open

Classroom Technology Guidelines

Interactive whiteboard station, speakers, cables, a USB TV tuner box, and a place for your laptop is intact
Projector is turned off when not in use.
Classroom laptops are plugged in and charging when not in use.

Classroom Environment