Students spend the majority of their day in the classroom. Thus, it is evident that the classroom's physical environment plays a key role in the atmosphere that is felt throughout the day. Consequently, the physical environment greatly affects students' behavior, self-image, and overall mood.
Classroom Wall Decorations
I believe that the classroom walls act as a third teacher. As such, I believe the classroom needs to display students' work as well as educational quotes and posters. By displaying students' work, their self-image and confidence increase as they take ownership and become proud of their work. Displaying educational quotes and posters also contribute to create a positive environment where learning takes place. The classroom walls also display the classroom's rules, homework, homework rules, and classroom jobs as the classroom environment present the kind of behavior and responsibilities we have in the classroom.
Classroom Organization
For learning to occur, it is important that the classroom is organized in order to minimize distractions and misbehavior. When the teacher and the classroom are organized, it sets the example for students to follow. In my classroom, everything is clearly labelled and organized. As such, students know exactly where everything can be found, as for their portfolios, homework drop-off, extra work, and textbooks.
Classroom Entrance
It is important to create a welcoming classroom, where students feel as they enter their second home. Therefore, an effective way to create such an environment is by having every student's name on the door. As well, it is useful to have the class line order near the door as students are always asked to line up in front of the door before leaving the classroom. In addition, I believe it is important to promote recycling and compose in the classroom, thus it is placed at the front of the classroom near the door. Moreover, I believe that having a poster which displays all religions at the class entrance to create a welcoming environment where students feel accepted and respected.
Technology Center
As I believe it is important to integrate technology into the curriculum, my classroom has a technology center with two computers and the classroom's SmartBoard.
Classroom Library
The classroom's library is an important center in my classroom as I believe that the classroom library greatly affects students' behavior and feeling towards reading. By providing a fun space, students associate reading as a fun activity. I also believe that it is important for the classroom library to include a variety of reading levels and reading interests so every student can have an easy time selecting a book to read. In addition, books should present the various cultures found amongst students so students can feel as their culture is part of the classroom.
Classroom Seating
The classroom seating reflects the atmosphere of the classroom. As I believe in creating a family-oriented and student-centered classroom, I believe in grouping students to create close relationships amongst students where they can easily work in groups to construct their learning. However, each group seating is well planned by taking many things into consideration. Firstly, students who are close friends are not seated together as to minimize the talking between them during class time as well as to have them meet and interact with other students. In addition, immigrant students who come from the same country are separated in order to encourage them to learn English, rather than communicate with their classmate in their homeland language. Furthermore, groups are well balance academically so advanced students can help and guide those who struggle during group work.
The classroom also has a "group work table," which the teacher uses to work in small groups with students who require additional help.
Extra Help Group Work Table