How to Design a Perfect Classroom

Designing a learning space can be fun and rewarding.

The ideal school classroom is a a place that fosters an active learning environment by incorporating a design that enables collaborative (group) learning while allowing for individual learning differences. Children are more cooperative when they follow established routines, and the classroom setup should reflect that. In addition, students should have easy access to the resources they need--books, paper, reference materials, etc.--so they take an active part in their own learning. The classroom design should also foster communication between students, parents and the teacher.

Things You'll Need

• Classroom furniture
• Painted table
• Colored folders
• Labels
• Bins

Instructions

1. Set up a table near the classroom door, preferably painted in a bright color. This is the place for students and parents to communicate with the teacher, and for the teacher to communicate with students and parents. Bins can be set up for such things as signed homework, notes to go home and assignments handed in.

2. Think outside of the box when placing student desks and chairs. Arrange them in a circle, or try placing them in groups of four or six. These days, most classroom furniture can be easily moved, so try out a few different setups. The guiding principle should be to give students an opportunity to work and learn together.

3. Create an area where you can have a few minutes of uninterrupted time to think, hold a conference with one of your students, send a note to a parent or prepare materials for the next lesson. Your students should know that if you are sitting in a certain spot, interruption is prohibited except in an emergency.

4. Design centers for reading, math, science, art and other subjects if you have the space. These centers should have a variety of materials in different media, such as computers, books, and audio tapes. Students should know that they can visit these centers when they are finished with their work. This is a way to accommodate multiple intelligences and encourage students to learn visually, aurally and kinesthetically,. Use colored folders with labels to indicate different subject matter or different levels of activity (grade level, easy or advanced).

5. Make sure there is a table for a Writers' Workshop where students can get help editing their written work from other students or from the teacher. For younger students, a meeting area for circle time is appropriate. This space can be used for show and tell, story time, or a discussion of the season and the weather.

Tips & Warnings

• Try out your classroom plan, but don't be afraid to alter it or try something new later. Children may enjoy a change.

• Make sure your designs complement your establish routines, so students may comply with the rules easily.

• Every group is different, so don't expect that the classroom setup you created for last year's class will automatically fit this year's students.

References

• Scholastic: A Learning Space that Works