The Importance Of Classroom Environment, Organization And Management Of The Class
The idea of becoming a teacher was something that I always wanted to do since I was a schoolgirl in my elementary years. I always received positive reinforcement from my teachers, and I loved going to school and learning. What I’m realizing now, is that one of the most important aspects as to why I enjoyed going to school was that our beautiful and well-organized classrooms always made me feel so good to be at school. Moreover, they were always integrated with well-designed art, live plants, books, musical instruments where appropriate, and comfortable seating. Students certainly need to be in classrooms that inspire them, while being situated in classroom settings that are warm, comfortable, inviting, and filled with examples of work that they aspire to do. The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze a literature classroom in elementary school and describe it’s positive attributes as well as what specific changes I would recommend in order to maximize the literacy experience in this class. The article entitled, “Organizing Literacy classrooms for Effective Instruction, A Survival Guide” adeptly pointed out that, “the hub of an effective literacy classroom is the classroom library”. Accordingly, I was able to observe a classroom for 1st grade students in St. Patrick’s school in Huntington. St. Patrick's School is a private, Catholic school and has 670 students in grades PK, K-8. The classroom I observed was taught by a Sister Maureen, who is Nun in the Catholic Church, and it is my understanding that she has been a teacher for almost forty years. In connection with the article referenced above, I believe that sister Maureen was skilled in the “organization” and “management” of effective literacy instruction in the classroom environment.
Class Environment/Classroom Library
When you walk into the classroom, you immediately sense that the room itself is both it very appealing and inviting. Across the room from the entrance vantage point, this room has two windows that give children some sunlight, and four big tables whereby students can work in a group or independently. The teacher and her assistant also have their tables where they can review homework, class assignments, or give individual assistance to students who require additional instruction. Interestingly, there is an electronic white board where the teacher can present slideshows or videos, and a round carpet where students can sit and discuss academic topics while working in a group.
Most importantly, the literacy area is separated from the main study room by shelves that have illustrated and appealing book often found in bookstores. The significance of having the reading room separated and standing apart from the main classroom emphasizes the importance of reading and writing to the children. The central design of this literacy area successfully creates curiosity and helps spark an interest for children to desire to read. In addition, near the bookshelves there are additional shelves with assorted bins with student’s names on them, and also contains stuffed animals and various toys which assist kids associate their imagination with the required classroom learning. One interesting aspect of this area is that it also has different interactive games that children can enjoy literacy while competing in various games and competitions associated with the required learning material. Similarly, in proximity to the bookshelves there is a small white board that has additional texts enclosed which are related to prepared reading in class.
The middle of literature area is comprised of a big rectangular carpet, and a board with stickers on it to reward and acknowledge good readers and participants. This area stands out because it recognizes and rewards the students for hard work, achievement, and “progress” which fosters confidence and a good feeling about learning. Carpet/Meeting Area This classroom also has two carpets, and one is round car with a picture of different fishes and the other is a large blue rectangular carpet. The bright colors of the carpets are important in keeping the students engaged and feeling alert, and it these big powerful colors have a psychological underpinning that the students are in an important place. When it comes time for class discussions, Sister Maureen gathers her students on the large round carpet that serves as a destination spot and also a great anchor. Students cannot question where to sit, or spread out very far because the rug becomes the destination and the edges of the rug serve as a defined space for them to sit. Therefore, this design and set-up created by the teacher successfully keeps all of the students in close proximity and comfortably involved in the literacy experience. Furthermore, a big rectangular carpet produces a comfortable place for teachers and young students to expand their literature learning space onto the floor. The teacher uses big carpet for her read-aloud books. She takes a book from the shelf on the small white board and reads it while sitting on a rocker. It makes all of the literature area appear warm and cozy like a grandmother’s house. Also, all of the books are organized by different topics helping kids to choose the one they like. Near the book bin teacher has many toys and stuffed animals in it. I think it helps kids associate their imagination with reading. Carpets in the classroom can be used not only to make space cozy, but also to reduce noise from outside. Research shows that background noise from inside and outside the classroom negatively affects learning, especially for young children who require optimal conditions for hearing and comprehension. Carpet helps to reduce noises 10 times more compared to other flooring options. Finally, in regards to the student’s desks and how they were structured and positioned within the classroom, I believed that they were put together in small groups at small tables in the center of the room on purpose. The importance of this design allows the children a vantage point and access to “all areas” of the room. The centralized locations of the student’s desks enables them to have front row seats at the front chalkboard, the side white board, and the literacy, reading area as well.
Organization and management of the class
As I pointed out earlier, I was impressed with the organization and positioning of the classroom that I observed. However, after reading the article referenced earlier in connection with organizing literacy classrooms, I do have a few critiques that I believe would benefit this class and its overall learning experience. When I first walked in the classroom, I noticed numerous wall displays that were colorful and integrated throughout the room. As noted in the previous article, wall displays are most effective when students and teachers coproduce these. Consequently, classroom wall spaces need not be filled on the first day of school”. In this particular classroom setting, I noticed that none of the wall displays were “coproduced”. In fact, it was apparent that they were made only by the teacher and her assistant. In regards to classroom management skills is that this room became ‘messy’ instantly. In addition, although Sister Maureen was clearly experienced as an educator, I found that she was challenged in, “managing student mis-behaviors”. Although the positioning of the class and structure of the room was successful in managing student’s “transitions’ from different subjects and activities, I believe that this class could have ‘”amplified” the teacher’s expectations in regards to her student’s behavior better. Another area of concern that jumped out at me was the lack of a cohesive “digital experience”. Although the room has an interactive board designed for games, learning, and instruction, I thought that there was minimal digital learning. In today’s society, all young kids are almost always playing or even socializing through digital and computer means. Accordingly, from my perspective I think that by integrating more technology that these young kids use at home on a daily basis will only foster more comfort and familiarity with their learning experience.
Conclusion
“Understanding where your students are now and where they need to be at the end of the year is very important”. The classroom run by Sister Maureen was set up and designed artfully to create proper vantage points, structure, student transitions, and to garner feelings of comfort and warmness. What I derived from observing her class is that the literacy room is really the “foundation” and most important aspect of the room. The obvious reason in that in order to continue to develop students need to acquire skill in literacy. Sister Maureen’s class and the article referenced above highlights the importance of the organization and positioning of a classroom, and how it can positively impact how a child learns and “transitions’ to different experiences within the classroom setting.
