Overview of environment: Ms. Headrick’s classroom will be a safe learning environment to meet the needs of all children. For this assignment I am imagining that I am in a 6th grade classroom teaching Mathematics. I want to promote learning, integrity, and teamwork in this environment. My ideal classroom is made up and designed precisely to my dreams. Of course, I am very flexible and can incorporate the same philosophies into a dramatically different space. For all purposes of completing this assignment I am imagining a very large classroom with large windows that allows natural light into a classroom with cool colors of greens, purples, and blues. My room will be tiled and will have florescent lights, but hopefully with natural light I can keep them on low. To continue to explain my space it is important to notice 4 windows in my classroom. Two windows are located near the hallway and will be covered in sheer drapes to maintain privacy, but still link each classroom to the spirit of community of the school. The other 2 windows overlook a beautiful outdoor classroom, which I also have access to through a large door. This will allow outside activities to take place easily on beautiful days. My space in my room is very open with easy traffic patterns and a balance of decorations. I will have expectations posted in my room and inspirational posters, but it will not be visual overload. I want my space to be calming, not overwhelming.
Desk Area: A very important component of my room will be promoting of teamwork and unity. I feel that this can only be achieved if I am constantly teaching lessons that allow students to work together. The best way to achieve that goal is to have the students seated at group tables. These are designed for 4 students, but if a class is much larger than a 5th team member can easily be placed on the end. This space would allow for 25 students. I believe that because of the open floor plan another table could easily be added to take that number to 30. As a teacher I want to lead and guide the class, but most importantly I want them to feel comfortable to share their own ideas and opinions and to teach each other. Teamwork is a skill that is needed in the real world!
Private Teacher Space: My teacher space is also very important to me. In my classroom I am able to be in the back of the class and monitor the whole room very easily. I will keep my own printer on my desk and have instant hook up to my laptop, which will move back and forth between the smartboard hook up and my desk. The most important feature of my space is a plush chair for students. This is a space I will be able to conference individually with throughout each class period as a tool for assessment, extra help, or anything else private that might arise. This will be used often and for various things so that the students will not feel nervous about the “chair,” instead it is a comfortable place to chat. I want my students to know that I care about them and they can come to this area anytime for anything.
Teaching Space: Part of my teacher space is the whiteboard area. My class will have 2 large whiteboards and in the middle a Smart Board. This area is very large and allows me to keep notes up if I need to. One board will be typically used for the students to teach. Many times throughout the week I will have a student teach a problem from the homework to the rest of the class. This board will typically be reserved for that student teaching space! There will be a cart that will allow me to hook up my laptop to the smart board to the left of this area. I will also keep whiteboard markers and cleaner here. Any teacher material that I will need at the front of the room will be easily accessed from this cart. Another teacher space will be the small group table at the back. This area will be used anytime I feel I need to work with a group of students while the rest work at their seats. This may not be used a whole lot, but it is there if needed. The last part of my classroom that is mostly a teacher space is the storage cabinets in the back of the room. These allow me to store books, calculators, materials, etc. Above this area will be bulletin boards that I will decorate and change frequently.
Student Center: The last space in my classroom that is worth mentioning is the student center. This is where students will turn in assignments. There will be extra pencils and paper here for emergencies. A pencil sharpener will be located at the spot, too. Also each student will be assigned a calculator and these will be hanging from the wall at this area. On the wall above the student center will be the assignment board. Each day the student will write in their planner the tasks that will be covered in class and the homework for the night.
I believe that in Ms. Headrick’s 6th grade room teamwork will be easily promoted in an environment that demands for growth of a student educationally and spiritually. This will be a fun environment that my students will look forward to coming to everyday.