I have always loved walking into classrooms and seeing the different set ups and children's work around the room that liven up the space. Not having had a classroom of my own yet, I always thought about decorating my own classroom and how much fun it would be. When I would picture my own classroom in my mind, I would think about all the students' work that would be around the room, the colorful material bins with perfectly cut labels, visually appealing, simple charts hanging on the walls... All these things that impress someone who were to walk into the classroom and would give the impression that this was a "nice, clean" place that students come to learn everyday. However, it wasn't until this past week that I realized that I had the wrong idea this entire time.
Sharon Taberski, writer of On Solid Ground, explains the importance of creating a purposeful environment for the students. "The organization and look of our rooms, the materials we use, and the way we structure the day send a powerful message to children and parents about our attitudes toward teaching and our expectations for our children. When we create classroom environments that are attractive, comfortable and purposeful, providing materials that support our work with children, structuring our time to support our goals, then we'll surely reap the results of our effects" (33).
After reflecting on Taberski's point, I began to think about my intention in setting up a "nice" classroom. I was wanting to create a place that was visually attractive but wasn't thinking about how the set up and design of the classroom could serve as a tool for students' learning. A classroom is a place that students come to learn, and when we utilize its fullest and truest value, it can be used to accommodate, facilitate, and challenge children's thinking and understanding. It's come to my attention that it's not about decorating a classroom, but considering whether the work or materials around the room serve a purpose to learning.
Sharon Taberski, writer of On Solid Ground, explains the importance of creating a purposeful environment for the students. "The organization and look of our rooms, the materials we use, and the way we structure the day send a powerful message to children and parents about our attitudes toward teaching and our expectations for our children. When we create classroom environments that are attractive, comfortable and purposeful, providing materials that support our work with children, structuring our time to support our goals, then we'll surely reap the results of our effects" (33).
After reflecting on Taberski's point, I began to think about my intention in setting up a "nice" classroom. I was wanting to create a place that was visually attractive but wasn't thinking about how the set up and design of the classroom could serve as a tool for students' learning. A classroom is a place that students come to learn, and when we utilize its fullest and truest value, it can be used to accommodate, facilitate, and challenge children's thinking and understanding. It's come to my attention that it's not about decorating a classroom, but considering whether the work or materials around the room serve a purpose to learning.